High Visibility Vest
Wear The Vest!
Recent Federal OSHA rules require us to wear a high visibility garment when working in, on or near certain highways. Our policy is to wear a high visibility vest or the high visibility coat anytime we’re working where vehicles are traveling. That means if we’re working a wreck on any street or highway, or if we’re tending to a subject down next to the road and we’re having to get in and out of the truck parked in said roadway; you better have the high visibility on! Students or observers without a high vis vest or coat must remain inside the truck. If the EMS crew has extra high vis available to loan the 3rd person it’s OK to do that, but without it they stay inside the unit.
Places where the high visibility is required; public streets, roads, highways, interstates, boulevards, avenues; any public thoroughfare where motor vehicles are normally operated.
The high visibility is required day and night.
Here’s why…
There are 3 people in these two pictures. One with our winter uniform coat, one with a turn-out coat and one with a high vis vest. Which one will get run over on the road?
Notice how much easier it is to the see the person wearing the high vis compared to the regular uniform coat. It works during the daylight too!
Features of the High Vis Vest
« Size adjustment is accomplished using the Velcro straps on both sides. Keep it snug to prevent it from being caught on equipment, mirrors, and passing vehicles. Imagine what could happen if your flopping vest gets hooked on something attached to a passing vehicle! Down the road you go!
« To help prevent an entanglement, the vest features break-away connections at the shoulder. Don’t rely on that. Keep it snug!