Reflective shirts are designed to complement safety vests, providing coverage of the upper body in high-visibility material. As the light intensity of daylight diminishes, the retroreflective properties of a neon reflective shirt, coupled with retroreflective tape, serve to project the wearer's presence onto the road, thereby enhancing their visibility to other road users. Research has demonstrated that the utilisation of bright, reflective attire can significantly enhance the visibility of workers during nocturnal hours, thereby mitigating the risk of accidents. For night shifts, personnel are often attired in yellow-green or orange shirts with horizontal reflective bands. In order to ensure that operators of vehicles and machinery can locate workers in low-light conditions with ease, it is imperative that these shirts meet the requirements of ANSI/ISEA 107.
Key factors in choosing reflective shirts:
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ANSI Class Ratings: In order to ensure optimal nighttime visibility, such as during highway construction, it is recommended to opt for Class 3 garments. The aforementioned shirts are characterised by their incorporation of substantial fluorescent background material, in conjunction with broad reflective bands. This combination is designed to ensure 360° detection. Conversely, lower classes exhibit a reduced capacity for reflection.
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Fit and Comfort: The shirt should be lightweight, moisture-wicking, and breathable for outdoor work. A significant proportion of shirts classified within the ANSI category are composed of 100% polyester knit fabric, including such varieties as bird's-eye or mesh. These materials are characterised by their ability to effectively wick away perspiration and facilitate rapid drying processes. In conditions of elevated temperature, cotton blends or special cooling fabrics can assist in the regulation of body temperature, whilst simultaneously maintaining the ability to appear resplendent in a dark environment.
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Durability: Reflective shirts of a high quality are manufactured using robust polyester materials and durable stitching techniques. The reflective tape (typically 3M Scotchlite) is affixed through either sewing or the application of heat, ensuring durability in the face of repeated laundering. This durability ensures the reflective elements maintain their brightness over the course of numerous washes.
For companies providing outfitting for night crews, the option of custom reflective shirts, incorporating logos or names, is a consideration that may be taken to preserve visibility. The application of thermal transfer printing allows for the incorporation of any design, ensuring that the print is both vibrant and flexible. It is imperative to note that following the printing process, these garments must undergo a thorough washing procedure. This should be conducted in a cold water setting, utilising a mild detergent. It is strongly recommended that these garments be hand-washed whenever feasible, in order to preserve the integrity of the design.
In practice, a night-shift crew may opt to wear a reflective shirt underneath or in lieu of a vest. It is evident that both of these phenomena serve the same overarching objective, which is to gain visibility. Indeed, a significant proportion of workers opt to combine these two elements of personal protective equipment, donning a mesh safety vest over a brightly coloured shirt. In order to achieve optimal outcomes, it is imperative to ensure that the colour of the shirt is in harmony with that of the vest, thereby guaranteeing that the amalgamated attire complies with the requisite standards of visibility. It is recommended that the Reflective Shirts collection or the Reflective Vest category of CustomTok are consulted in order to locate ANSI-approved attire designed with the purpose of ensuring night-time safety.
