Safety Specifications
Only YELLOW and Orange hi vis vests are en471 spec by law.
Red vests, green vests and all other colours do not meet en471 specification

Below are some of the required codes and safety explainations for various items of Hi Visibility and Personal Protective Equipment.

High Visbility

 

EN471 - Specification for High Visibility Clothing
There are 3 classes of garment type based on the levels of conspicuity they provide. On all garments the retro-reflective tape must not be less than 50mm wide.

	CLASS 3 THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF CONSPICUITY Minimum background material 0.80m2 Minimum retro-reflective material 0.20m2
	CLASS 2 INTERMEDIATE PROTECTION Minimum background material 0.50m2 Minimum retro-reflective material 0.13m2
	CLASS 1 LOW LEVEL PROTECTION Minimum background material 0.14m2 Minimum retro-reflective material 0.10m2

Selection of the most suitable class of garment is based on your risk assessment. However, in certain situations guidance is given, such as if you are working on the highways the 'Safety at Street Works and Road works' and the 'Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 8' provide information on what type and class of protective clothing you should be wearing.

EN 1150

This is the standard non-professional use for example, jogging, cycling or other traffic related interaction activities.  This would include sports users who need high visibility for cycling, road running, driving etc.

Whilst EN471 specifies a set of requirements for high visibility warning garments for professional use in the work place, the EN 1150 standard provides details for non-professional use, together with criteria for minimum area’s and placement of reflective material to achieve enhanced conspicuity. Garments conforming to these standards are capable of signalling the users presence visually, under any light conditions, both by day and under illumination by vehicle headlights in the dark.

Non-professional use, EN1150, is considered to be suitable for children, cyclist and pedestrian training activities, walking to the bus etc.

Each garment must consist of both background material, (luminous) and retroreflective materials, (reflective bands and braces). The background material provides for day light conspicuity whilst the retroreflective provides for night time visibility.

EN1150 can either be satisfied by the minimum area of background and retroreflective materials or, depending on the height of the wearer, the combined performance area. 

 

EN 470-1:1995 has been replaced by EN ISO 11611:2007 “Protective clothing for use in welding and
allied processes”.
EN 531:1995 is being replaced by EN ISO 11612:2008 “Protective clothing. Clothing to protect against
heat and flame”.
EN 533:1997 has been replaced by EN ISO 14116:2008 “Protective clothing. Protection against heat
and flame. Limited flame spread materials, material assemblies and clothing”.

All three standards have been listed as a Harmonised Standard in the EU Official Journal list of
harmonised PPE standards (5th June 2009).

· EN ISO 11611: Fabric meets EN 470 Tear Strength or EN ISO 11611 Tear Strength is = 15 N
· EN ISO 11612: EN ISO 11612 Tear Strength is = 7.5 N
If Labels and User Information list the standard number they must also list the Clause Exclusions.

SAFETY FOOTWEAR SPECIFICATION

SAFETY CLOTHING SPECIFICATION

SAFETY HEADGEAR

  Click here for advice on safety helmet use and storage, shelf life etc.

SAFETY EYEWEAR

EN166
Personal eye protection
Eye-protection equipment is marked with a series of numbers and/or symbols according to the field of use, the protection capabilities and performance characteristics of the eye-protector.( Note : where the ocular and the frame form a single unit, e.g. cover-spectacles, goggles, all markings are on the frame. The marking relative to oculars precedes the marking relative to the frame and the markings are separated by a hyphen.In this case the manufacturers identification mark is not repeated in the marking.)

Example of Marking
Ocular marking: 3-1.2 [S] 1 F
Frame marking: [S] EN 66-F

HEARING PROTECTION

SAFETY GLOVES

Safety Helmets and head protection

Selection & ANSI Z89.1-1997 
The latest standards for protective Hard Hats are contained in ANSI Personal Protection -- Protective Headwear for Industrial Workers - Requirements ANSI Z89.1-1997.

Safety headwear (e.g. hard hats) shall be worn by persons in any area in which there is a potential hazard to the head from falling, flying or thrown objects, or from other harmful contacts (e.g. electrical). The standard provides minimum performance requirements 1) to reduce the forces of impact and penetration from falling objects and 2) where applicable, to provide protection from electrical shock hazards. A flammability test is also administered.

The standard provides requirements for two "Types" and three "Classes" of headwear. Each Type and Class of head protector is intended to provide protection against specific hazardous conditions. An understanding of these conditions will help in selecting the right Hard Hat for the particular situation.

Types & Classes

TYPE I - The typical hard hat - provides top of head protection from impact and penetration.

• TYPE II - Helmets provide some degree of top of head and off-center protection.
• CLASS E (Formerly Class B): Electrical (utility service, non-conducting) intended to protect against falling objects plus reduce the danger of exposure to high voltage electrical shocks and burns. Class E Hard Hats are tested for force transmission first, then tested at 20,000 volts for 3 minutes, with 9 milliamps maximum current leakage; then tested at 30,000 volts, with no burn through permitted. This Class is used extensively by employees engaged in electrical work.
• CLASS G (Formerly Class A.): General Use (limited voltage - non-conducting) intended to protect against falling objects plus reduce the danger of exposure to low voltage electrical conductors. Class G Hard Hats are tested at 2,200 volts for 1 minute, with 3 milliamps maximum leakage. This Class is widely used in mining, construction, shipbuilding, tunneling, lumbering, and manufacturing. CLASS C (No Class Change): Special service (no voltage protection) hard hats are designed for lightweight comfort and impact protection and not intended to provide protection from electrical conductors. Class C Hard Hats are not tested for electrical resistance.
• Class C Hard Hats are used in certain construction and manufacturing occupations, oil fields, refineries, and chemical plants where there is no danger from electrical hazards or corrosion and on occasion where there is a possibility of bumping the head against a fixed object.

Flammability Testing is performed on hard hats to confirm protection of 1550*F flame impingement for 5 seconds and to ensure there is no visible flame on hard hat after 5 seconds of flame removal.

Inspection & Maintenance for Hard Hats

Outer Shell - DO's & DON'TS 
DO:

• Inspect headwear before each use for any visible signs of dents, cracks, gouges, penetration, chalking, loss of gloss or any other signs of damage prior to use that might reduce the degree of safety originally provided. Users are cautioned that if unusual conditions occur, such as extreme high or low temperatures or if there are signs of abuse or mutilation of the hard hat or any component, the margin of safety may be reduced. Where damage or defects are detected, the Hard Hat should be discarded and replaced with a new unit.
• Replace Hard Hat even when hairline cracks start to appear.
• Replace Hard Hat that has been struck by a forceful object, even if no damage is obvious.
• Remove and destroy any hard hat if its protective abilities are in doubt.

Note: Safety headwear will deteriorate over time from exposure to sunlight and other chemicals. The normal service life of a hard hat is considered to be 5 years from the date of manufacture which can be found permanently marked on the inside surface of the hard hat shell.

DO NOT:

• Do not drill holes, alter or modify the shell. Alterations may reduce the protection provided by the hard hat.
• Do not use paint, solvents, gasoline, chemicals, or harsh cleaning materials on the shell. These can make plastic headwear brittle, more susceptible to cracks and reduce protection by physically weakening it or negating electrical resistance. Paint can also hide cracks that may develop. Instead, use OccuLux or OccuLux II Reflective and Regular logos to customize or reinforce your graphics.
• Do not use winter liners that contain metal or electrically conductive material under Class G or E Vulcan Hard Hats.
• Do not use metal labels on Class G or E Hard Hats.
• Do not transport headwear in rear windows of vehicles since sunlight and extreme heat may adversely affect the degree of protection.
• Do not draw the chin strap over the brim or peak of the Hard Hat.
• Do not wear Hard Hat backwards. The peak should always face forward. .

The Suspension - DO's & DON'TS 
DO:

• Inspect suspension before every use. It's life span is affected by normal use, heat, chemicals and ultraviolet rays. Where damage or defects are detected, the suspension should be discarded and replaced with a new unit. Hard Hat Suspensions will deteriorate over time from exposure to sunlight and other chemicals. The normal service life of the Suspension is considered to be 1 year of regular use. Where use is intermittent, the suspension may last longer.
• Look closely for cracked, torn or frayed suspension material or adjustment slots.
• Check the suspension lugs carefully. Long periods of normal use can damage the Suspension. Perspiration and hair oils can speed up the deterioration of Suspension materials.
• Replace the Suspension if it has torn or broken threads.
• Adjust headband size so that headwear will stay on when the wearer is bending over, but not so tight that it leaves a mark on the forehead.
• Ensure that the Suspension is in good condition. The main purpose of the Suspension is to absorb energy.

DO NOT:

Do not put anything between the Suspension and the shell. There must be clearance inside the headwear while it is being worn. In case of a blow to the head, that space helps absorb the shock.

Do not mix different manufacturer Suspension types and hard hats. Replacement suspension harnesses shall be from the same manufacturer and for the same model of hard hat. Cleaning Clean Vulcan Hard Hat shell and suspension regularly according to the OccuNomix instructions. Immerse in hot water (Approximately 140*Fahrenheit/60* Celsius) with mild anti-bacterial detergent for one minute. Scrub and rinse in clear hot water.

What Are Employer's Responsibilities for Hard Hats?

Assess Workplace For Hazards 
As an employer, you must assess your workplace to determine if hazards are present that require the use of Hard Hats or other head protection. If such hazards are present, you must establish a complete safety protection program including selection, fit testing, training, maintenance and inspection.

High Visbility

Note: This product has specification Yes. A fuller explanation of the standards in this area are shown below.

EN471 - Specification for High Visibility Clothing
There are 3 classes of garment type based on the levels of conspicuity they provide. On all garments the retro-reflective tape must not be less than 50mm wide.

	CLASS 3 THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF CONSPICUITY Minimum background material 0.80m2 Minimum retro-reflective material 0.20m2
	CLASS 2 INTERMEDIATE PROTECTION Minimum background material 0.50m2 Minimum retro-reflective material 0.13m2
	CLASS 1 LOW LEVEL PROTECTION Minimum background material 0.14m2 Minimum retro-reflective material 0.10m2

Selection of the most suitable class of garment is based on your risk assessment. However, in certain situations guidance is given, such as if you are working on the highways the 'Safety at Street Works and Road works' and the 'Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 8' provide information on what type and class of protective clothing you should be wearing.

Protection Against Foul Weather

EN343:2003
Performance criteria governs the resistance to water penetration and water vapour resistance (breathability) of the garment.

Protection Against Heat And Flame

Note: This product has specification EN533. A fuller explanation of the standards in this area are shown below.

EN533
Limited flame spread properties (being superseded by BSEN ISO 14116).
EN531
Protective clothing for workers exposed to heat.
EN470-1
Protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes (being superseded by BS EN 11611:2007).
Different performance criteria for each of these standards have relevance to both fabrics and garments separately to help determine the suitability of garment. ENV50354, CLC/TS 50354, IEC 61482-1, IEC 61482-1-2 These are all standards which have been used or are being used in the constantly evolving field of protection against electric arc.

Electrostatic Performance (Anti-static)

Note: This product has specification prEN1149-5:2006. A fuller explanation of the standards in this area are shown below.

prEN1149-5:2006
Protective clothing with electrostatic properties. The series of ŒAntistatic Standards¹, 1149 have been updated and the parts are separated into test methods and performance requirements.

Chemical Protection - Reduced Spray

Note: This product has specification EN13034 Type 6. A fuller explanation of the standards in this area are shown below.

EN13034 Type 6
EN13034:2005 Type 6 (PB) Partial body.
EN1513 Limited use protection for parts of the body.