Be Safe Be seen

Hi-vis clothing is one most effective and yet, economical safety care item you can invest in.

High visibility safety wear for construction workers, farmers, bikers or for anyone who enjoys life outdoors makes complete and absolute sense.  High-visibility clothing is worn to increase a person's visibility and therefore prevent accidents caused by persons not being seen. On a dark lane on a winter’s night the reflective material in your cosy body warmer may actually save your life.  Many drivers have said a quick thankful prayer as the headlights catch the reflections of a dog walker or a teenage cyclist in the gloom of a November dusky evening.    For the person cycling or walking the roads, their eyes have become accustomed to the dimming light, and they may be totally unaware of how they blend into the landscape and become invisible for motorists.  Of course, some people are acutely aware of the dangers on not being seen on the road and will even make sure that their wee dog wears a hi-vis jacket.

At The Dandy’s’, Derrynoose we stock a wide range of Hi Vis clothing and we keep it very competitively priced.  From the standard Hi Vis parka to a classier bomber jacket, there is no excuse for not being safe and beings seen.  Our high quality, high visibility hooded two-tone sweatshirt, offering class 2 EN ISO 20471 protection and manufactured in brushed polyester is a popular item with construction and farmer workers.  Conforming to the European standards for high visibility means you will be conspicuous and visible while operating machinery or working in potentially dangerous environments.   It’s a simple and inexpensive way of looking after yourself, your family and your employees and we can all thank Bob Switzer who turned a negative into a positive way back in the thirties.

Bob Switzer was an American who dreamed of becoming a doctor, but he dreams were cut short when he was injured in an industrial accident while unloading crates at the Heinz ketchup factory in California.   During his long recuperation he invented a fluorescent paint and the first high-visibility clothing.  Apparently, he used his wife’s wedding dress to fashion the clothing, but there are few accolades for her contribution to his innovative and life saving invention.  Glasgow railway workers were the first to use hi-vis workwear in the UK and it is safe say that the hi-visibility jacket is everywhere now. From Gardai to Bikers and from car park attendants to joggers.  The high vis jacket is a life saver.

No one would ever argue that HI-Vis is fashionable.  In 2008, the designer Karl Lagerfeld appeared in a French public information campaign attired in a fluorescent waistcoat above the slogan: "It's yellow, it's ugly, it doesn't go with anything, but it could save your life".  We think that the Regatta stretch orange jacket looks pretty dapper and as classy as a hi-vis jacket gets. .  But high visibility clothing has always been about safety first.   Think of it as personal protective equipment.  There are conflicting arguments about making hi-vis jackets compulsory for cyclists and while governments have not yet agreed on that, there are many workplaces and situations where the hi-vis is compulsory.  For most of us, we will not need a law enforcing the use of reflective clothing in potentially dangerous situations. Its very simple. If we need to be seen to stay safe and well then, a comfy high visibility jacket is a small price to pay, compared to the high price of an avoidable accident.

Check out our range of hi vis clothing at a relatively small price here