High Viz or not?

[feary]

We work in a distribution warehouse. We do not have a forklift. We just use hand pallet trucks. However in other warehouses in the buisness park, they have fort lifts to load Lorrie’s. Lorries come and go in the buisness park and we have 2 warehouses that are opposite ends of the park.
Do the staff have to wear high viz when walking across the buisness park and in our warehouse?

[grim72]

I'd suggest yes when walking across the park - if they are in/around areas with traffic then the hivis helps pedestrians be seen by drivers and helps them stand out. They may not be essential in your own warehouse with zero traffic but they are lightweight and cheap and can help with visibility so unless there was a real dislike for them and staff are complaining then I'd probably still issue them and ask for them to be worn in the warehouse too. Just my opinion but I'm sure others will chip in too. At the end of the day, PPE should be the last resort when it comes to hazard control and prevention.

[Alexis]

Hello and welcome feary.

I think high viz jackets are the least of the worries your people should be concerned about.

It is the law, that if there is a shared space such as you describe, then all concerned parties should have undertaken and have in place an agreed risk assessment. If not and someone is injured, both/all parties would be liable.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/199 ... on/17/made

There are so many different risks to assess in your scenario. The use of high viz jackets is at least something visual to allow the transport movement operators/drivers (even hand pallets) within the area to see pedestrians. Little ask of employees to save potential injury or even killed.

In short, yes, they should be wearing appropriate high viz jackets for their own safety.

Lots of information within the following sites.

https://www.hse.gov.uk/workplacetranspo ... rating.htm

https://www.hse.gov.uk/workplacetranspo ... layout.htm

[Maltman Dan]

Don’t forget to risk assess the introduction of hi-viz vests either. Need to consider if there are risks of entanglement or getting trapped on fixed or stationary items. If there are I would look at hi-viz jumpers or t-shirts as hi-viz vests are generally worn undone and flapping around.