Hi Visibility Clothing

High-visibility clothing is a type of personal protective equipment that has highly reflective properties. These properties help keep workman safe in potentially dangerous situations.

A European Standard for high-visibility clothing deals with high-Visibility Specifications.
There are three levels of protection:

• Class 1 Class 1 defines the lowest visibility level e.g. High-visibility trousers with two 5 cm reflective bands around each leg. These become Class 3 when worn with a Class 3 jackets.
• Class 2 The class 2 defines an intermediary visibility level. Example: vests. Two 5 cm bands of reflective around body or on one 5 cm band around body and braces to both shoulders.
• Class 3 the class 3 defines the highest level of visibility. Example jacket with long sleeves, jacket and trouser suit. Two 5 cm bands of reflective tape around the body, arms and braces over both shoulders.

At Granite we pride ourselves in standing out for High Vis clothing, especially when it comes to quality, price and more importantly conforming to the EN471 standards. Our many years in this industry means we have vast knowledge and expertise on the high Vis vest market, therefore when buying from Granite you can be sure you have been supplied with the highest quality available.

Whether you’re working in hot or cold weather, Hi-Vis jackets and Hi-Vis waistcoats keep you safe and at the right temperature. Our comprehensive range includes the Hi-Vis Bodywarmer, shirts, jackets, fleeces and coats. Sometimes you need a lighter touch and that’s why we sell our Hi-Visibility Poloshirt which will keep you cool when you’re working hard.

This range is suitable for all sizes, shapes and working conditions and is guaranteed to offer visibility and protection to workers for many years.

For further information on our range of high Vis clothing call us on: 01159640111 or alternatively message us via our contact page, we'd love to hear from you!

Waterproof Thermal Overalls

So what is the choice? - Which ones should I go for?
This depends very much on the activity and the amount of physical effort you will be expending. Some are warmer than others and some of the outer fabrics breathe more efficiently.
Let's start at the least expensive. Both retailing at £49.95 + VAT. There are two good entry level products to choose from:-

The first is the Dickies waterproof and padded overalls:

http://www.graniteworkwear.com/p-Waterproof_padded_overall-158.aspx these are great for driving around on an ATV or the occasional pressure washing. The thermal insulation is quite thick and the outer fabric is not breathable so we would not advice running about too much but great for keeping you warm. There are added features such as the reflective tapes, a padded hood with a Velcro closure and some light reinforcement at the knees.

The second is the Baleno Arctic coveralls:

http://www.graniteworkwear.com/p-Baleno_Arctic_Overalls-7764.aspx new to us this autumn, we have had some good feedback particularly from those north of the border who have had to deal with some torrid weather. Not quite as thermally insulating as the Dickies but with a more durable outer waterproof fabric and a better construction. These would outlast the Dickies and whilst you derriere would always look big in lined overalls - the fit of these would make you look less of a Michelin man. Features include a wind and waterproof integral hood that folds away in the collar and zipped and gusseted ankles to aid in the removal of boots. This would also double as a leisure garment more readily than the Dickies.

The next step up gets us into the High Vis overalls and there is a choice of two excellent products.

The first is the Pulsarail PR505:

http://www.graniteworkwear.com/p-Pulsarail_PR505_High_Vis_Overall-7921.aspx with its accompanying Thinsulate liner, G100/COV that zips into the waterproof outer http://www.graniteworkwear.com/p-Pulsarail_G100COV_Thinsulate_Liner_for_PR505-7922.aspx. The outer is a class 3 breathable and waterproof overall that is also EN471 Class 3 high vis and GORT 3279 Rail use approved. This is a great all year round product that can be used without its liner in the warmer months and then have its Thinsulate liner zipped in for a snug winter warmer. This is also great for laundering the two parts separately and not having to wait too long for them to dry. No corners have been cut with the accessories. This is a real all rounder that covers all of the bases - unless you are going hunting.
The last is saced for those that really feel the cold.
The Sioen Rabul 5616:

A favourite for those that work on onshore windfarms; steel stock holding yards and anywhere else you are likely to find wet brass monkeys.  http://www.graniteworkwear.com/p-Flexothane_Rabul_5616_High_Vis_Thermal_Overalls-7878.aspx & http://www.graniteworkwear.com/p-Flexothane_Rabul_5616_High_Vis_Yellow_Thermal_Overalls-7879.aspx there is an option of Yellow / Navy High vis or Orange / Navy High vis. Both EN471 High vis and with a class 3 waterproof and class 2 breathable outer fabric in Flexothane Classic. These are the only overalls with a stretchable outer fabric that gives easily with the body and has ergonomically cut sleeves for an excellent range of movement. The fabric is well proven over many years of use. These really are the best on the market and the best priced on the web. Just how much would you pay to stay warm and dry all day?

Pulsarail products

Lots of new items feeding through on the development side later in the year – just in time for the next big freeze! Our range of Pulsar and Pulsarail high vis clothing has sold exceptionally well this last year. Cotton and polyester yarn prices have hit record highs which have impacted strongly on the raw fabric price. This has been controlled very well and we have seen minimal increases reaching the retail side. So much so that the cheeper end of the competition has not had the success in controlling their costs. This has resulted in a significant closing of prices between the cheep and nasty side of the supply chain and our own range of Pulsar and Pulsarail. Several of the corporate contracts that we are supplying have been commenting on this and have made the step up in quality by purchasing our own plain, embroidered and printed High Vis range.

The availability of Cotton has been significantly reduced by the floods in Pakistan (a second year of cotton crop failure), flooding in Australia, drought in central and northern China so we anticipate more increases in cotton prices up to the third quarter of the year. I am sure that I don’t have to remind anyone of the oil price increases over the last few months. This has and will continue to impact adversely on synthetic yarn prices such as polyester, nylon and some of the more exotic yarns now being produced. So not a rosy outlook.

However, this has impacted on our business in an unexpected way. As the cheeper end has to pay significantly more for its basic raw materials as they have become scarce and it has enabled the gap to close between the better end products on the market as the gap between well produced fabric and the ‘never mind the quality – feel the width’ type has closed significantly. The main difference in the cost price of the garments now being the superior make-up, components and finishes that are applied. If a comparative review was applied to the cheeper end versus the Pulsar and Pulsarail range regarding the ‘life cost’ of a garment I for one am convinced that whilst in the past, our ranges have always offered better value for money, I am absoloutely sure that to stick to the cheepest available in the market just to squeeze into a budget would be absoloute madness. The range specifically designed for rail clothing GO/RT3279 certified and for highways and construction in our opinion, offers the best value for money in the marketplace.

Lots more new goodies in the range come August / September to keep you nice and warm and comfortable – and seen!

Watch this space for announcements as they complete their testing and certification.

Employers responsibility for High Vis Clothing.

The following advice is provided by the Health and Safety Executive to Employers regarding their responsibilities in regard to the supply and use of High Vis clothing:-

Storage Facilities must be provided for the clothing when not in use.

Adequate information must be provided along with training and instruction to ensure that employees use High Vis clothing correctly – This should include the explanation of why it is needed, what the risks are and how and when it should be worn.

Employees should be supervised to ensure that the clothing is actually worn and used correctly – whenever it is needed.

The employer must ensure that the High Vis clothing is maintained in a clean state and be in working order. Dirty, oily or greasy high vis garments may give the wearer a false impression of how well they can be seen and in itself could lead to accidents.

If an employee may be exposed to significant risks to their safety whilst at work then it is the employers responsibility to provide clothing free of charge to that employee. Some businesses provide funding to the employee to purchase their own High Vis garments. You must ensure, however, that the correct garments are purchased that comply with the relevant EN or GO/RT3279 standard. If you are unsure that they comply then request to view the garment test report from the supplier. Testing is expensive and suppliers / manufacturers are usually only too pleased to prove that they have jumped through all of the hoops to provice a correctly certified garment. There are garments on the market that do not comply – be aware.

Granite Workwear exhibiting at LAMMA 2011 for the 5th Year.

The 30th LAMMA agricultural machinery show takes place at the Newark and Nottinghamshire Showground, Winthorpe Newark NG24 2NY this year on Wednesday & Thursday 19th – 20th January. A major show in the farming calender for both UK and overseas farmers. At around 700 exhibitors it is one of Europes major agricultural events showcasing equipment for the smallholder up to the largest estates. 30 Years ago it was free to attend and cheap to exhibit and it soon became a place of pilgrimage for all those who love their farm machinery.

Granite Workwear Ltd has been exhibiting for the past 5 years and has a healthy relationship supplying the farming industry having grown out of the original business of free range outdoor reared pork and free range eggs. This year we have increased the stand space (Hall 2 / Stand 222) yet again to cope with demand and will be offering several ‘Show Specials’ despite the recent rise in VAT.

The show is one of few that can honestly profess to have the its visitor at heart. Free parking and Free entry have been maintained yet again. Making this an excellent day out and a show not to be missed. It’s not all about big arable kit. There’s a strong turnout of livestock equipment manufacturers as well as firms that repair and refurbish equipment.

Granite Workwear will be offering our comprehensive range of high quality PPE, High Vis, Safety Boots, Muck Boots, and Overalls and will have a complete range of Thermals to combat the recent weather conditions.