High viz clothing or regular clothing

Joshua Rugg · 24th February 2011, 04:10 PM

im seeing that alot of you aussies wear high viz clothing. im not sure if it is a law over there or not but here in america tree workers are not required to wear high viz clothing.

call me a rebel but it makes me laugh when i see you guys in a tree dressed like a lemon lime.

so on to the question,

how many of you have ever run into a situation were high viz helped you?

how many of you agree with me and think it just makes you look like a lemon?

Eric Frei · 24th February 2011, 06:13 PM

Some day you will realise most American's are backward.

And that's why things were getting worse and OSH was asking for help.

Heck it wasn't long ago some-one wrote that Kansas farm boys are expendible.

Hiviz has been around a long time now, is used on signs here for a long time now ..... just like the metric system.

TrevMcRev · 24th February 2011, 07:17 PM

It's pretty well common place here.

It looks professional if the whole crew are in "uniform"

It is easy to spot ground workers from up high.

We don't go for lemon or lime though...always prefered orange!

dingo · 24th February 2011, 08:05 PM

The hiviz makes alot of sense if you ask me, cant hurt to be highly visible when you're wearing earmuffs and feeding a chipper on a busy road or on the ground under a climber, its a no brainer.
Does anyone know why in the tree game its orange? I just wear my yellow shirts from when I worked in transport but im pretty sure they are up to spec for tree work.

Eric Frei · 24th February 2011, 08:58 PM

Stihls are orange, chainsaw pants have orange .... so new shirts are orange.

When HiViz first came out there it was mainly yellow, then green but now orange is it..... I suppose.

Drouin Tree Service · 24th February 2011, 09:20 PM

We wear yellow,Hi viz is all go IMHO

Apocalypsse · 24th February 2011, 09:59 PM

We have yellow/green cotton shirts and then orange jackets. Some other crews have different colors. Makes sense to have high vis, its something you get screwed into your head @ TAFE, no high vis, no practical participation for you.

KevinE · 25th February 2011, 08:19 AM

I used to wear the orange shirts/jackets. Using the yellow ones ATM. I was working on a main road on Tues & Wed this week (North East Road) & the traffic was crazy! Even with my cones out & hi vis shirt, the bastards were getting VERY close at speed while I was loading the waste onto my trailer! One loon even hit a cone with her car. They were cutting each other off left, right & centre changing lanes at the last second to avoid me. I got swore at, yelled at, tooted at, but hey, nobody hit me! So I guess the hi vis sorta works!

I deliberately stayed away during clearway/peak hour times. Adelaide drivers!

becmate · 25th February 2011, 03:47 PM

We wear the yellow hi-vis shirts and all our signs and cones have hi-vis and reflective strips and they work great, especially from up in the air, you know where everyone is on the ground. Only problem we have had is that one of our clients thinks the yellow shirts aren't enough because they don't have reflective srips on them so when we work in that area, we have to wear hi-vis orange vests with reflective strips over our shirts... apparently this is supposed to be for our own safety but the amount of times we've almost been dragged into the chipper cos the vest gets caught more than justifies not wearing them to me! It's taught us all how to use the reverse bar on the chipper though

Apocalypsse · 25th February 2011, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by becmate

We wear the yellow hi-vis shirts and all our signs and cones have hi-vis and reflective strips and they work great, especially from up in the air, you know where everyone is on the ground. Only problem we have had is that one of our clients thinks the yellow shirts aren't enough because they don't have reflective srips on them so when we work in that area, we have to wear hi-vis orange vests with reflective strips over our shirts... apparently this is supposed to be for our own safety but the amount of times we've almost been dragged into the chipper cos the vest gets caught more than justifies not wearing them to me! It's taught us all how to use the reverse bar on the chipper though

Snap. You don't even need the reflective stripes during the day. Some people are a bit on the picky side :P

playfordtree · 25th February 2011, 04:13 PM

Orange shirts, orange hardhats, orange signs, orange cones, orange saws, orange flashing lights and even oranges in my lunchbox.

image is everything.
and....
workplace safety is somewhat important as well.

p.s. good thread!

becmate · 25th February 2011, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apocalypsse

Snap. You don't even need the reflective stripes during the day. Some people are a bit on the picky side :P

haha tell me about it! The justification for it is that it is a VicRoads requirement so we have to, regardless of the light of day. A bit over cautious if you ask me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by playfordtree

Orange shirts, orange hardhats, orange signs, orange cones, orange saws, orange flashing lights and even oranges in my lunchbox.

image is everything.
and....
workplace safety is somewhat important as well.

p.s. good thread!

Go team Orange! Must admit, when I see a tree crew all in the same gear and OH&S compliant, I think those guys must be good. It just looks pro.

Joshua Rugg · 25th February 2011, 06:00 PM

must just be a hawaii thing then because not alot of people wear high viz here. haha on fridays we wear aloha shirts sometimes. haha

i have been thinking about high viz more and more though. i have 2 groundies and not alot of our work is on or near the roads. i wanted to see your guys opinions on it before i buy up some high vis. lime green seems a bit tooo bright to me. im leaning to the orange side.

derwoodii · 25th February 2011, 09:22 PM

While I have no issue with hiviz and support it when done right, a few things bother me.

1. Its always cheap polyester and thats not good for heat n sweat and if ya workin power lines its not approved. Burns like napalm.

2. Many places use it to falsely show effort in Workin Safe.
If ya got a problem with a task or job 1st remove the problem if you canna do that, control the problem etc etc. Last in line is protective gear ya steel caps gloves muffs hard hat then hiviz. I often call the hiviz vests death shrouds, you can use em wrap up the dead guy after he gets wacked by a concern recognized but treated with contempt or ignored.

When I worked for Assplunda they had these great Skivvy's, yeah like the Wiggles. Bright orange all tuff cotton long waist so would tuck in and stay nice. On hot days just roll up ya sleeves you got a T shirt. They worked well looked good washed easy dried fast. It sucks, ya canna get these no more.
Yakka got its pants right with good pockets wear patch's - knee pad, kool but the shirts are made for dwarfs with no arms and if in Hiviz its polyplastic crap.

Ha, assplunda these are the people who when the chipper was too loud the solution twas higher rated muffs clamped on all heads. Nay not fix the problem poor exhaust muffler, so they to often fell into the above trap.

Its now all lemon glow green plastic glad wrap cheap that looks sad after 1st day stains forever and feels like ants in ya pants when ya sweat up.

TrevMcRev · 25th February 2011, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by playfordtree

Orange shirts, orange hardhats, orange signs, orange cones, orange saws, orange flashing lights and even oranges in my lunchbox.

Like!

TrevMcRev · 25th February 2011, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derwoodii

1. Its always cheap polyester and thats not good for heat n sweat and if ya workin power lines its not approved. Burns like napalm.

Its now all lemon glow green plastic glad wrap cheap that looks sad after 1st day stains forever and feels like ants in ya pants when ya sweat up.

We just switched from that to Bisley Lightweight 100% cotton shirts. They have mesh vents in the armpits & in the pleats in the back.

Gone from about $12 a pop to $30, but the guys are a LOT happier in these.

2 TONE HI VIS LIGHTWEIGHT DRILL SHIRT - SHORT SLEEVE

Features:

2 piece contrast collar
Twin flap pockets
Left pocket with pen division

Fabric: 100% Cotton Preshrunk Drill 155gsm - Lightweight

Eric Frei · 25th February 2011, 09:45 PM

That's the shirts I wear now too.

They dry faster so you can hang them up at the customers house, switch shirts and that one will dry quickly compared to the others.

Pockets with button down flaps mean no sawdust in there either.

Apocalypsse · 25th February 2011, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derwoodii

While I have no issue with hiviz and support it when done right, a few things bother me.

1. Its always cheap polyester and thats not good for heat n sweat and if ya workin power lines its not approved. Burns like napalm.

2. Many places use it to falsely show effort in Workin Safe.
If ya got a problem with a task or job 1st remove the problem if you canna do that, control the problem etc etc. Last in line is protective gear ya steel caps gloves muffs hard hat then hiviz. I often call the hiviz vests death shrouds, you can use em wrap up the dead guy after he gets wacked by a concern recognized but treated with contempt or ignored.

When I worked for Assplunda they had these great Skivvy's, yeah like the Wiggles. Bright orange all tuff cotton long waist so would tuck in and stay nice. On hot days just roll up ya sleeves you got a T shirt. They worked well looked good washed easy dried fast. It sucks, ya canna get these no more.
Yakka got its pants right with good pockets wear patch's - knee pad, kool but the shirts are made for dwarfs with no arms and if in Hiviz its polyplastic crap.

Ha, assplunda these are the people who when the chipper was too loud the solution twas higher rated muffs clamped on all heads. Nay not fix the problem poor exhaust muffler, so they to often fell into the above trap.

Its now all lemon glow green plastic glad wrap cheap that looks sad after 1st day stains forever and feels like ants in ya pants when ya sweat up.

Love your descriptions of these things, especially the glad wrap. Agreed on the Yakka shirts, my first shirt in my old company was Yakka, short short 'long' sleeves.

playfordtree · 25th February 2011, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevMcRev

We just switched from that to Bisley Lightweight 100% cotton shirts. They have mesh vents in the armpits & in the pleats in the back.

Ditto.

but prefer the long sleeve version.

cheers mate

simmo

playfordtree · 25th February 2011, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hard-as-Stihl

must just be a hawaii thing then because not alot of people wear high viz here. haha on fridays we wear aloha shirts sometimes. haha

Nothing stands out like a hawaiin shirt!!

could be a good marketing ploy.

cheers mate

simmo

derwoodii · 26th February 2011, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevMcRev

We just switched from that to Bisley Lightweight 100% cotton shirts. They have mesh vents in the armpits & in the pleats in the back.

Gone from about $12 a pop to $30, but the guys are a LOT happier in these.

2 TONE HI VIS LIGHTWEIGHT DRILL SHIRT - SHORT SLEEVE

Features:

2 piece contrast collar
Twin flap pockets
Left pocket with pen division

Fabric: 100% Cotton Preshrunk Drill 155gsm - Lightweight

OK looks good ta trev will give em a go.
Hmm O dear lady's, I gonna need to change ma handbag n heels and all ma pretty fashion accessory's now match two tone orange n blue.

TrevMcRev · 26th February 2011, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derwoodii

OK looks good ta trev will give em a go.
Hmm O dear lady's, I gonna need to change ma handbag n heels and all ma pretty fashion accessory's now match two tone orange n blue.

They come in blue & yellow too!

TrevMcRev · 26th February 2011, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by playfordtree

Nothing stands out like a hawaiin shirt!!

Except in Hawaii! Probably near on camoflage amongst all the foliage!

Apocalypsse · 26th February 2011, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevMcRev

Except in Hawaii! Probably near on camoflage amongst all the foliage!

How about a Hawaiian shirt but instead have high vis colors on it instead of normal colors.

Joshua Rugg · 3rd March 2011, 01:39 PM

thats it then. its decided. i think we are gonna make the switch to hi vis orange T-shirts this week. i appreciate the input.

treerat · 3rd March 2011, 02:29 PM

We wear navy blue shirts, sweat shirts, and jackets most of the time. Our primary area of work is residential, however there are certain jobs that dictate that we where high viz, ex.. storm damage, select timbering and along road ways, I have available for the crew high viz, vests and shirts. I let them know where we will be workin and they dress accordingly. The helmets I provide for them are orange and are worn everyday regardless of where we are workin. The navy blue is easier to keep clean.
I have no problem whereing the high viz clothing would prefer the yellow over the orange. just my 2 cents.

Treeson · 5th March 2011, 04:39 AM

Currently in green T shirts with hi-viz printed V's on front and back.
Company logo is embossed on front left and white lettering on back.
I like the idea of the hi -viz hawaiin shirts though!

pdiddy13 · 2nd April 2011, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dingo

The hiviz makes alot of sense if you ask me, cant hurt to be highly visible when you're wearing earmuffs and feeding a chipper on a busy road or on the ground under a climber, its a no brainer.
Does anyone know why in the tree game its orange? I just wear my yellow shirts from when I worked in transport but im pretty sure they are up to spec for tree work.

Hi viz makes sense for a climber as it gives the groundmen a good look at our movements and also for them to stay out the drop zone. In Barbados there are so many cowboys. I try and be as professional as possible, I like the orange shirts.

Rob Chace · 25th September 2011, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by playfordtree

Ditto.

but prefer the long sleeve version.

cheers mate

simmo

double ditto

TrevMcRev · 25th September 2011, 11:06 PM

The Pfanner hiviz (& non hiviz) zip neck shirts in long & short sleeve are made from Cocona, a natural fibre derived from coconut shells.

It's soft on the skin, naturally odor resistant, evaporative cooling, uv protective, durable & natural.

View Poll Results: to wear high viz or not to wear high viz
High vizability jackets and shirts all the way	22	78.57%
i think High viz makes you look like a lemon	6	21.43%
Voters: 28. You may not vote on this poll

24th February 2011, 04:10 PM	#1
Joshua Rugg Mature tree Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: maui, hawaii Posts: 285	High viz clothing or regular clothing im seeing that alot of you aussies wear high viz clothing. im not sure if it is a law over there or not but here in america tree workers are not required to wear high viz clothing. call me a rebel but it makes me laugh when i see you guys in a tree dressed like a lemon lime. so on to the question, how many of you have ever run into a situation were high viz helped you? how many of you agree with me and think it just makes you look like a lemon?

24th February 2011, 06:13 PM	#2
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: High viz clothing or regular clothing Some day you will realise most American's are backward. And that's why things were getting worse and OSH was asking for help. Heck it wasn't long ago some-one wrote that Kansas farm boys are expendible. Hiviz has been around a long time now, is used on signs here for a long time now ..... just like the metric system. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

24th February 2011, 07:17 PM	#3
TrevMcRev Mature Tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Posts: 1,594	Re: High viz clothing or regular clothing It's pretty well common place here. It looks professional if the whole crew are in "uniform" It is easy to spot ground workers from up high. We don't go for lemon or lime though...always prefered orange!

24th February 2011, 08:05 PM	#4
dingo Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: sydney Posts: 67	Re: High viz clothing or regular clothing The hiviz makes alot of sense if you ask me, cant hurt to be highly visible when you're wearing earmuffs and feeding a chipper on a busy road or on the ground under a climber, its a no brainer. Does anyone know why in the tree game its orange? I just wear my yellow shirts from when I worked in transport but im pretty sure they are up to spec for tree work.

24th February 2011, 08:58 PM	#5
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: High viz clothing or regular clothing Stihls are orange, chainsaw pants have orange .... so new shirts are orange. When HiViz first came out there it was mainly yellow, then green but now orange is it..... I suppose. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

24th February 2011, 09:20 PM	#6
Drouin Tree Service Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,727	Re: High viz clothing or regular clothing We wear yellow,Hi viz is all go IMHO __________________ Drouin Tree Services \| Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland \| Landclearing Melbourne

24th February 2011, 09:59 PM	#7
Apocalypsse Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,152	Re: High viz clothing or regular clothing We have yellow/green cotton shirts and then orange jackets. Some other crews have different colors. Makes sense to have high vis, its something you get screwed into your head @ TAFE, no high vis, no practical participation for you.

25th February 2011, 08:19 AM	#8
KevinE Mature tree Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Adelaide SA Posts: 292	Re: High viz clothing or regular clothing I used to wear the orange shirts/jackets. Using the yellow ones ATM. I was working on a main road on Tues & Wed this week (North East Road) & the traffic was crazy! Even with my cones out & hi vis shirt, the bastards were getting VERY close at speed while I was loading the waste onto my trailer! One loon even hit a cone with her car. They were cutting each other off left, right & centre changing lanes at the last second to avoid me. I got swore at, yelled at, tooted at, but hey, nobody hit me! So I guess the hi vis sorta works! I deliberately stayed away during clearway/peak hour times. Adelaide drivers!

25th February 2011, 03:47 PM	#9
becmate Sappling Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Victoria Posts: 15	Re: High viz clothing or regular clothing We wear the yellow hi-vis shirts and all our signs and cones have hi-vis and reflective strips and they work great, especially from up in the air, you know where everyone is on the ground. Only problem we have had is that one of our clients thinks the yellow shirts aren't enough because they don't have reflective srips on them so when we work in that area, we have to wear hi-vis orange vests with reflective strips over our shirts... apparently this is supposed to be for our own safety but the amount of times we've almost been dragged into the chipper cos the vest gets caught more than justifies not wearing them to me! It's taught us all how to use the reverse bar on the chipper though

25th February 2011, 04:13 PM	#11
playfordtree Mature tree Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Behind Your Sister! Posts: 328	Re: High viz clothing or regular clothing Orange shirts, orange hardhats, orange signs, orange cones, orange saws, orange flashing lights and even oranges in my lunchbox. image is everything. and.... workplace safety is somewhat important as well. p.s. good thread! __________________ Euthanizing South Australian Trees since 2007

25th February 2011, 06:00 PM	#13
Joshua Rugg Mature tree Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: maui, hawaii Posts: 285	Re: High viz clothing or regular clothing must just be a hawaii thing then because not alot of people wear high viz here. haha on fridays we wear aloha shirts sometimes. haha i have been thinking about high viz more and more though. i have 2 groundies and not alot of our work is on or near the roads. i wanted to see your guys opinions on it before i buy up some high vis. lime green seems a bit tooo bright to me. im leaning to the orange side.

25th February 2011, 09:22 PM	#14
derwoodii Mature tree Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Melbourne Posts: 406	Re: High viz clothing or regular clothing While I have no issue with hiviz and support it when done right, a few things bother me. 1. Its always cheap polyester and thats not good for heat n sweat and if ya workin power lines its not approved. Burns like napalm. 2. Many places use it to falsely show effort in Workin Safe. If ya got a problem with a task or job 1st remove the problem if you canna do that, control the problem etc etc. Last in line is protective gear ya steel caps gloves muffs hard hat then hiviz. I often call the hiviz vests death shrouds, you can use em wrap up the dead guy after he gets wacked by a concern recognized but treated with contempt or ignored. When I worked for Assplunda they had these great Skivvy's, yeah like the Wiggles. Bright orange all tuff cotton long waist so would tuck in and stay nice. On hot days just roll up ya sleeves you got a T shirt. They worked well looked good washed easy dried fast. It sucks, ya canna get these no more. Yakka got its pants right with good pockets wear patch's - knee pad, kool but the shirts are made for dwarfs with no arms and if in Hiviz its polyplastic crap. Ha, assplunda these are the people who when the chipper was too loud the solution twas higher rated muffs clamped on all heads. Nay not fix the problem poor exhaust muffler, so they to often fell into the above trap. Its now all lemon glow green plastic glad wrap cheap that looks sad after 1st day stains forever and feels like ants in ya pants when ya sweat up.

25th February 2011, 09:45 PM	#17
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: High viz clothing or regular clothing That's the shirts I wear now too. They dry faster so you can hang them up at the customers house, switch shirts and that one will dry quickly compared to the others. Pockets with button down flaps mean no sawdust in there either. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

3rd March 2011, 01:39 PM	#25
Joshua Rugg Mature tree Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: maui, hawaii Posts: 285	Re: High viz clothing or regular clothing thats it then. its decided. i think we are gonna make the switch to hi vis orange T-shirts this week. i appreciate the input.

3rd March 2011, 02:29 PM	#26
treerat Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Eastern Pa. Posts: 71	Re: High viz clothing or regular clothing We wear navy blue shirts, sweat shirts, and jackets most of the time. Our primary area of work is residential, however there are certain jobs that dictate that we where high viz, ex.. storm damage, select timbering and along road ways, I have available for the crew high viz, vests and shirts. I let them know where we will be workin and they dress accordingly. The helmets I provide for them are orange and are worn everyday regardless of where we are workin. The navy blue is easier to keep clean. I have no problem whereing the high viz clothing would prefer the yellow over the orange. just my 2 cents. __________________ Life is tough....It's even tougher if you're stupid...John Wayne

5th March 2011, 04:39 AM	#27
Treeson Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 176	Re: High viz clothing or regular clothing Currently in green T shirts with hi-viz printed V's on front and back. Company logo is embossed on front left and white lettering on back. I like the idea of the hi -viz hawaiin shirts though!

25th September 2011, 11:06 PM	#30
TrevMcRev Mature Tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Posts: 1,594	Re: High viz clothing or regular clothing The Pfanner hiviz (& non hiviz) zip neck shirts in long & short sleeve are made from Cocona, a natural fibre derived from coconut shells. It's soft on the skin, naturally odor resistant, evaporative cooling, uv protective, durable & natural.

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