HI-VIS VESTS

pinstripe · Post by **pinstripe** » 08 Apr 2008, 17:22

Okay, I'll start the ball rolling on this one.
How many of us wear the hi-vis vest all the time as we are meant to? I know that in summer they make you sweat, they get in the way and they never seem to have the right size. They constantly slide off your shoulder if you are carrying your bag unless you zip it up which makes it even more uncomfortable. We were informed years ago that we must wear them but management no longer ensure that we do, apart from the odd mention in WTL that we are meant to and the signs next to the scales.
I wear mine because we all know how twisted RM can be, but most of the guys in my office don't.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 08 Apr 2008, 17:25

never worn it and never been told to. I was told during the training/induction period that you only need to wear it if there are poor light conditions or you are the driver of liveried vehicles. Or if you have to enter a dangerous area on a customers premises.

johnnyp · Post by **johnnyp** » 08 Apr 2008, 18:08

Only drivers(who should,but dont) ,new entrants(untill they get a uniform)and our Dom(feck knows why) wear them.

Post by **rhino49** » 08 Apr 2008, 18:08

We've been told they are mandatory when cycling. No ruling otherwise, but rather than on/off/on/off we tend to keep them on all the time.

pinstripe · Post by **pinstripe** » 08 Apr 2008, 18:09

TrueBlueTerrier wrote:never worn it and never been told to. I was told during the training/induction period that you only need to wear it if there are poor light conditions or you are the driver of liveried vehicles. Or if you have to enter a dangerous area on a customers premises.

That's what we were initially told. Then it went from only the drivers to everyone, even management. We even have different coloured ones for fire wardens to wear during fire drills.

carsnooty · Post by **carsnooty** » 08 Apr 2008, 18:46

I have never had mine on and it also seems to be only our dom that wears his lol

DGP1 · Post by **DGP1** » 08 Apr 2008, 19:06

On my DO it's cyclists and collection drivers that have to wear them and it's up to individual drivers to wear them if it's dark but no definite rule

brothermagrew · Post by **brothermagrew** » 08 Apr 2008, 23:16

In truth any cwu member working outdoors driving / cycle delivery / collections / working on loading bays / or moving about in RM delivery yards should be wearing high viz garments.

staffordtigers · Post by **staffordtigers** » 08 Apr 2008, 23:35

In truth any cwu member working outdoors driving / cycle delivery / collections / working on loading bays / or moving about in RM delivery yards should be wearing high viz garments

thats what we are told also. Always wear the vis jacket.Gets them off your case

andy2007 · Post by **andy2007** » 09 Apr 2008, 10:18

Because we use so many FLTs and Scuds, the managers strictly enforce the use of Hi Viz Vests or Coats. Even Visitors must wear them, if they enter the Operational Floor. They keep a supply in the managers office for anyone who forgets them (or doesn't know 'cause they are only visiting).

We also have different coloured ones: One for First Aiders (either management or Staff), one for managers (unless they are First Aiders), and two other colours for everyone else, depending on which one the Uniform Helpline send you. Though why they have two different colours for the same purpose is beyond me!

One interesting point though: First Aiders have to wear the normal Hi Viz vests if they are working off the Premises (eg Drivers). Believe it or not. It is so that if they go to the aid of a member of the Public, RM can't be sued for damages, if they make a mistake!

davepat · Post by **davepat** » 13 Apr 2008, 19:29

Like Brothermagrew.
All should wear them. I do believe that you are to wear them all the time u are on ur cycle, all the time you are walking on the pavement [delivering] u don't have to wear them, the same as the cycle helmits.
I wear the vests at all times, can't see a problem with them.
All van duties have to wear them at all times, as they always step out of the vehicle onto the road.

DB1100 · Post by **DB1100** » 14 Apr 2008, 16:32

I can understand the use of hi vis vests in busy yards where FLT and vehicles are operating,but to wear them when you are walking on you delivery utter b#ll#cks,we carry a bright red pouch FFS.

somerset · Post by **somerset** » 14 Apr 2008, 16:49

DB1100 wrote:I can understand the use of hi vis vests in busy yards where FLT and vehicles are operating,but to wear them when you are walking on you delivery utter b#ll#cks,we carry a bright red pouch FFS.

Can we get real on this issue? Hi-viz is provided for your safety . Police wear them, firemen,traffic wardens etc etc. They are for your safety out there? I would like to know what would be the first question in an accident report? Were you wearing correct safety gear?

davepat · Post by **davepat** » 14 Apr 2008, 16:50

DB1100.
Thats what i am saying you only have to wear them, when you are cycling on the road, the same as the cycle helmits, you can take them off when delivering, but as i've already said you are advised to wear them at all times, but you don't have too.

davepat · Post by **davepat** » 14 Apr 2008, 16:52

here here brisomerset. they are for your own safety, like it or not.

ROYALMAILCHAT

HI-VIS VESTS

It's strictly enforced at RDCs