OH, THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL (AND DARK!)
Cold weather means dressing in lots of layers for warmth and protection. But sometimes those layers make it harder to see things or for other people to see us. That's why Hi-Vis garments are especially important in winter months.
Face it, when it's bitter cold or blustery, we tend to bundle up and trudge around with our faces down, trying to present a low profile to the wind. Not exactly keeping an eye out for traffic. Same thing for freezing rain. And folks driving around are looking for ice and potholes, not for Frosty's helpers. Add a layer of frost or fog on the windshield and you are likely to be heard before you are seen.
On a clear summer day, a basic Hi-Vis vest may be all that you need. But chances are that your summer vest may not fit as well when you are dressed like the Michelin man. And remember how you liked the lack of sleeves and cool breeze that blew through the mesh fabric in the summer heat?
CHOOSE GARMENTS THAT WORK IN THE WINTER
At a minimum, make sure that your vest fits over the clothes you really wear in the winter and that it doesn't interfere with your work. Choose an expandable vest for year round wear, or spring for a second vest to swap out in the fall. Or make your outer layer a protective shell that has Hi-Vis built right in. Rain wear or thermal lined jackets with Hi-Vis shells mean one less layer to keep track of.
Winter days are also shorter and darker than in the summer months (why do you think that Santa has Rudolph?), so there is more time when you will be out working in dusk or twilight conditions when extra visibility is needed. It has something to do with the axis of the Earth, but at the North and South Poles the sun goes down for 6 months at a time (make sure that you get paid by the hour – do not accept a day rate!).
The exact hours of actual daylight in the winter vary with the calendar date and your latitude, but adding Hi-Vis pants, gloves, or hats, or upgrading to a Class 3 garment to increase your overall visibility is a good idea when skies are dark or gray.
VISIBILITY IN SUNNY WEATHER
Even a sunny winter day can be a challenge. Driving into the low angle, winter sun can be quite distracting, and acres of bright, white snow can lead to snow blindness. Direct sunlight or bright light reflected off of the snow cause drivers to squint and focus their gaze on limited areas of the roadway, not at workers standing on the shoulders.
And workers bundled up against the elements might not have the same peripheral vision to see traffic sneaking up from the side. Goggles and hoods make it harder to see. Being extra visible means fewer surprises.
Lastly, consider the contrast that your garments make with your changing environment. Reflective tapes light up when hit with headlights, but the overall garment should also provide a strong contrast with the background. Bright colors and crisp patterns help you stand out against a snowy background.