A qualified contractor is often the solution to several issues facing a rural telecommunications company. Hiring one can allow for more product to be placed in the air or under the ground, broadening the workforce to get more done. But this can also create some safety issues that it is important to be aware of.
Here we’ll cover one aspect: personal protective equipment (PPE) and reflective vests. Remember, the contractor is working for you, on your location. They should be wearing what your employees are wearing, at the very least. Because many telecom companies are unsure of what standards to implement, we’ll discuss some of the basics below. It is recommended, however, that you schedule a thorough PPE Hazard Assessment.
First, let’s consider the telecom employee/contractor working along a roadway. One potentially life-saving tool in their arsenal is a reflective vest. This simple solution works wonders for increasing visibility – and in turn, reducing risk.
There are two classes of vests to know: ANSI Class 2 (recommended for people working on roads where traffic speed is less than 50mph) and ANSI Class 3 (recommended for those working in highly dangerous environments with traffic speeds over 50mph). Class 1 vests do not provide adequate protection, requiring far fewer inches of reflective tape.
