In the ongoing evolution of workplace safety standards, high-visibility (hi-viz) clothing remains paramount in mitigating workplace accidents. The ISO 20471 standard has set rigorous global benchmarks for hi-viz garments in high-risk scenarios. Building on this, the EN 17353 standard emerges as a pivotal guideline for enhancing visibility in medium-risk situations, offering a nuanced approach to protective clothing. This blog delves into the distinction between ISO 20471 and EN 17353, spotlighting Brilliant Group's pigment technologies that align with these critical safety protocols.
ISO 20471: THE NEW STANDARD FOR HIGH-RISK VISIBILITY
ISO 20471 specifies design, color, and reflective requirements for hi-viz clothing in environments where visibility is a matter of life and death. Central to this standard is the use of fluorescent materials that ensure visibility under various light conditions. ISO 20471 mandates three fluorescent colors: yellow (chartreuse), orange, or red, chosen for their effectiveness in starkly contrasting with any backdrop. The standard also emphasizes durability, mandating that hi-viz garments maintain their luminosity and color integrity through numerous wash cycles and exposure to the elements.
EN 17353: BROADENING THE SPECTRUM FOR MEDIUM RISK SITUATIONS
While ISO 20471 caters to high-risk environments, EN 17353 extends the visibility spectrum to medium-risk scenarios. This standard recognizes the diverse needs across different work environments, where the full specifications of ISO 20471 might not be necessary. EN 17353 allows for a broader color palette, including:
Fluorescent yellow-green
Fluorescent yellow
Fluorescent yellow-orange
Fluorescent orange
Fluorescent orange-red
Fluorescent red
Fluorescent pink
This expanded color range under EN 17353 accommodates various professional settings, enabling customization and flexibility while ensuring safety through enhanced visibility.
BRILLIANT GROUP COMPLIANCE SOLUTIONS
Brilliant Group's pigment technologies are at the forefront of aligning with the stringent requirements of ISO 20471 and adapting to the flexible demands of EN 17353. Our BSR and BMS Series pigments, in shades like Chartreuse (227), Orange (215), and Red (213), enable our customers to formulate products to meet ISO 20471's specifications. For the broader palette required by EN 17353, Brilliant Group offers an array of pigments that cater to the standard's diverse color requirements, ensuring manufacturers have access to high-quality, compliant solutions for both high and medium-risk hi-viz clothing.
The progression from ISO 471 to ISO 20471, coupled with EN 17353, illustrates the dynamic landscape of safety standards in the workplace. Through the integration of advanced pigment technologies, Brilliant Group plays a pivotal role in meeting these evolving standards, ensuring worker visibility and safety across a spectrum of lighting conditions and risk scenarios. As safety protocols continue to advance, the intersection of industrial safety and materials science becomes increasingly vital, with innovative pigment solutions safeguarding lives in an ever-changing work environment.
By embracing these standards, the industry not only adheres to current safety protocols but also anticipates future advancements, ensuring that protective clothing keeps pace with the evolving demands of workplace safety.