Forestry is one of New Zealand’s most difficult and dangerous industries. The complex nature of forests and ever-changing light conditions can make it difficult for workers to be seen. 

Innovative approach to high-vis clothing improves worker safety.

According to the New Zealand Forest Industry Accident Reporting Scheme, there were 35 “not seen” accidents between 1991 and 1993. Four were fatal. The costs of these injuries and fatalities - lost production, ongoing health expenses and accident compensation payments – were escalating to about $10 million a year. Back then, forestry workers traditionally wore dark clothing and often discarded the nylon safety vests then available because they were uncomfortable.

So New Zealand scientists came up with a new approach. They designed a black cotton t-shirt with a fluorescent chevron on the front and diagonal stripes on the back that allowed the material to breathe. Made from fluorescent materials, the t-shirts significantly improved worker visibility in the forest and around heavy machinery.

These HIVIZ fluoro t-shirts cost less than $100,000 to develop. The new approach seeded development of a small manufacturing industry with annual revenues of about $250,000 a year from 1993 onwards. By 1995, no “not seen” accidents were reported. 

Today, high visibility clothing is accepted practice. The HIVIZ fluoro t-shirt is seen on the streets of many of New Zealand towns and workplaces and is even seen as a desirable fashion item.