SAFETY & PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
FROM THE FIRST WAISTCOAT
TO THE BEST WAISTCOAT
Below, we outline the journey of the high visibility waistcoat, which all started at Leo Workwear...
Where it all began
Prior to the introduction of the High Viz waistcoat, the idea of making a road worker visible was to add a patch of bright yellow or orange PVC to the shoulders on a donkey jacket.
Leo made the first High-Visibility waistcoat in 1980.
Today, we now stock over 90 different waistcoats for our customers, keeping people seen throughout the UK and the world.
Read more below....
1980
In 1980, Leo founder and MD, Peter Turner designed and produced the first fluorescent high visibility waistcoats for a traffic marking company. Since then, he has seen the waistcoat transform from a simple safety garment to being established as the first item and mainstay of all PPE issues.
It all began with 2 items: a tabard with tie sides and 2 narrow horizontal reflective strips on the back and 2 vertical strips on the front. The second item was a basic waistcoat with Velcro® fastening and a single 2” wide reflective band encircling.
The two waistcoats were produced by Leo Textiles (Later to become LEO WORKWEAR) in their Barnstaple factory. Soon other designs were added with a shoulder reflective and an additional reflective band. Once the benefits of these waistcoats were formally recognised, sleeved versions were added to the range.
1985
By 1985, Leo Workwear's waistcoat became the basis for the British Standard BS6629. This was a huge accomplishment for Leo Workwear and a reflection of our hard work and dedication.
Those in the highway sector will remember them as Class A garments with sleeves and Class B without. Appendix G was the recommendation for shoulder braces.
1994
In 1994, the British Standard was replaced by the European Standard EN471, adding a red option and redefining the colour coordinates. The garment classes now became 1,2 & 3.
The basic one band waistcoat was no longer compliant but had, however, generally been phased out because of the need for shoulder reflective on the highways.
FROM THE FIRST WAISTCOAT
TO THE BEST WAISTCOAT
TODAY
= Over 90 styles of waistcoats
= Multiple colours, sizes and features
= Styles for Men, Women and Children
= LFS and Anti-Static options
100% ECOVIZ
Now every style of waistcoat is made from recycled polyester, removing all virgin polyester from production. Polyester is made from recycled plastic bottles which in return, offers considerable savings on CO2 emissions, energy emissions, and water consumption without compromising conformance, performance, or appearance.
KNOW YOUR IMPACT
We have been analysing the supply chains of our garments to provide you with the savings you are making by choosing Leo waistcoats.
All data has been calculated by Green Story.
