Workwear for rail workers

Rail also covers station staff, depot teams and on-train crews, who face the public and need a smarter look. This page looks mainly at trackside and depot kit. It also covers how to brand orange kit without breaking the rules.

Orange, and the right orange

On GB mainline infrastructure, hi-vis normally needs to meet GO/RT 3279, which calls for orange garments to EN ISO 20471. Track workers typically wear Class 3: a hi-vis jacket or long-sleeve top with hi-vis trousers.

Yellow hi-vis from a building site is not a substitute. Principal contractors and infrastructure managers may add their own rules, so always check the requirements for the project before ordering.

Night possessions and weather

A lot of track work happens overnight in short possessions, in all weathers. Waterproof orange jackets and over-trousers rated to EN 343 keep teams working. Thermal base layers and orange fleeces add warmth without losing visibility.

Head torches and lamps make reflective tape essential. Keep garments clean, as dirty tape and faded fabric reduce performance and may mean replacement. Wash it as the label says.

Ballast, boots and electrical risks

Walking on ballast is hard on ankles. Rail work usually calls for safety boots with ankle support, toe protection and a midsole, and some contracts specify particular boot types. Check the contract rules.

Where there are overhead line or conductor rail risks, or welding and grinding on track, flame resistant or arc-rated clothing may be required. Your risk assessment decides.

Where to put your logo

Branding on rail hi-vis needs extra care. Logos must go on the orange fluorescent fabric only, never over the reflective tape, and large logos reduce the compliant area. Some infrastructure managers and principal contractors limit what can be printed, so check before ordering. A small chest logo and a company name on the back are usual. Embroidery suits station staff knitwear, softshells and depot polos.

Ordering for rail workers

Most rail workers start with hi-vis jackets and rainwear, hi-vis trousers and hi-vis T-shirts and polos. You can order from one garment and add more as you take people on. The logo price drops at 9 and again at 25 garments, and every garment with a small logo counts towards it, so mixing styles and colours still gets the better price. Before anything is made, we embroider an actual sample of your logo and email you a photo to approve, or you can pop in to our Hull workshop to see it.