Visibility is the first priority. After that comes kit that copes with bitumen, tack coat and long shifts on hard surfaces. Kit for road crews gets dirty fast, so plan on replacing it more often than other trades.
Visibility next to live traffic
Roadworks in the UK are signed and guarded under Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual, and most highways authorities and contractors require high-visibility clothing to EN ISO 20471. On high-speed roads, class 3 is commonly required, often as a full-sleeve jacket or a top and hi-vis trousers together. Check your client's requirements, which may also set the colour.
Hi-vis only works if it is clean and bright. Tar and road grime dull it fast.
Hot asphalt and bitumen
Surfacing gangs work beside pavers and rollers laying hot material. Boots need soles that cope with heat and do not soften on fresh asphalt; check the footwear maker's rating for heat-resistant outsoles. Bitumen and tack coat splash trousers and boots and rarely wash out.
Expect surfacing kit to wear out faster than kit for footway or drainage crews, and budget for it.
Nights and winter
Much highways work is done at night to avoid traffic. That means cold, damp shifts under floodlights. A thermal base layer, a hi-vis fleece or hoodie and an EN 343 waterproof hi-vis jacket keep crews working. Beanies and snoods help, as long as they fit under helmets where required.
Gritting and winter maintenance crews face the worst of it, often at short notice.
Where to put your logo
Highways crews are mostly seen in hi-vis, so that is where branding goes. Print your company name on the back of hi-vis jackets and tops, on the fluorescent background only and never over reflective tape. On class 3 garments, a large logo can reduce the compliant area, so keep it compact. Some clients ask for their logo or a scheme name too. Print copes better than embroidery with the heavy washing and tar that surfacing kit gets.
Ordering for road workers and highways teams
Most road workers and highways teams 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.
