Network operators and their contractors usually set a strict clothing specification. The aim is to meet it to the letter while keeping crews warm, dry and easy to identify to the public, the police and other contractors on a busy street.
Street works and hi-vis
Most utility work on the highway falls under the New Roads and Street Works Act, with signing, lighting and guarding following the street works code of practice and Chapter 8 where it applies. Crews working on or near live carriageways commonly wear Class 3 hi-vis to EN ISO 20471, usually a jacket or long-sleeved top with hi-vis trousers.
The client specification and your risk assessment set the class and colour. Some networks use orange, others yellow, so check before ordering.
Gas, power and flame risk
Gas crews may work in potentially flammable atmospheres, where flame resistant clothing to EN ISO 11612 and antistatic garments to EN 1149 are often required. Power network jointers and linesmen working near live equipment may need arc-rated garments tested to IEC 61482. Multi-norm garments combine these with hi-vis.
Check the network's specification for each role, as requirements differ between gas, electricity and water teams.
Water, sewage and the doorstep
Water and wastewater crews face wet excavations, sewage and confined spaces. Waterproof jackets and trousers to EN 343, safety wellingtons and good hygiene facilities are essential, along with gloves for handling contaminated materials.
Meter readers and customer-facing staff knock on doors every day. A clearly branded jacket or polo plus an ID card helps the public trust that the visitor is genuine, which matters when people are wary of bogus callers.
Where to put your logo
Hi-vis dominates utility work, so print logos on the fluorescent background only, never over the reflective tape, and keep them small enough not to reduce the compliant area for the class you need. Many contractors carry both their own and the network operator's logo, which needs the client's approval. FR and arc-rated garments need branding methods that keep the garment compliant, so check with the maker. For doorstep staff, a clear embroidered logo on a softshell or polo builds trust. A proof lets your client check dual branding before anything is made.
Ordering for utility workers (water, gas and power)
Most utility workers (water, gas and power) start with hi-vis jackets, hi-vis trousers and flame resistant clothing. 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.
