Dressed for the Dark: Essential Clothing for Recovery Workers in Hazardous Conditions

Dark nights are full of dangers when you’re a Vehicle Recovery Worker. Facing the unpredictable risks that come with rescuing stranded vehicles in low visibility and poor weather conditions can be very hazardous.

At Knights we have a range of clothing that is with no exaggeration to say, it can be a life save We’re not talking about a simple waistcoat. In the dark, that’s not enough. If it’s cold or wet, it’s just too tempting to pull a coat over the top. You need the protection of reflective strips and bright fluorescents all over. And at Knights, our range of workwear gives you multiple ways to achieve that: coveralls, trousers, shorts, fleeces, bomber jackets and anoraks. We’ve even got Gore-Tex options – because, in this country, we do get plenty of rain. 

A recovery driver would typically need to wear a uniform that ensures their safety and visibility, especially in the hazardous conditions they can be working in.

Recovery Worker Uniform;

1. High Visibility Garments; These are very important as they are fluorescent colours, predominantly Orange in the Recovery Industry, with reflective strips to make the worker easily visible, even at night.
2. Protective footwear; Safety footwear is a must for any recovery worker to protect against heavy objects and provide grip on slippery or uneven surfaces.
3. Heavy Duty Trousers; Most times during a recovery job, the worker finds themselves needing to kneel down on the rough ground. Trousers need to be heavy duty and durable with a reinforced kneepad or made of a thick material for protection to the wearer.
4. Hard Hat; Depending on the environment, sometimes a helmet is necessary to protect against falling objects.
5. Gloves; Heavy duty gloves are imperative to protect the hands of the wearer whilst handling tools, winches and tow cables.
6. Fire-resistant or weatherproof outerwear; In some cases, the uniform needed may include flame-retardant clothing or weatherproof jackets for protection against the harsh conditions.

Why is Recovery workers uniform Hi Viz Orange?

Recovery vehicle workers predominantly wear orange high-visibility rather than yellow for a few reasons;

1. Contrast; Orange high-visibility tends to stand out more against backgrounds such as green roadside vegetation, which makes it more visible in rural or outdoor environments. Yellow can tend to blend in more easily with natural surroundings. 
2. Differentiation; In most other professions, yellow high-visibility clothing is used, for example road construction workers, police, ambulance, or delivery personnel. Orange helps recovery workers to stand out and be more easily recognised as part of a specialised service. 
3. Better visibility in lower light conditions; Orange tends to be more visible in low-light conditions or at night when visibility is reduced. This makes it safer for the recovery workers when operating in hazardous environments at the roadside or at an accident scene.

“We’re proud to keep the recovery industry Safe and Smart, view our range here.”