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Solid Waste Workers Benefit From New High Visibility Work Wear Offerings

The solid waste professionals of Murfreesboro, Tennessee encounter a variety of workrelated hazards from the moment they begin their early morning routes to the time their day is ending. Recognizing that these employees face a multitude of risks from lowvisibility conditions to high traffic volume, the city began researching alternative primary apparel solutions that would not only improve worker visibility and enhance on-the-job comfort, but also increase compliance.

Assessing the Problem
The city of Murfreesboro’s solid waste sector makes it a priority to incorporate the feedback employees provide regarding safety, durability and comfort into its high visibility work wear purchasing decision. Many workers reported that their standard garments were uncomfortable and lacked flexibility. Some expressed that the reflective vests were hot or too large. Based on this feedback, the city began investigating the most up-to-date safety solutions that would help resolve these issues.

In order to find the best high visibility work wear option, the city worked with Reflective Apparel Factory, Inc. to obtain samples of t-shirts containing two different types of reflective trims. Two test groups of 20 employees were established in July 2005. Ten workers wore t-shirts that were equipped with solid reflective trim and ten wore  shirts with segmented reflective trim. Halfway through the testing phase, the groups swapped shirts and when the research was completed the 20 testers unanimously reported that 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material - 5510 Segmented Home Wash Trim provided more flexibility and the material was more breathable.

“There has been an increased desire across all industries, but particularly in the Solid Waste industry, for lighter, more flexible and durable personal protection equipment,”said Rich Boven, President of Reflective Apparel Factory, Inc. “Time and time again, we are told that 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material – Series 5500 Comfort Trim is a key component in delivering these qualities, thereby increasing worker comfort and productivity. ”

Resounding Results
In the three years since acquiring the new apparel for its 130 solid waste workers, the city of Murfreesboro has seen a significant decrease in work-related accidents and an increase in the number of workers adhering to the compliance standards.

“Solid waste employees are forced to contend with a variety of rough environmental factors throughout the year. The durability and the life-span of a reflective strip is therefore of utmost importance,” said Joey Smith, Director Solid Waste, city of Murfreesboro, TN. “Over the past few years, the Scotchlite reflective material – series 5500 comfort trim has maintained its reflectivity despite numerous washings and tough conditions.”