Rail industry workwear is a specific type of protective clothing worn by workers in the railway industry. It is designed to provide safety and comfort to workers who are involved in various tasks related to railway maintenance, construction, and repair.
The rail industry workwear is made up of various garments and accessories that protect workers from hazards such as electrical shocks, heat, cold, rain, and other environmental factors. The clothing is made from materials that are durable, comfortable, and provide protection against the risks that workers face in their daily jobs.
Key Takeaways
- Purpose: Ensures safety in railway tasks, protecting against environmental hazards.
- Components: Includes high-visibility clothing, protective helmets, glasses, gloves, and boots.
- Visibility Standards: Adheres to Network Rail's high-visibility requirements and RIS-3279-TOM standards.
- Weather Protection: Workwear is waterproof, suitable for cold conditions.
- Recommended Products: High-visibility vests, trousers, and shirts from specific brands.
- Regulations: Meets UK standards for protective clothing in the rail industry.
- Availability: Offered by suppliers like OAKEYS, meeting industry safety standards.
Rail industry workwear typically includes high visibility clothing, which is essential for workers who operate in areas with moving trains and other heavy machinery. The high visibility clothing is designed to make workers easily visible to train drivers and other workers, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.
Other protective clothing and equipment that are commonly worn by railway workers include hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, steel toed boots, and respirators. These accessories are designed to protect workers from head injuries, eye injuries, hand injuries, foot injuries, and respiratory problems.
What sort of high visibility clothing is required for the Rail industry?
The high visibility clothing used on a construction site will be different to the hi vis clothing required within the rail industry and other transport industries.
Network Rail made it mandatory for anyone working on the railway to have high-quality, durable hi vis clothing. When these changes came into play manufactures had to adapt quickly to produce hi vis rail workwear which met the required standards for Network Rail PPE approval, making the product rail approved workwear.
Network Rail also implemented a ‘Full Orange Policy’. This entailed that the worker’s entire body needs to be visible, which means rail hi vis trousers are now a necessity alongside other products easily forgotten such as rail hi vis orange rucksacks.
An example of a Network rail PPE approved workwear and rucksack by LodeWork is below:
LodeWork OTS-05 Hi Vis Orange Rucksack NETWORK RAIL APPROVED
The LodeWork 0TS-05 is a Network Rail approved, high-visibility orange rucksack, featuring a quick-release rip clip for safety, water-resistant materials, and a reflective strip for enhanced visibility. Ideal for rail industry professionals, it includes a padded laptop pouch and conforms to EN20471 and RIS 3279-TOM standards.
48hr delivery | Price match guarantee | Company branding available
£46.81 ex VAT
All of our rail high visibility clothing conforms to RIS-3279-TOM (formerly GO/RT 3279) and is suitable for use in rail and other transport industries.
The manufacture of this great hi vis rail rucksack is LodeWork and at OAKEYS we supply their whole range including their LodeWork Hi Vis Short Sleeve Polo Shirt, designed with rail workers in mind.
What other products are specific for the rail industry?
Working on the railways in the UK also requires the user to spend lots of time outside in cold weather. Rail hi vis workwear is often waterproof, providing protection against the harshest weather conditions.
It is also essential for railway workers to have protection for their head, hands and feet and so a safety helmet, pair of safety boots and safety gloves. These products have been specified and have specific Network Rail PPE.
What are the top railway workwear clothing options we recommend?
LEO LAPFORD ISO 20471 Cl 2 Railway Waistcoat
The LEO LAPFORD ISO 20471 Cl 2 Railway Waistcoat is a rail approved safety vest designed to meet the highest standards of visibility and durability for railway workers.
This waistcoat is certified to ISO 20471 Class 2, which means it provides the highest level of visibility available
Portwest RT46 Rail Combat Trouser
The Portwest RT46 Rail Combat Trouser is not only durable and functional, but also designed for maximum visibility on the job. Made with high visibility materials, these orange rail trousers is equipped with multiple reflective strips to ensure you are seen in low light conditions. The bright, fluorescent colour also makes it easy for others to spot you, even in challenging weather conditions.
Portwest RT23 Hi Vis T-Shirt RIS
The Portwest RT23 Hi Vis T-Shirt is a high visibility, short sleeved rail t shirt designed for maximum safety on the job. Made with 100% polyester fabric, it is lightweight and breathable, making it comfortable to wear in any weather.
Portwest RT44 Hi Vis Reversible Bodywarmer RIS
The Portwest RT44 Hi Vis Reversible Bodywarmer RIS is an excellent option for those in need of an orange hi vis bodywarmer. This high quality garment is designed to meet RIS-3279-TOM standards, ensuring that it meets the requirements for use in the railway industry.
Compliance and regulations for rail workwear
In the UK, rail workwear is subject to a number of compliance and regulatory requirements to ensure the safety and protection of workers in the rail industry. Some of the key regulations and standards that apply to rail workwear in the UK include:
- Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems Regulations 2006 -
These regulations require employers to provide suitable personal protective equipment to employees where necessary to protect their health and safety. This includes protective clothing such as high visibility clothing and safety footwear.
- Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2018 -
These regulations apply to all PPE, including workwear for the rail industry. They require PPE to be CE marked, meet specific requirements for design and performance, and be accompanied by instructions for use and maintenance.
- Railway Group Standards -
These standards cover a wide range of topics related to rail operations, including safety and PPE requirements for workers. RIS-3279-TOM is a specific RGS that outlines the requirements for high-visibility clothing worn by workers on or near the line.
- EN ISO 20471:2013 -
This is a European standard for high visibility clothing. It specifies requirements for the design and performance of high visibility clothing, including requirements for materials, colour, and retroreflective tape.
- EN ISO 11612:2015 -
This is a European standard for protective clothing against heat and flame. It specifies requirements for the design and performance of protective clothing, including requirements for materials and heat resistance.
Employers in the rail industry are responsible for ensuring that their workers are provided with appropriate PPE, including workwear that meets these standards and regulations. Workers should also receive training on the proper use and maintenance of their PPE to ensure maximum effectiveness and protection.
Conclusion
The Rail industry is really leading the way in terms of their attention to safety and the correct hi vis rail workwear that needs to be worn, introducing their own safety standards to adhere to.
OAKEYS has a wide range of Network rail approved workwear and PPE available on our online store, we have a team of experts that would be able to assist in making sure you are purchasing the correct products for your needs.
Check out our other blog on high visibility clothing and what you need to know.
Or perhaps you aren't sure on why it's necessary to buy workwear in the first place, this blog should help answer that one.
Hi Vis Workwear
- What is the primary purpose of rail industry workwear?
- Rail industry workwear is designed to ensure the safety and comfort of workers in railway maintenance, construction, and repair, protecting them from various environmental hazards.
- What are the key components of rail industry workwear?
- Key components include high-visibility clothing, hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, steel-toed boots, and in some cases, respirators.
- What are the visibility standards for rail industry workwear?
- Workwear must meet Network Rail's high-visibility requirements, including the 'Full Orange Policy', and conform to RIS-3279-TOM standards.
- Is rail industry workwear weatherproof?
- Yes, rail hi-vis workwear is often designed to be waterproof and suitable for cold weather conditions.
- Can you recommend specific products for rail industry workwear?
- Recommended products include LEO LAPFORD ISO 20471 Cl 2 Railway Waistcoat, Portwest RT46 Rail Combat Trouser, Portwest RT23 Hi Vis T-Shirt, and Portwest RT44 Hi Vis Reversible Bodywarmer RIS.
- What regulations govern rail industry workwear in the UK?
- Regulations include the Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems Regulations 2006, Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2018, and European standards like EN ISO 20471:2013 and EN ISO 11612:2015.
- Where can I purchase compliant rail industry workwear?
- Compliant workwear is available through suppliers like OAKEYS, which offer a range of Network rail-approved workwear and PPE.
