Personal Protective Equipment · SOP

High Visibility Clothing Requirements for Yard Forklift

Mandatory procedures to ensure all personnel wear compliant high-visibility garments when entering active yard forklift zones. This SOP reduces struck-by/crushing hazards and aligns with WorkSafeBC Part 7 – Personal Protective Equipment.

Estimated Time

5 min

Difficulty

Basic

Regulation

WorkSafeBC Part 7

Version

1.0

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Purpose

To eliminate the risk of personnel being struck, crushed, or obscured by moving forklifts in yard operations. High-visibility clothing ensures that operators, spotters, and pedestrians are visually distinct against all backgrounds — even in low light or dusty environments. This SOP defines the minimum garment class, inspection protocol, and correct wearing procedure to maintain compliance with provincial safety regulations and company liability standards.

Scope

Applies to all employees, temporary workers, contractors, and visitors entering any designated yard forklift zone — including loading docks, storage aisles, shipping lanes, maintenance bays, and all areas marked with yellow high-visibility zone signage. This SOP does not apply to occupants of enclosed vehicles or personnel inside designated safe break areas.

Safety Precautions

LOTOLockout/Tagout of the forklift is not required for this PPE procedure. However, never walk between or behind an idling forklift spark arrestor. Always approach the operator with eye contact before entering the zone.
PPEIn addition to the high-visibility garment, mandatory PPE includes: CSA-approved safety glasses, steel-toed boots (CSA Green Triangle), and a hard hat (CSA Z94.1) when near overhead loads or racking. Gloves with high-vis orange back are recommended.
EXCIf the garment does not have reflective tape on all sides (front, back, sides), do not enter the zone. Class 2 garments require a minimum of 1.97 in (50 mm) wide reflective material with photometric performance per CSA Z96-15.

Required Tools & Materials

ANSI/CSA Class 2 high-visibility safety vest (retroreflective tape on all sides) – fluorescent yellow-green or orange-red
For night / low-light operations: Class 3 high-visibility garment (additional sleeve/bodice reflective material)
Safety glasses (ANSI Z87.1) with anti-fog coating
Steel-toed boots meeting CSA Z195-14 Green Triangle
Hard hat (CSA Z94.1-15) – optional in non-overhead zones, but recommended in all yard areas
Site-specific zone map (identifying forklift travel lanes and designated safe spots)

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Procedure: Step-by-Step

1 Identify all yard zones where forklifts operate. Refer to the site layout map or supervisor to confirm active forklift zones (loading docks, storage aisles, travel lanes). These areas require mandatory high-visibility clothing at all times.

2 Select the appropriate ANSI/CSA class garment based on ambient light and task. Use Class 2 for moderate visibility environments (indoor/overcast). Use Class 3 for low visibility (night, heavy rain, or high-speed traffic).

3 Inspect the high-visibility garment before each use. Check for fading, tearing, reflective tape delamination, or missing closure hardware. Discard any garment that fails inspection.

4 Don the garment properly: fasten all snaps, zippers, or Velcro closures. Ensure the garment lies flat and does not snag on equipment. The reflective tape must be unobstructed and visible from all sides.

5 Maintain continuous visibility while inside the active zone. Do not remove the garment, even during breaks or when stepping away from the immediate forklift path. Supervisors will enforce compliance.

6 Replace the garment when it no longer meets retroreflectivity or colour standards. Wash according to manufacturer instructions; do not use bleach or fabric softeners. Record replacement dates in the PPE log.

High Visibility Clothing Requirements for Yard Forklift

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