Flasher jackets light up to prevent collisions

Hi-viz jackets and vests have been developed that flash when the wearer is about to be run down.

Above: Officially, they are called ‘proximity alarm jackets’

The idea is that when the intelligent workwear flashes, both the wearer and the nearby driver are alerted to the impending risk and thus take appropriate evasive action.

The jackets also vibrate and beep.

OnGrade, a specialist developer of proximity warning indicators, has teamed up with high visibility clothing manufacturer Visijax to produce this ‘wearable anti-collision technology’.

Visijax is part of the Wearable Technologies group of companies that develops solutions for the connected worker of the future.

Visijax and OnGrade have collaborated to integrate OnGrade’s SiteZone radio-frequency identification (RFID) proximity warning alarm system across the full range of Visijax PPE jackets and vests, which embed washable electronics to enhance worker safety. Workers being hit by moving vehicles is one of the most common causes of workplace injuries.

Like SiteZone, the Visijax garments contain a two-way RFID warning device; transmitters contained in both the vehicle and the worker’s high visibility jacket or vest communicate with each other, providing a full 360-degree detection zone and the ability to see around corners. The vehicle on-board receiver detects the location of RFID tag-wearing personnel and alerts the driver and worker to each other’s presence to prevent a collision between the two.

Visijax goes one step further and adds a visual dimension to the proximity warning system so the wearer is instantly warned and identifiable by vibration, sight, and by sound.

OnGrade director Gary Escott said: “Once again we are pushing the boundary of anti-collision protection by collaborating with Visijax on the new proximity warning garments. Through practical need and creative technology, we’ve found yet another way to reduce the risk of pedestrian/vehicle collision across several sectors of operation.”

Wearable Technologies CEO Mark Bernstein added: “The flexibility of our wearable technology as ‘personal hubs’ makes this partnership between the Visijax and SiteZone a perfect match for anti-collision safety. This is just the first step in making proximity warning safety wear smarter and more efficient.”