Wear That Vest!

By Randall C. Resch                                                 

A group of forum participants reacted to an online question: “Why do tow operators have to wear reflective vests?” While this seemed to be one of those laughable “fishing expeditions” by the Tow Police, I think this topic bears repeating because too many towers don’t understand the full safety importance or the meaning of contract requirements.

So, what’s the big deal about tow operators not wearing reflective vests when working outside their trucks? To me “being seen” is one of the industry’s biggest on-scene safety components. You see towers all the time working outside their trucks during nighttime tow and recovery events and they’re not wearing reflective vests. If you’re that tower who doesn’t wear a reflective vest, what part of roadway safety don’t you understand?

“I Didn’t See Em”

May 2017, a California tow owner/operator responded to a nighttime, on-highway call to transport a disabled SUV. In-process of loading the SUV onto his flatbed carrier, the tow owner, allegedly working on the white-line side of the carrier, was struck by an approaching vehicle. The CHP reported the tower wasn’t wearing a reflective vest and possibly may have been standing in a “live” traffic lane.

These on-scene conditions are likely the cause of the tower’s demise, not simply because the motorist failed to slow down and move over.

In 2008, a Texas tow operator, clearing debris from a previous (nighttime) accident, was struck and killed by an approaching motorist as he too wasn’t wearing a reflective vest. The motorist told DPS, “I didn’t see the tow truck guy!” 

While wearing a reflective vest doesn't offer physical protection, they do make tow operators more visible as-well-as OSHA and MUTCD compliant during nighttime operations. Would wearing a vest have made any difference in either of these scenarios? If you guessed “Yes,” you’re right.

There IS a Difference

Reflective vests or uniforms differentiate tow operators as on-scene workers; not just another motorist, other lookie Lou, or someone not involved in tow, load, rescue or recovery. Because the industry has identified them as a PPE item, wearing them becomes an obvious safety necessity and a prerequisite of law enforcement contracts.

Requirements are obvious and mandated in California Highway Patrol’s “Rotation Contract” for tow truck operators. The Tow Service Agreement, states: "Tow Operators shall wear appropriate warning garments (e.g., vests, jackets, shirts, retroreflective clothing) during daylight and hours of darkness in accordance with Code of Title 8, Section 1598 CCR. If the tow truck driver is working on a Federal-aid highway, the operator shall comply with the guidelines contained in the Federal Code of Regulations, Title 23, Highways, Chapter 1, Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation, Part 634, Worker Visibility, which requires high-visibility personal protective safety clothing to be worn that meets the Performance Class 3 requirements of the ANSI/ISEA 107-2004.”

When workers are working “close to moving vehicular traffic,” the Federal Highway Administration requires the mandatory wearing of “high-visibility garments” for all workers involved in activities on city streets, roads and highways. If your tow operators can’t remember to wear a vest, perhaps it’s time to lease uniforms with reflective striping sewn into their daily uniforms. At least that way, the typical excuse “I left my vest in my car,” doesn’t hold water.

For workers who wear ANSI vests, “reflect-ability” lets other workers see where they’re standing too. This is incredibly true to working complicated nighttime recoveries.

Danger Still Exists

Remember, vests aren't iron shields. Wearing a vest creates a “false sense of security” not to be relied upon but I believe vests offer great value to the wearer's visibility - especially when working extreme weather incidents like blizzards, heavy fog and torrential rain.

While having to “don” a vest “every time” might be an inconvenience, wearing reflective vests help ensure that roadside workers are visible during nighttime scenarios, AND, easily seen during the day.

So, when towers are on-scene and involved as a "pedestrian worker,” what will OSHA or the tow company’s insurance provider say if the tower is struck, injured or killed without wearing a vest? Hot or not, I require my operators to wear them when in-process of tow, recovery and training events. I recommend you wear yours too - day or night!    ................................

Operations Editor Randall C. Resch is a retired California police officer and veteran tow business owner. As consultant and trainer, he authored and teaches a tow truck operator safety course approved by the California Highway Patrol. For 51-years, he has been involved in the towing and recovery industry. In 26-years, he has contributed more than 700-safety focused articles for American Towman Magazine and TowIndustryWeek.com. He was inducted to the International Towing and Recovery Industry Hall of Fame, was the 3rd recipient of the industry's "Dave Jones Leadership Award," and is a member of American Towman’s Safety Committee. Email Randy at rreschran@gmail.com.