ADVISORY: New Federal Regulations Require Media to Wear Safety Vests on Highways
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 | 08:56am
NASHVILLE – Media crews working along the side of the roadway must wear federally approved safety apparel beginning Monday, November 24 according to a new U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) regulation. The new federal regulation requires all workers within a federal-aid highway right-of-way to wear high-visibility safety apparel. FHWA has stated that the new regulation does apply to the media. According to FHWA, this regulation seeks to make those working on, or in close proximity to, highway traffic or construction equipment more visible in an effort to reduce injuries or fatalities.
The new FHWA rule requires media outlets, including reporters, photographers and live truck operators, to wear federally approved high-visibility safety vests when working on or near a highway or a construction zone. TDOT advises employers to assume that all roadways are federal-aid highways for maximum compliance. Employers should also ensure that all employees are aware about the new regulation. Failure to wear appropriate safety attire may leave a media outlet open to various federal violations, but also civil liability in the event of injury to an employee not wearing such protective clothing.
High Visibility apparel must meet performance class 2 or 3 requirements of the ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 standards. The entire federal rule can be found at: http://www.workzonesafety.org/files/documents/laws_regulations/federal/nov_24_06.pdf
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