Use reflective materials and retroreflective tape on work clothing
Retroreflective materials usually consist of tiny glass beads or prismatic elements encapsulated in a transparent film that reflect light back towards the light source. Retroreflective tape is a material that is often sewn or glued onto clothing to make the wearer more visible to others, especially in the dark.
Tape reflects light and is an essential item for safety, letting others know of your presence. Retroreflective tape is often used on work shirts, overalls, vests, jackets, etc. In addition to its use for business purposes, wearing it during normal nighttime walking or in the rain can help prevent traffic accidents. Reflective tape is applied to clothing in various patterns, including vertical and horizontal stripes, and is available in patterns suited to the type of work being done.
Precautions when using retroreflective tape
While the use of reflective tape has proven to be extremely effective in keeping you safe in everything from everyday life to rugged workplaces, being aware of some potential hazards in its use can help you stay even safer.
If the reflective tape extends over the shoulders, it may increase heat accumulation around the shoulders, neck and ears, so make sure the tape is not positioned on the shoulders when using it in hot weather or in a workplace with a lot of sunlight.
You should also be careful when using reflective tape inside your vehicle, as the retro-reflected light can be reflected back onto the windshield, obstructing visibility and making it difficult to see outside the vehicle through the windows, creating a potential driving hazard.
In a car, the main hazard is glare from the sun above, so removing the tape from the shoulders or applying it below arm height can reduce driving hazards, and a removable vest may be required. 
As some tapes age, they can crack, fray or become worn, and when exposed to heat from particles from welding or grinding operations, they can smolder or melt.
Flame retardant reflective material
To use reflective tape and clothing with reflective materials more safely, it is necessary to consider the work environment and where the clothing will be used and use reflective materials appropriately.
When used in places where heat is generated, especially in fire-resistant clothing, there are special heat-resistant and flame-retardant tapes available, so it is necessary to use reflective materials to deal with heat.
Types of flame retardant reflective fabric
In hot areas, flame-retardant reflective fabrics are used, and there are many different types.- Aramid flame retardant reflective fabric 100% aramid fiber:
- Cotton flame retardant reflective fabric 100% cotton: For general flame-retardant protective clothing and work clothes
- Aramid antistatic flame retardant reflective fabric 97% aramid fiber, 3% antistatic fiber: Suitable for fire-retardant protective clothing and firefighting clothing that require antistatic properties
- Flame retardant heat transfer reflective film 100% polyester: For flame retardant fabrics, winter clothing, raincoats, general flame-retardant protective clothing and work clothes