WP Status: Completed on Dec 2019
The objectives of WP2 were:
1. Make project results publicly available.
2. Inform the public about the project.
Main Tasks
1. Submission of Scientific Paper.
2. Information days: Present the project at universities and other relevant organisations.
Relevant Information and Documents
1. Paper Submitted. Title: “Selecting effective colors for high-visibility safety apparel”
Abstract
The proper use of high-visibility safety apparel (HVSA) makes personnel conspicuous and reduces accident rates. Amongst the main factors affecting daytime conspicuity is the color contrast between HVSA and the ambient background environment. Selecting HVSA without considering their contrast to the worksite environment, results in situations where HVSA fail to provide the desired conspicuity. One example is the use of red HVSA on an oil tanker that has a brown deck. This paper presents a methodology for selecting colors for HVSA. Using image analysis techniques, we assess the contrast between a set of high-visibility colors and colors present at a worksite and determine which high-visibility color is the most effective for the particular worksite. The methodology was experimentally validated with the help of 50 volunteers and the use of a custom-made validation software. Results showed a 35 % reduction in the time required to detect workers when the color of their HVSA was changed to match the color determined as per the proposed methodology.
2. Presentation at RISE
Date and time: 20th June 2019, 10:00 am
Location: Nicosia, PWC offices. Address: Julia House, 21612, CY1591, Themistokli Dervi 3, Nicosia 1066
Download: Invitation Brochure
Download: Presentation
2. Presentation at Department of Labour Inspection
Date and time: 23rd January 2020, 12:00 am
Location: Department of Labour Inspection, Nicosia
Download: Presentation
2. Presentation at University of Nicosia
Date and time: 3rd February 2020, 17:00
Location: University of Nicosia, Address: Makedonitissis 46, Nicosia 2417
Download: Presentation
3. Paper titled “Colors that stand out! Increase safety by selecting effective high-visibility colors.”
Abstract
Conspicuity is the property of an object to stand out of its surroundings and attract visual attention. At the majority of Oil & Gas facilities, personnel is required to wear high-visibility safety apparel (HVSA) in order to increase conspicuity and reduce the rate of “looked-but-failed-to-see” accidents. The main factor affecting conspicuity is the color contrast between HVSA and the ambient background against which it is seen. The two widely-adopted standards for HVSA are EN ISO 20471:2013 and ANSI/ISEA 107-2015. Both standards specify three colors for HVSA: fluorescent yellow, fluorescent orange, and fluorescent red. In most situations, these three colors can offer high color contrast and succeed in increasing conspicuity. However, they are not very effective in the offshore Oil & Gas environment because similar colors are used for painting equipment and infrastructure. One example is the use of orange HVSA at an Oil & Gas platform overwhelmed by yellow and red equipment. Another example is the use of red HVSA on the brown-painted deck of a shuttle tanker. In both cases, the color of HVSA and the predominant colors in the surrounding environment are similar, rendering offshore personnel hard to spot.
This paper identifies the need for an expanded pallet of standard HVSA colors and introduces three extra colors: fluorescent green, fluorescent blue, and fluorescent magenta. Having a pallet of six HVSA colors, we proceed with the development of a simple method for determining the most effective HVSA color for a particular offshore site. At the core of the proposed method, is a Color Matrix that maps combinations of ambient background colors and HVSA colors that do not provide sufficient contrast and should be avoided. Through an elimination process, the most effective amongst the six HVSA colors is determined. Two examples demonstrating how the method is applied are also presented; one for the case of an offshore production platform and one for the case of a drilling ship. The proposed method can serve as a tool for safety practitioners wishing to quickly find effective HVSA colors. It can be used during the development of HSE Plans or during HSE Audits.