why hi viz?

Crazy L · #1 16-01-2014

I've been racing for a number of years now. I'm also quite aware of the dangers that life can throw at you.

So here's the thing, it might have some you mollycoddled types up in arms that I'm even asking so be warned.

Why is there an increasing number of places at a track where you need to wear a hi viz vest?

Lets look at it like this, a hi viz vest is usually used by a person in a hazardous place where other people may not know that they are there etc etc. So, with that in mind, when at an RC track, we KNOW there are marshals, we KNOW there are people in the pitlane.

As for marshals, are they not big enough to see? everyone gets a clout on the foot now and again, but if you need a visual aid to tell you there is a 5ft+ mound of moving mammal next to the track, maybe you shouldn't be driving a fast moving 18" or less object from a distance away...just saying.

As for pit "bitches", why? They are stood usually away from the action, behind a large wooden ramp, beneath you at most times, you know they are there, the marshals know they are there, as does the race director, and any spectating public. Are they afraid they will not be seen? Pretty damn hard considering how busy pitlanes can get, how can you not "see" someone there.

I suspect it's just H&S gone mad, and politics, and bureaucracy. Most of you who know me know I don't buy into such tripe, as I like to think for myself (I can feel a Denis Leary rant coming on

)

Anyway, answers on a postcard please, or, for convenience, just reply to the post.

Danosborne6661 · #2 16-01-2014

Because we're bat shit crazy for health and safety in the UK

CHEVY · #3 16-01-2014

when clubs think one size fits all from kids to big lads

mattr · #4 16-01-2014

It's not health and safety gone mad, it's health and safety badly applied.
The risk assessment for a marshall (in the line of fire) should be completely different to that of pit crew. But it's easier to lump them all in as one category and say "they need hi viz"

TBH there are bigger issues around badly fitting hi viz than there are around being trackside. (You seen how fast a mini pin will grip, rip and snag on one of those airtex hi viz tops?) but hi viz is one of the first things a badly trained HSE bod will ask about. They are unlikely to actually read the risk assessment, or understand it.

Not to mention that the drivers are looking at the floor, not 1-2m above it. We really need hi viz trousers to be safe.

justleanitupabit · #5 16-01-2014

I agree with you on pit crew. I disagree on marshals.

Where marshals are concerned, while you know they are about on the track, it is easier to identify and locate a marshall and take avoiding action if needs be when a marshal is wearing a vest and in the line of fire. Now you might say "but I shouldn't have to...." or "the marshal should be paying attention" or something similar but unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world and if the risk of injury are lessened slightly by something as simple as wearing a high-viz vest then so be it. Its not exactly a hardship wearing one.

A chap I know has a massive lump on his shin from getting hit at the IBR 1/8th meeting at Padova. The IBR doesn't really enforce any message to marshalls other than "don't get hit" and no vests are supplied. Obviously we can't know if he'd had got hit had he been wearing one anyway but I can't help but think its less likely. Getting a Rallycross car in the head at any speed really doesn't bear thinking about.

PaulRotheram · #6 16-01-2014

Just wear the vest...

crtpromachine · #7 16-01-2014

I think you will find this has been raised by the amount of accidents that has ocured over the last few years .Yes I KNOW what you are going to say so what are the HI VIZ VESTS going to prove well in my opinion bugger all but at least the clubs are insured and covered if they are running to the rules of BRCA;

Marshalling HI VIS VESTS i can understand as this has been out for many years but pit bitches well that is another story tbh with you as some of the pit bitches do not even have a valid BRCA Licence so insurance would be voided anyway if they got hurt but it is like all things i persume same shit different day

DCM · #8 16-01-2014

It is so the Race Director can determin who is marshalling and who isn't.

Crazy L · #9 16-01-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCM

It is so the Race Director can determin who is marshalling and who isn't.

Ah, there we go. A sensible non ranting answer to my question, Cheers.

As opposed to....

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue_pinky

I'm not convinced it's that big a deal though...they don't do any harm to anything or anyone, and they are hardly an inconvenience. so what's the problem if the race organisers that enforce them find them useful for something? Why worry about it?

Whoa there nelly.

Thank you for all your answers. The winner is DCM though.

...but I bet all drivers on the rostrum are wearing them by 2017 and no one questions why.

James · #10 16-01-2014

At BRCA events you need to know whether a marshal has been relieved or not (ooh err) as a penalty ensues if not, so it helps identify that. Also only appointed marshals are allowed to rescue/interfere with cars at BRCA/EFRA events so helps distinguish that too. Plus if standing out bby using a bright colour more reduces your or some youngsters chance of getting hit by even a small amount is the chore of taking 30 seconds to put a hi-vis on really that much of an issue? Its just duty of care to do what you can to look after your racers.
I don't know about the pit man thing.. Seems sensible to only allow relevant personnel on the track though, and if you've ever run a race meeting then being able to identify marshals, pit people very in the 2 minutes between races quickly is a lot easier when you just have to look for a hi-vis.