How refreshing it was to make a collection from a (medium sized) textile company in Wakefield and not to see one hi-vis jacket. The people there seemed pleased to see me, talking and smiling, amazing! Compare this to my previous collection of steel from Birmingham - At the gate I was asked by a miserable security guard if I had, boots, hi-vis, and helmet. I proudly replied 'yes' only to be told I needed a chin-strap for the helmet and eye protection! I said, 'all I would be doing is opening the back doors' and the security guard said, 'it's all about money mate'! To be fair, they gave me the chin-strap and the glasses but I think he had a point.  

It was like oppression (or is it regulation) and the mood of the people at the factory reflected this. It seems to me the 'applied' health & safety is inversely proportional to the general happiness of the company.   I remember it was only railway workers who needed hi-vis so the engine driver had more time to stop if they were working on the line. Do these jackets really stop you from getting run over by a forklift? If they do, great, I won't need to look where I going as much! Risk compensation is what I mean. I question their usefulness but what is the point as no one in management would be brave/stupid enough to not enforce them once they have been enforced.

Most of my driving has been abroad where hi-vis and health and safety are rarely seen unless you are working on the road and they run rings round us on quality, productivity and innovation.  

The other day I tried to pass a booking clerk my mobile phone as it had the reference number on a text message. She held up her hands and said, 'I don't touch mobile phones, you'll have to write in down.'  

In a few years we'll just be sitting here in our hi-vis too scared to do anything in case we are 'at risk' or break a rule. But everybody knows all this, don't they?

John English has been trading for 20 years, mainly international work but more recently in the UK. He runs 4 Scania artic trucks, all unmarked white, and his drivers are all British drivers with around 20 years' experience