When must employers provide reflective vests to workers?

Employers are required to provide reflective vests to workers primarily in areas where traffic accidents may occur. This is because reflective vests enhance visibility, making it easier for drivers and other individuals to see workers who are potentially in harm's way due to moving vehicles. Such areas could include construction sites, roadways, and locations where there is high pedestrian traffic or vehicle movement.

By ensuring that workers are outfitted with reflective vests, employers significantly reduce the risk of accidents, thereby enhancing safety measures within the workplace. The use of reflective material is crucial in situations where visibility can be compromised, especially in low-light conditions or when there might be conflicting visual stimuli, such as moving machinery or vehicles.

In contrast, the other choices do not encapsulate the full scope of conditions that necessitate the use of reflective vests. For example, wearing reflective vests only at night does not address the need for visibility during daylight hours in potential danger zones. Similarly, while high visibility areas and working near machinery are important considerations for worker safety, they do not specifically relate to the heightened risk of traffic-related incidents where reflective vests are most critical.