What do you think of when you hear the term safety orange? Does a clear picture come to mind of a vest or traffic cones?

This recognizable color has been used for years in demolition, construction, and even recreation. Although it has worldwide notoriety, not many people know that this color has a history that dates back to the 1500s.

Keep reading to learn the origin story of safety orange and the practical uses of the color in the modern world.

The History of Safety Orange

The color we know as safety orange or blaze orange has gone by several names in history. At first, it was called red-yellow because it was a combination of two primary colors.

The name later changed to "tawny" or "orange tawny". Finally, the name "orange" came to be when the bright orange citrus fruits were first brought to Europe. Since then we have come to know a few different shades of orange; tangerine, honey, tiger, etc.

The most well-known shade of orange is safety or blaze orange. The color is intended to grab a person's attention right away which makes it perfect for safety warnings.

Uses of Safety Orange

You probably already have a few ideas in your head of where you've seen safety orange.

On construction sites, workers often use safety orange vests and a safety orange hat, or both. This allows workers to see each other on-site and locate one another in a potential accident.

You will also find safety orange is perfect for traffic cones. Drivers are constantly distracted by things inside and outside the car. We become more alert when we see the bright cone in front of us. Moreover, we have been conditioned to know that color probably means we need to slow down, stop, or drive cautiously.

Safety orange is also sometimes called hunter orange because hunters are encouraged to wear it. This prevents accidents in heavily forested areas where it is hard to see other hunters nearby.

The Department of Occupation and Agriculture (OSHA) has its own shade of orange. It's intended to warn people about a potential hazard or dangerous environment.

Why It Works

The color orange, especially safety orange, is offputting. People don't usually like it or feel comfortable around it. This is why it is so effective in getting attention and warning individuals of potentially dangerous situations.

We have also come to associate safety orange with hazard and caution and alertness. The color itself triggers a reaction, but so does our past experiences and associations with the color.

Buying Safety Orange Supplies

Buying appropriate safety orange supplies could be the difference between a worksite accident and just another day on the job. You have the opportunity to protect yourself, your coworkers, and even the community by investing in safety supplies.

Be smart and be responsible. Use safety orange to your advantage!

If you're looking to buy safety supplies for your business, shop with us online.