High-visibility safety clothing is one of the most important personal protective equipment (PPE) for high-risk jobs. Roadway construction workers, emergency responders, and others who work near moving vehicles or high-speed traffic rely on these high-visibility materials to stay safe.
Safety vests are divided into three classes based on the level of visibility needed. Each class—1, 2, and 3—must meet strict occupational safety regulations. Here's how they differ and which jobs require each class of vest.
What Are Safety Vests?
High-visibility safety vests provide maximum visibility to utility workers, emergency personnel, school crossing guards, railway workers, and others, reducing the risk of accidents or injuries. This high-visibility clothing is made with durable materials and bright safety vest colors to stand out in low light and inclement weather conditions.
They’re typically in bright colors like orange, yellow, and green and have reflective stripes along the vest or other clothing. The combination of bright colors and reflective tape makes it easier for equipment operators and other personnel to spot workers and avoid accidentally injuring someone.
Overview of Classifications
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) have strict standards for companies creating Hi-Vis safety vests.
The two organizations partnered to create the ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 standard, which has three safety vest classifications. These ANSI safety vest classes have strict standards regarding reflective and background material and overall visibility.
Class 1 Safety Vests
Class 1 safety vests provide the least visibility among the three classes. These are ideal for use in environments with lower risk and slower-moving traffic. Specifications for class 1 safety vests include:
- A minimum of 217 square inches of background material
- A minimum of 155 square inches of reflective material
- Typically sleeveless and waist-length
These vests are ideal for scenarios where workers are separated from traffic moving no faster than 25 mph. Class 1 high-visibility clothing is best suited for:
- Sidewalk maintenance workers
- Parking lot attendants
- Delivery drivers in low-traffic areas
Class 2 Safety Vests
Class 2 safety vests offer more visibility than class 1 vests, making them more suitable for environments with moderate risk and higher traffic speeds. The specifications for class 2 ANSI safety vests are:
- A minimum of 775 square inches of background material
- A minimum of 201 square inches of retro-reflective material
- Usually has sleeves and extends past the waist
These vests have additional reflective materials, making them appropriate for work environments where vehicle speeds range from 25 to 50 mph. They provide enhanced visibility in inclement weather or poor visibility conditions, like during dusk or dawn. These vests are required for:
- Toll booth operators
- School crossing guards
- Railway workers
- Roadway and construction workers
- Parking gate personel
- Utility workers
Class 3 Safety Vests
Class 3 safety vests offer workers the highest level of visibility among the ANSI safety apparel classes. They’re designed for use in the most hazardous environments that need greater visibility. The specifications for class 3 vests are:
- A minimum of 1,240 square inches of background material
- A minimum of 310 square inches of reflective material
- It has to have sleeves and sometimes include pants or shorts for full-body visibility
To comply with workplace safety, class 3 vests are needed in environments where traffic speeds are 50 mph or more, have low light conditions, and for workers who need to be visible from a safe distance, at least 1,280 feet away. People and environments that need class 3 safety vests are:
- Tow truck operators on freeways
- Highway workers on construction sites
- Flaggers on high-speed roadways
- Emergency responders
- Utility workers in high-traffic areas
Class 2 vs Class 3 Safety Vest
Class 2 and class 3 safety vests provide high visibility to workers, but there are some significant differences between the two:
- Coverage: Class 3 vests offer superior visibility because of their larger surface area of fluorescent and reflective materials. Class 2 vests provide good visibility but are less conspicuous, especially from farther distances.
- Visibility: Class 3 vests have sleeves and even pants, offering 360-degree visibility, while class 2 vests cover the torso and might extend past the waist but don’t always have sleeves.
- Work Environment: Class 3 vests are for the highest-risk environments, while class 2 cests are for moderate-risk environments.
- Compliance: Some job sites might specifically require wearing class 3 vests, especially at night on highways. Class 2 safety vests meet the requirements for many daytime work scenarios.
When to Use Class 2 vs. Class 3 Safety Vests
Wearing safety vests depends on several factors. Use class 2 safety vests for:
- Daytime work on roads with speed limits less than 50 mph
- When workers need to be visible at a minimum of 1,000 feet
- Airport baggage handlers, garbage collection, and forestry operations
Use class 3 vests for:
- Nighttime work on any roadway
- Daytime work on roads with speed limits over 50 mph
- Emergency response situations
- Environments requiring visibility of 1,280 feet or more
- Work near high-traffic areas
Material and Durability
High-visibility vests need to be durable, but their durability depends on the materials used to make them:
- Reflective Material: Glass bead technology or prismatic reflective tap is used for nighttime visibility, and class 3 usually has wider and more reflective straps.
- Background Material: Class 2 and 3 vests usually have fluorescent yellow, green, red, or safety orange background colors. They commonly use polyester and mesh.
- Comfort: Most vests have moisture-wicking technology to keep people more comfortable during the winter and rainy seasons.
- Durability: Class 3 vests often have more durable materials due to being used in harsher environments. Both class 2 and 3 are durable enough to withstand multiple washes and wear without losing reflective properties.
Visibility Requirements
Each class has specific visibility requirements. Class 2 must be visible from at least 1,000 feet away and have 201 square inches of reflective material. Class 3 must be visible from a minimum of 1,280 feet away and have 310 square inches of reflective material.
Additional Features
The additional features that you might see on some safety vests include:
- Class 2 vests have many small pockets
- Class 3 vests have larger pockets for more storage
- Breakaway design to prevent entanglement
- Clear pockets for ID badges
- Side straps and velcro for customizable fits
- Some class 3 vests have waterproof materials or hoods
Compliance and Regulations
Federal workplace safety laws set safety vest standards. Each industry has specific requirements for when and where workers must wear High-Visibility safety apparel. Let's look at the key regulations employers must follow:
- OSHA Requirements: The use of high-visibility safety apparel is mandatory in many work environments.
- ANSI/ISEA Standards: The current standard for class performance and safety.
- MUTCD Guidelines: The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices has guidelines for worker visibility on roadways.
- Industry-Specific Standards: Some industries have additional regulations they need to follow for safety.
Cost Comparison
The cost of high-visibility apparel depends on several factors. Class 2 vests range from $10 to $50, with the most basic models being the most affordable. Adding additional features will increase the price.
Class 3 vests can cost between $20 to $100 or more because of the higher cost of reflective material and advanced features. Factors that affect cost are:
- Brand reputation
- Material quality
- Compliance
- Additional features
How to Choose the Right Safety Vest
Selecting the right safety vest involves considering several factors:
- Consider traffic speeds, potential hazards, and light conditions of your work environment
- Look for breathable materials and adjustable designs that are comfortable
- Ensure that the vests meet all compliance standards for your industry
- Look at vests that have high durability and visibility properties even after several washes
- Decide if you need extra pockets or a breakaway design
The Bottom Line
Safety vests are vibrant pieces of protective equipment with reflective tape that help keep workers in various industries safe. With three different classes, ensuring you’re getting the right one for your job is key to staying as safe as possible.
Class 1 vests provide the least optimal visibility and are great in low-traffic areas during the daytime. Class 2 vests offer more visibility and are ideal in moderate-risk environments, while class 3 vests offer the most visibility in higher-risk and dangerous environments.
As you shop for a safety vest, ensure it’s suitable for your job and meets all regulations set forth by OSHA, ANSI/ISEA, and any regulators within your industry.