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High visibility safety clothing men on road

High Visibility Guide

According to the CPWR Construction Workers Fatality Map, there were 8,278 fatal injuries among construction workers in 2024. Of these injuries, 36% were due to falls, slips, and trips, while 22% were caused by contact with objects and equipment. This highlights the importance of wearing high-visibility clothing and safety equipment in highway construction work zones, where workers are exposed to the risks posed by vehicles and equipment. Enhanced visibility can significantly protect workers from hazards in busy areas.

High Visibility Safety Clothing With ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 

Based on various circumstances, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard classes are designed to protect workers from highway and road work zone accidents. These were created taking into account color, reflective materials, and fabric type—all of which are significant to the construction industry.

ANSI Class 1 

Employees working in low-risk areas, such as residential or educational areas, where traffic speeds do not exceed 25 mph, are intended to wear Class 1 high visibility clothing. These safety vests come with reflective striping and contrasting color trim. At least one horizontal band of reflective material around the arms or on the shoulder is required for a class 1 garment. They are also referred to as "Type O Class 1 clothing" because type O stands for off-road class 1 apparel, and they were designed to meet the needs of less complicated or low risk work environments. 

ANSI Class 2

Class 2 safety clothing is categorized for workers on roads with traffic speeds higher than 25 mph. These safety clothing should also have at least one horizontal retroreflective band, including extra contrast backing of bright colors. Some of the Type R Class 2 clothing also lined with 2" silver reflective tape.

The Type R and Type P ANSI standards apply to certain types of safety apparel. Type R Class 2 is designed for use in road environments, traffic, or complex areas. In contrast, Type P Class 2 is intended for public safety personnel working in high-risk situations. Class 2 garments can be worn by the workers working as flaggers, as per the MUTCD 2003 edition for enhanced visibility. They are used by workers who perform tasks in environments with medium-level traffic or potential hazards, such as construction workers, traffic controllers, surveyors, airport baggage handlers, and ground crews, where increased visibility is essential for safety.

ANSI Class 3

Class 3 high visibility work clothing offers the highest level of visibility in high risk environments. These garments include Type R and Type P safety apparel. According to ANSI standards, Class 3 garments must feature at least one retroreflective horizontal band and one or more reflective tapes on the sleeves. These safety clothing is worn by highway construction crews, emergency responders, nighttime operations, and airport personnel working in areas with fast-moving vehicles or equipment, where maximum visibility is critical for safety.

ANSI Class E

Class E signifies enhanced visibility with specific requirements. It increases visibility for the pants or skirts, the lower body clothing. It must be made with retroreflective material and fluorescent colors. For optimal visibility, these pants must be worn with a Class 2 or Class 3 jacket. Class E safety clothing is designed for workers such as road construction crews, traffic control officers, and utility maintenance teams who require enhanced visibility for their lower body while working in high-traffic areas or near moving vehicles and heavy equipment.

OSHA High Visibility Clothing Requirements

OSHA mandates that all employees within road/highway construction work zones must wear high-visibility clothing to ensure their safety. The General Duty Clause enforces this requirement, which requires employers to provide a workplace free from known hazards by nearby vehicles. 

OSHA also references the above-mentioned ANSI/ISEA 107 standard for high visibility safety apparel, which classifies safety clothing into three performance classes based on the level of risk and required visibility:

Additionally, the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) has issued the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which includes specific guidelines requiring high-visibility safety apparel for workers exposed to public traffic or construction vehicles. MUTCD standards reinforce the importance of using appropriate safety garments to enhance visibility and reduce hazards in highway and road construction zones.

Employers are responsible for assessing the work environment to determine the appropriate class of high-visibility apparel necessary to protect workers effectively. Adhering to these guidelines helps mitigate the risk of accidents and ensures the safety of workers operating in hazardous environments.

Operating a machine or driving a construction vehicle? Wearing high visibility clothing during such tasks would help you to get noticed and prevent fatal injuries. This could be important for people who work in such fields, like construction workers. Also, follow the above guidelines before buying high visibility safety clothing.

 

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