High Visibility Clothing Selection

A recent addition to the Enviro Safety Product’s Resource Center is the High Visibility Clothing Selection Guide. The variety of safety vests and other high visibility apparel makes the process of selecting the correct garment for the appropriate conditions difficult at best. The importance of protective clothing cannot be over emphasized, as this protective measure is critical to the well-being and success of any worker environment. There are a number of considerations when selecting high visibility clothing. First, one must consider the risk involved in the work environment. The closer to moving traffic, the higher the degree of visibility required. Is the worker primarily working during the day or at night? Second, one must judge how suitable the garment is for the job. Loose fitting garments may not be appropriate where moving machinery parts could snag on the protective clothing. Weather conditions, summer versus winter, all play into the selection of the correct high visibility clothing; vests, jackets, rainwear, etc.. There are three classes of garments specified in the ANSI/ISEA 107-2010 standard for high visibility safety apparel, which specifies design, requirements for material used, performance requirements and care labeling. The classes affirm the minimum amount of background and retroreflective (returns light directly to the source) material, the placement of retroreflective material, and garment design requirements. Non-ANSI and Class 2 garments include vests and t-shirts. Class 3 garments include vests with Class E pants, coveralls, outerwear and rainwear. Quick Question: Does open weave or mesh meet the background materials requirements of the standard? ANSI/ISEA 107-2010 is a performance standard and the material specifications are not written to include or exclude any materials if they meet the requirements for visibility or durability. Many compliant mesh products are available in the marketplace. Please visit our resource center for more information on safety products.