With over 8 million people working in the construction industry in the US picking the right hi vis apparel for your teams is important to maintain as safe of a workforce as possible.
Choosing the right hi-vis apparel is not just about compliance but also about protecting workers and representing the brand professionally. So let’s see if we can break this down to an easier to understand topic.
What is ANSI/ISEA 107? It's the American National Standard Institute for high-visibility safety apparel and accessories.
Key Elements of the Standard: Requirements for background material, retroreflective material, and combined performance material.
Understanding the Performance Classes:
- Class 1:
- Description: Lowest visibility, for workers in controlled environments with ample separation from traffic.
- Background Material: Minimum 217 sq in.
- Retroreflective Material: Minimum 155 sq in.
- Examples: Parking attendants, warehouse workers (low-speed traffic), delivery drivers.
- Class 2:
- Description: For workers in moderate-risk environments with traffic speeds up to 50 mph. Provides greater visibility.
- Background Material: Minimum 775 sq in.
- Retroreflective Material: Minimum 201 sq in.
- Examples: Road construction crews, utility workers, airport baggage handlers.
- Class 3:
- Description: Highest visibility for workers in high-risk environments with traffic speeds exceeding 50 mph. Garments must cover the torso and have sleeves or pant legs.
- Background Material: Minimum 1240 sq in.
- Retroreflective Material: Minimum 310 sq in.
- Examples: Highway construction workers, emergency responders, tow truck operators.
Understanding these ANSI classes is the first step in ensuring your branded hi-vis apparel meets safety regulations and provides adequate protection for your team.
Common Hi-Vis Colors and Their Applications:
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- Fluorescent Yellow-Green (Lime): Most conspicuous in daylight and low-light conditions. Widely used.
- Fluorescent Orange-Red: Excellent visibility in dusk, dawn, and foggy conditions. Often used in construction and road work.
- Fluorescent Red: Highly visible and often associated with emergency services. Less commonly used but still an option.
The Critical Role of Reflective Features: Day vs. Night Visibility
- What is Retroreflectivity? Reflective material bounces light back to the source (e.g., headlights), making the wearer highly visible in low-light and nighttime conditions.
- Why Hi-Vis Colors Alone Aren't Enough at Night: Fluorescent colors are most effective during daylight hours. Without reflective elements, the garment's visibility significantly decreases in darkness.
When Might Hi-Vis Colors Alone Be Used? In controlled environments where the risk of low-light hazards is minimal and reflective properties are not a requirement (e.g., some indoor warehouse settings with excellent lighting, running event, apparel worn reflective items). They significantly reduce visibility during dusk, dawn, and nighttime without reflective elements but are better than non hi-vis colors. They can also be done just to add an element of safety to your employees day to day operations. Reflective imprinting can be done to increase visibility but doesn’t count towards the ANSI rating in most cases. Another benefit of putting your brand on hi-vis colors is the added visibility of your brand on the wearer.
Important Disclaimer: Carefully assess their work environment and safety requirements before considering hi-vis apparel without reflective features. This option often does not meet ANSI standards for most outdoor or low-light work scenarios.
Making the Right Choice for Your Brand: Factors to Consider
- Work Environment and Hazards: Thoroughly assess the specific risks and lighting conditions of the work being performed.
- ANSI Requirements: Ensure all chosen apparel meets the necessary ANSI class for the intended use.
- Comfort and Durability: Consider the wearers' comfort and the longevity of the garments.
- Budget: Balance safety needs with budgetary constraints.
Ideation's is committed to providing compliant and effective high-visibility branded apparel. We will help find the garments with the correct ANSI standards, design integration for hi-visibility, sourcing of quality materials, etc. Reach out today to get creative contact us to get started.
