What You Need to Know About High Visibility and ANSI Standards?

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requirements of ANSI 107-2020 - Stronger security is required
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multimedia.3m.com
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ANSI/ISEA 107-2020: High-Visibility Safety Apparel
blog.ansi.org favicon
blog.ansi.org
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Understanding Hi-Vis Standards: ANSI/ISEA 107 | Ergodyne
www.ergodyne.com favicon
www.ergodyne.com
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ANSI Class Safety Clothing | ANSI Hi Vis Safety Apparel - HiVis Supply
www.hivissupply.com favicon
www.hivissupply.com
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Answer
Here are the key things to know about high visibility safety apparel (HVSA) and ANSI standards: ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 is the current American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel12. This standard sets requirements for the design, performance, and materials used in HVSA like safety vests, jackets, and pants3. The standard defines different Types and Performance Classes of HVSA: Types:
  • Type O: For off-road and non-roadway use
  • Type R: For roadway and temporary traffic control zones
  • Type P: For public safety personnel like police and firefighters34
Performance Classes:
  • Class 1: Lowest visibility level, for off-road use only
  • Class 2: Moderate visibility, for roadway workers
  • Class 3: Highest visibility, for high-risk roadway workers34
Key requirements include:
  • Minimum amounts of fluorescent background material and retroreflective material
  • Specific placement of retroreflective material around the torso
  • Color requirements (typically fluorescent yellow-green, orange, or red)
  • Material performance criteria for washability, colorfastness, etc.13
When selecting HVSA, consider:
  • The work environment and hazards present
  • Visibility needs during day, night, and low-light conditions
  • Comfort and functionality for the specific job tasks
  • Compliance with any applicable regulations34
To ensure compliance, look for garments labeled as meeting ANSI/ISEA 107-20205. Replace HVSA when faded or damaged, as this reduces effectiveness. Everyday use items may need replacement every 6 months5. Proper use of ANSI-compliant HVSA helps increase worker visibility and reduce struck-by injuries in hazardous work environments23. Understanding the standard's requirements allows employers to select appropriate HVSA for their workers' safety needs.

References

1. requirements of ANSI 107-2020 - Stronger security is required2. ANSI/ISEA 107-2020: High-Visibility Safety Apparel3. Understanding Hi-Vis Standards: ANSI/ISEA 107 | Ergodyne4. ANSI Class Safety Clothing | ANSI Hi Vis Safety Apparel - HiVis Supply5. What You Need to Know about High-Visibility Safety Apparel (HVSA)



Author: AWDirect



Key insights

  • ️ Designed to distinguish the worker from the environment, hi-vis safety vests are crucial for working in poor weather conditions.
  • The color of the background material and the combined performance material can be fluorescent orange–red or fluorescent yellow-green, providing options for different visibility needs.
  • Class 3 vests are designed for road personnel with high-task loads in a wide variety of weather conditions where traffic exceeds 50 mph.
  • Vests that are dirty don’t provide the same visual contrast as a new garment, affecting safety and visibility for workers.
  • 🧼 Always wash your vest in cold water and hang to dry, avoiding the use of a tumble dryer to maintain its reflective properties.

Timestamped Summary

  • 00:00 High-visibility safety vests are essential for tow truck operators to stay safe in various working conditions, with a background material and reflective strips.
  • 00:30 ANSI Hi-Visibility Safety Vests for Towing use retroreflective and fluorescent materials for visibility.
  • 00:59 ANSI regulations specify three classes of hi-vis vests with different visibility requirements, including retro-reflective material width, for workers near roadways in various weather conditions and traffic speeds.
  • 02:04 Choose from Velcro or zippers for fasteners, find pockets at the chest or waist, and care for your hi-vis vest to maintain its visibility.
  • 02:44 Wash ANSI Hi-Visibility Safety Vests in cold water, hang to dry, and limit washings to maintain effectiveness.
  • 03:26 ANSI Hi-Visibility Safety Vests are important for towing and can save lives, contact us with questions or suggestions.

Video Full Text

  • 00:00 Hello, my name is Paul. I'm from AW Direct's Technical Product Support Department. Whether you’re underneath a vehicle while hooking up, walking up an embankment at night, or crossing lanes of traffic to pick-up debris in poor weather conditions -- high-visibility traffic safety vests are the tow truck operator’s best defense for staying safe. Designed to distinguish the worker from the environment, hi-vis safety vests are made up of two parts. First, a background material. Such as the orange fabric on this vest.
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  • 00:30 And a retroreflective strip like this one here. Or a combined performance material that contrasts the retroreflective and fluorescent material. Such as the one on this vest. The color of the background material and the combined performance material can be fluorescent orange–red or fluorescent yellow-green. Retro-reflective material reflects light back to the source when light shines on it. This material can be silver reflective or prismatic.
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  • 00:59 ANSI regulations include three different classes that specify different hi-vis requirements. Class 2 vests have higher visibility than Class 1 and are intended for work near roadways where traffic exceeds 25 mph, or for greater visibility during inclement weather. The width of retro-reflective material used must not be less than 35 mm. Class 3 vests offers the highest level of visibility for workers. Class 3 vests are designed for road personnel with high-task loads in a wide variety of weather conditions where traffic exceeds 50 mph. Class 3 vests have the most retro-reflective material, and must have sleeves with retro-reflective materials between the shoulders and elbows.. The width of retro-reflective material must not be less than 50mm. Now, let’s talk fabric. Traffic safety vests are available in mesh fabric for cool, breathable comfort, especially when worn over clothing. Vests are also available in durable synthetic, nylon and polyester materials.
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  • 02:04 Fasteners? We have a number of options here. Choose from the ease, speed and convenience of Velcro to the strength an reliability of zippers. Pockets are typically found at the chest or waist. As for sizes. Our vests cover a wide range from medium to 5XL. Care and maintenance? Here are a few tips for taking care of your hi-vis vest so it lasts. Vests that are dirty don’t provide the same visual contrast as a new garment, though each washing gradually reduces the color intensity and reflectivity of the striping.
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  • 02:44 Some manufacturers do limit the number of washings to maintain the product’s effectiveness, and once this limit is reached the vest needs to be taken out of service. The number of washes and the washing procedure varies between manufacturers, but a garment can typically be washed between five and 25 times before its reflective properties are reduced to a non-ANSI-required level. Always wash your vest in cold water and hang to dry. Do not use a tumble dryer. If possible, try spot treating with a stain remover and allow it to soak in overnight. Some items can be dry-cleaned, some cannot. Be sure to check your garment’s label or check with the manufacturer. There you have it: Traffic Safety Vest.
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  • 03:26 101. Thanks for taking the time to learn more about this. Potentially life-saving garment. Contact us if you have any questions about this or any other product. And let us know if you have any suggestions for upcoming videos. Stay safe out there!
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