| It doesn't often make the news, but each year | | | | ample separation between the pedestrian worker |
| scores of men and women are injured or killed | | | | and vehicle traffic; permit optimum visibility in |
| while working on or near roadways. | | | | backgrounds that are not complex, and where; |
| Construction workers, law enforcement personnel | | | | vehicle and moving equipment speeds do not |
| and first responders such as fire fighters and EMS | | | | exceed 25 mph. |
| workers are all at risk of blending into their | | | | Examples of workers who could use a Class 1 |
| backgrounds and not being seen by motorists. | | | | safety vest may include: workers retrieving |
| Wearing a reflective safety vest can literally save | | | | shopping carts from parking areas; workers |
| your life. | | | | directing vehicle operators to parking or service |
| In an effort to reduce the number of accidents, | | | | locations; workers exposed to warehouse |
| the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) | | | | equipment traffic. |
| has established standards, ANSI/ISEA 107-2004, | | | | CLASS 2 A reflective vest in this category is for |
| for high visibility safety vests and other high | | | | use where: greater visibility is desired during bad |
| visibility clothing. To assure that a safety vest, | | | | weather; there are complicated backgrounds; |
| jacket, etc. is visible both in the bright sun as well | | | | workers are performing tasks that draw their |
| as at night, the standard sets the amount of | | | | attention away from approaching vehicle traffic; |
| reflective material the garment must have. A high | | | | vehicle or moving equipment speeds exceed 25 |
| visibility vest is intended to make the wearer | | | | mph; work activities take place closer to vehicle |
| more visible, whether worn during the day or at | | | | traffic. |
| night. Safety vests complying with these | | | | Examples of workers who could use a Class 2 |
| standards have quickly become accepted | | | | reflective vest may include: roadway construction |
| throughout industry as an effective way to | | | | workers; utility workers; survey crews; school |
| protect workers by increasing their visibility. | | | | crossing guards; railway workers; forestry |
| Workers who are within the right-of-way of a | | | | workers; parking or toll gate workers; airport |
| Federal-aid highway who are exposed to either | | | | baggage & ground crew. |
| traffic, or to construction equipment within the | | | | CLASS 3 Class 3 reflective vests are for use |
| work area are required to wear reflective vests, | | | | where: workers are exposed to high vehicle |
| and possibly additional high visibility safety | | | | speeds and/or reduced sight distances; the |
| apparel. Workers who would be required to | | | | worker and vehicle operator have high task loads, |
| wear a reflective safety vest include but are not | | | | clearly placing the worker in danger; the worker |
| limited to: surveyors, equipment and truck | | | | must be visible through the full range of body |
| drivers, construction and maintenance crews, | | | | motions at a minimum of 390 meters (1,280 feet) |
| inspectors, flaggers. | | | | and must be identifiable as a person. |
| The ANSI standard has established three classes | | | | Examples of workers who could use Class 3 |
| for high visibility clothing: | | | | reflective vests include: roadway construction |
| CLASS 1 A safety vest in this category is for | | | | workers; utility workers; survey crews; flagging |
| use where occupational activities: permit full and | | | | crews. |
| undivided attention to approaching traffic; provide | | | | |