• ANSI/ISEA 107 provides a uniform, authoritative guide to the criteria for high-visibility and retroreflective apparel.

Employers must be aware of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) standard, ANSI/ISEA 107, American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear. The 2004 and 2010 editions of this standard are not required by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) but provide a uniform, authoritative guide for high-visibility and retroreflective apparel including:

• Design
• Performance specifications
• Proper use

Retroreflective apparel consists of vests, jackets, bib/jumpsuit coveralls, trousers and harnesses, as well as high-visibility and retroreflective headwear, including hard hats, baseball caps, wide-brimmed hats, and winter caps.

Garments that meet either edition of the standard may be worn 24 hours a day to provide users with a high level of conspicuity using combined fluorescent and retroreflective materials.

Although excellent standards for meeting the OSHA requirements, ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 and -2010 are voluntary industry consensus standards and are not mandatory. However, the ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 edition is referenced in the latest Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Plus, some state transportation agencies are requiring adherence to a specific edition of the ANSI/ISEA standard.

In general, the industry recognizes three classes of high-visibility apparel:

• Class 1
• Class 2
• Class 3

Here’s the breakdown:

• Class 1 safety apparel is often made with the least amount of reflective material and can be used by employees whose exposure to struck-by hazards is limited. For example, employees who work at large events (e.g., concerts) or groundskeepers.
• Class 2 safety apparel is made with a bit more reflective material to protect work-zone employees like flaggers. Keep in mind, flaggers and road-construction employees must wear class 2 apparel at the minimum to be protected adequately.
• Class 3 safety apparel is meant to protect employees high-risk struck-by areas such as employees who work on roads where speeds reach up to 50mph. Class 3 safety apparel must cover the employee’s arms and legs to outline the whole body.

There is a fourth class called Class E safety apparel. Often times, employers will combine a Class E apparel (tops) with Class 2 apparel (bottoms) to create a Class 3 ensemble. Employers can use this trick to help meet consensus requirements set out by ANSI.