Understanding the ANSI requirements for Safety Vests & Garments

Understanding the ANSI requirements for Safety Vests & Garments:  By Mike Glover, Hiller Systems

Hillershop.com - Your premier equipment supplier for all of your fire protection and safety equipment needs, presents a brief explanation on the basics of: ANSI Requirements for Safety Vests and Garments.

If you are looking for high visibility, reflective clothing in numerous sizes and styles, then hillershop.com has what you need. All of our safety apparel meets or exceeds the ANSI/ISEA 207-2006 requirements. Safety vest standards are clearly labeled on each item that we sell. Designs include mesh, insulated, and fire retardant styles. Each item is designed for comfort and maximum visibility. Safety vest standards and requirements are not the same for each city or state, so be sure to check your local city and/or state requirements to determine which class of safety apparel you will be needing.


The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved the American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel (ANSI/ISEA 207-2006). This standard provides consistent, authoritative guidelines for the selection and use of high-visibility apparel in the United States.

ANSI/ISEA 207-2006 is a voluntary standard that offers performance specifications for reflective materials, including minimum amounts, placement, background material, test methods and care labeling. In simplest terms, the ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 standard provides for a high degree of reflective material incorporated into garments, which improves visibility and safety.

ANSI/ISEA 207-2006 specifies three classes of garments based on work environment:

Class 1 Garments are intended for use in activities that permit the wearer's full and undivided attention to approaching traffic. There should be ample separation of the worker from traffic, which should be traveling no faster than 25 miles per hour.  Class 1 Garments are required to have a minimum of reflective material and background which are as follows:

VISIBLE BACKGROUND 217 SQ INCHES
VISIBLE REFLECTIVE 155 SQ INCHES

Examples:

• Occupations requiring full and undivided attention to approaching traffic
• Non-complex work backgrounds
• Working separated from traffic
• Parking lot attendants, Roadside or sidewalk maintenance workers

Class 2 Garments are intended for use in activities where greater visibility is necessary during inclement weather conditions or in work environments with risks that exceed those of Class 1. Garments in this class also cover workers who perform tasks that divert attention from approaching traffic, or that put them in close proximity to passing vehicles traveling at 25 miles per hour or higher.  Class 2 Garments are required to have a minimum of reflective material and background which are as follows:

VISIBLE BACKGROUND 755 SQ INCHES
VISIBLE REFLECTIVE 201 SQ INCHES

Examples:

• Inclement weather requiring higher visibility
• Complex work background
• Diversions of vehicular traffic attention
• Forestry, ship cargo, roadway construction, airport baggage/ground crew, emergency response/law enforcement

Class 3 Garments provide the highest level of visibility, and are intended for workers who face serious hazards and often have high tasks loads that require attention away from their work. Garments for these workers who provide enhanced visibility to more of the body, such as the arms and legs.  Class 3 Garments are required to have a minimum of reflective material and background which are as follows:


VISIBLE BACKGROUND 1240 SQ INCHES
VISIBLE REFLECTIVE 310 SQ INCHES

Examples:

• Workers are at high risk and limited sight distances
• Must be identifiable as a person
• Exposure to extreme weather conditions
• Emergency response, Utility workers, roadway personnel, survey crews

At hillershop.com we offer a full line of ANSI Class I, II and III Safety Vests and apparel. Our most popular items are shown on the hillershop.com website, however, if you don't see what you are looking for, be sure to contact our on-line sales team who can help you find exactly what you are looking for! Exceptional performance, unparalleled value and unbeatable pricing means you get more for your money at hillershop.com.