High-visibility Safety Apparel

Another level of protection for workers in roadway work zones is high-visibility safety apparel. All workers present in a roadway construction work zone, day or night, whether on foot or in a vehicle, must wear high-visibility safety apparel. This apparel must meet the Performance Class 2 or 3 requirements of the ANSI/SAIA 107-2004 publication titled "American National Standard for High-visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear" and labeled as meeting ANSI Class 2 or 3 risk exposures. Vests, shirts, pants, and jackets meeting these requirements will be made of bright, fluorescent fabric and have retroreflective tape. The safety apparel should include retroreflective tape on areas such as the arms, torso, and waist, so that everyone can instantly recognize that the wearer is a person, and not a traffic control device such as a drum or a sign.

Keep the following considerations in mind about high-visibility safety apparel:

• Workers must never wear dirty, torn, or faded high-visibility garments in roadway work zones. These conditions will reduce the visibility provided by the garment.
• Employers and workers should always select the correct size for each individual's high-visibility apparel. Garments that are too large or too small are not acceptable and may limit visibility or be unsafe in normal working conditions.
• Workers should keep the zippers on vests and jackets closed at all times to help ensure visibility all the way around the worker's body.

To learn more about Roadway Work Zones visit our Worker Safety in Roadway Work Zones Online Training web page.