High-visibility safety apparel are personal protective clothing that increase worker visibility.  The reflective properties of the garment utilizes fluorescent colors and reflective material that can help increase worker visibility during day- and night-time work zone construction and maintenance activities.

The Federal Highway Adminstration's (FHWA) Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) defines the required high-visibility clothing for use in construction and maintenance of all public streets, highways, bikeways, and private roads open to public traffic.  On May 20, 2010, FHWA issued an official interpretation that garments must be labeled as meeting ANSI/ISEA 107-2010 to be in compliance with sections of the 2009 MUTCD covering workers, flaggers and adult crossing guards.  ANSI/ISEA 107-2010 is widely accepted as the best way to protect workers against hazards of low visibility, and to enhance the visibility of workers who are exposed to struck-by injuries.

ANSI 107-2010 identifies three classes of high visibility safety apparel.  Selection of the appropriate class depends on worker activity, visual complexity of the work area, and traffic speed and volume.  The fabric must be fluorescent yellow-green, fluorescent orange-red, or fluorescent red.

(Photo courtesy of ELCOSH)

Class I  are designed for work conditions where traffic does not exceed 25 mph and where there is ample separation from the traffic.  This class is used for workers in traffic settings where their attention will not be diverted from approaching vehicles.

Class II contain more reflective materials and are designed for conditions where greater visibility is needed due to inclement weather, presence of complex backgrounds, and when work activities are closer to moving traffic.  This class is used for workers in traffic settings where their attention will likely be diverted from approaching vehicles.  It is intended for work sites where vehicle speeds range from 25-50 mph.

Class III has the greatest amount of reflective material and are used in zones with traffic speeds greater than 50 mph.  These are typically full-body suits that provide the highest level of conspicuity and can be seen at a minimum of 1,280 feet.

There is limited evidence on the effects of productivity while wearing high visibility safety apparel.

Jean Christophe Le, MPH. - CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training.