It is imperative that high-visibility safety apparel conforms to the established standards in order to ensure adequate protection for workers. In the United States, the ANSI/ISEA 107 standard establishes guidelines for high-visibility clothing. The standard delineates classes (1, 2, and 3) and levels (R2, P2) based on the quantity of reflective and background fabric. For instance, a Class 3 safety vest is characterised by the presence of additional reflective tape and a larger background area in comparison to a Class 2 vest. This renders it particularly well-suited for environments involving high-speed operations or those characterised by complexity. Reflective shirts are typically classified as Class 2, with the presence of sufficient reflective tape, or as Class 3 when employed for optimal coverage.
ANSI standards also stipulate the colour of the fabric. The approved background colours are fluorescent yellow-green, orange, and lime. The combination of these bright colours with retroreflective silver striping ensures the garment's effectiveness in both daytime and nighttime conditions. Garments designated as ANSI Class 2 are required to contain a minimum quantity of retroreflective and background material. In order to enhance visibility, Class 3 garments are equipped with supplementary stripes, which are frequently located around the arms or legs, thereby ensuring full-body conspicuity. It is asserted that the products in question are in strict conformity with the stipulated requirements, thus ensuring the visibility of the workers. For instance, the custom-made safety vest labelled "Class 3 Level R2" ensures the wearer benefits from the maximum reflective coverage permitted by ANSI rules.
In addition to ANSI 107, certain industries adhere to ISO (international) or CSA (Canadian) standards for high visibility gear. Regardless of the prevailing standard, CustomTok's range of safety vests and reflective shirts is engineered to adhere to the requisite safety requirements. In the event of placing an order with us, it should be noted that each garment will be accompanied by an ANSI compliance tag, which will specify the garment's class and level. In-house inspections are conducted to verify that reflective tape covers the correct width (2 inches for Class 2 tape) and is placed in the required pattern. The selection of ANSI/ISEA compliant reflective shirts and custom safety vests from CustomTok is an effective strategy to ensure compliance.
Choosing the Right Class
• Class 1: Minimal hi-vis coverage (two vertical stripes) for low-speed or indoor work, such as maintenance crews.
• Class 2: More visibility (horizontal and vertical stripes) suitable for roadway or warehouse work, like delivery drivers.
• Class 3: Maximum visibility (extra stripes around arms or legs or sleeves) required for highway crews, airport personnel, or any work near fast traffic or heavy machinery.
ANSI also defines types of garments:
ANSI also defines types of garments:
- Type R (Roadway): High-visibility clothing for road work and construction (most vests and shirts).
- Type P (Public Safety): Similar hi-vis requirements for police, EMTs, and other first responders.
- Class E (Coveralls): Full-body high-visibility garments that integrate both Type R and P elements.
The majority of our reflective shirts and safety vests are ANSI Class 2 or Class 3. For instance, a Custom Safety Vest Class 3, which is equipped with five pockets, ensures optimal visibility for personnel on construction sites. In instances where personnel are engaged in operations in proximity to rapid vehicular traffic or machinery, it is imperative to opt for Class 3 protective equipment. In the context of general day-to-day tasks, Class 2 is frequently adequate. It is imperative to take into account the particular regulations that are in place in one's state or industry.
Verification and Testing
The manufacture of high-visibility apparel is a rigorous process that involves rigorous testing of the products prior to distribution. The condition of the reflective bands on the vest is examined to ensure that they are free from wrinkles, even in their application, and firmly attached. Reflective shirts are also subjected to testing under light to ensure optimal brightness. It is noteworthy that both types of garments are machine-washable; however, it is imperative to emphasise that, following repeated washing, they must still meet ANSI reflectivity requirements. It is evident that each CustomTok vest and shirt is accompanied by an ANSI compliance tag. The organisation exclusively supplies equipment that conforms to, or surpasses, the requisite standards for its designated category. For instance, the vests in our range are labelled with the ANSI Class 3, Level 2 certification, denoting the highest visibility level.
Each CustomTok safety vest and reflective shirt is accompanied by an ANSI compliance tag. Should guidance be required in determining the most appropriate class, our experts are available to assess the hazards present at the worksite and select the most suitable combination of equipment, including reflective shirts and custom safety vests. In order to ensure that the necessary standards of compliance are met, and to mitigate any potential risks, it is essential to utilise equipment that has been designed and manufactured to the highest professional standards, and which is adapted to the specific requirements of the team. Peruse our range of compliance-certified equipment: The company offers a range of safety apparel, including ANSI Class 2 safety vests, ANSI Class 3 reflective shirts, and a comprehensive selection of high-visibility garments, to meet the specific requirements of various workplace environments.
