The utilisation of high-visibility safety vests in the context of occupational safety is of paramount importance in the prevention of accidents in the workplace. The employment of bright fluorescent colours, such as lime yellow, orange and green, in conjunction with wide reflective stripes, serves to render the workers immediately noticeable. In hazardous environments such as construction sites or roadworks, such "high-visibility safety apparel" has been shown to dramatically improve detection rates. ANSI's safety standard (ANSI/ISEA 107-2020) establishes that adherence to these colour and retroreflective requirements contributes to the enhancement of worker safety. As a case in point, the utilisation of brightly coloured materials accompanied by retroreflective tape has been demonstrated to be of particular utility during periods of twilight, namely at dawn and dusk, when the illumination from headlights and other light sources is known to be particularly effective in illuminating the retroreflective materials and thereby enhancing visibility. In summary, a high-quality safety vest is composed of two elements: neon fabric and tape. The combination of these elements serves to enhance the visibility of the wearer in environments characterised by complexity and high pedestrian traffic. This, in turn, serves to mitigate the risk of "struck-by" accidents in such worksites.
-
Fluorescent Fabric: The vest’s base color should be ANSI-approved lime-yellow, orange, or green. These bright fabrics attract the eye in daylight and help drivers notice personnel more quickly.
-
Reflective Tape: Vests are built with wide retroreflective stripes around the torso (and sometimes arms or back) to ensure 360° visibility. High-quality tape (such as 3M Scotchlite) maintains its brightness over many washes.
-
Breathability and Fit: Many vests use breathable mesh panels and adjustable straps to keep workers cool and comfortable. Durable polyester or mesh fabrics resist tearing and stand up to rough jobsite use.
The aforementioned features ensure that the vests will remain visible during both diurnal and nocturnal periods. ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 constitutes the United States standard for high-visibility safety apparel. The standard stipulates the precise location and quantity of reflective material and fluorescent colouring to be incorporated into such apparel. Employers can ensure that safety vests provide maximum visibility in any lighting by following ANSI guidelines.
Investment in certified reflective vests provides workers with vital additional seconds in which to be seen and avoided by vehicles or machinery. For companies ordering in bulk, CustomTok offers a range of customised equipment, as evidenced by the Reflective Shirts and Safety Apparel collections, all of which are manufactured using high-quality reflective fabric and stitching. It is imperative to acknowledge that a meticulously designed high-visibility vest constitutes a straightforward and efficacious method of safeguarding personnel in the context of occupational environments.
