Enhanced visibility clothing in the workplace
Reflective clothing is important, especially during the fall and winter, where the sun often sets before the official workday is over. Many people also work at night, or in areas that are near moving vehicles and equipment. For those working in dangerous environments, being visible is so important that the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requires that workers in highway, construction or high-risk zones (including areas with vehicles moving faster than 25 mph, mines and excavations) be appropriately attired in clothing that makes them highly visible.
The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) has specific standards that need to be met for the safety of all workers, but particularly by those who are working near or with moving vehicles or equipment. The American National Safety Standard (ANSI) and ISEA worked together to divide garments into Performance Classes, depending on the total clothing area’s ratio to the retroflective material featured on it. The amount of high-visibility material increases in each performance class, so a Class 3 garment would make a worker more visible than a Class 1 garment. Each class also outlines which working environment requires each grade of clothing. Those working in Class 1 activities may be working in an area that is relatively low hazard, but still need to be seen, like someone who works as a Crossing Guard. Class 2 materials work near vehicles moving up to 25 miles an hour, and Class 3 is everything with vehicles moving faster than 25mph, like highway construction.
SITEX knows the importance of staying safe and visible on the job, which is why we carry all classes of reflective and high-visibility garments. A safe crew is a happy crew, so check out our catalog to see some of our best-selling high-visibility clothing, or contact SITEX to get started discussing your safety needs.
