High Visibility Flame Resistant (FR) Clothing FAQs

 
1Are there any standards that require me to wear high-visibility clothing?

ANSI, the American National Standards Institute is a private, non-profit organization that administers and coordinates the US voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system. ANSI 107 is a voluntary industry consensus standard that specifies the requirements for PPE (personal protective equipment) that is capable of visually signaling the user’s presence. Construction, utility, police, emergency medical services, fire fighters and airport ramp workers are routinely exposed to the hazards of low visibility. This standard provides guidelines for the selection and use of high-visibility safety apparel such as shirts, rainwear, outerwear, safety vests, and headwear to improve worker visibility during the day, in low-light conditions, and at night.

ANSI 107/ISEA 107-2004 specifies the following:

  • Design
  • Requirements for Background and Combined-Performance Retroreflective Materials
  • Photometric and Physical Performance Requirements for Retroreflective Materials

ANSI 107 divides high-visibility apparel into three classes which vary depending on the work environment. Class 1 is the lowest visibility requirement, and Class 3 is the highest.

2Is ANSI 107-2010 required?

United States law requires all personnel working on a federally funded highway to wear high-visibility clothing. OSHA encourages the development of voluntary industry consensus standards and is an advocate for their use in other industries as well. Two states, Minnesota and Washington, have adopted ANSI 107 into state law.

3How do I know which class of high-visibility apparel I need?

A survey of low visibility workplace hazards should be conducted after the standard is examined by a company. Typically, the greater the risk for being struck by moving vehicles at high speeds, the higher the class.

4Are there any tests pertaining to ANSI 107-2010?

ANSI 107 pertains to FR high-visibility clothing as well. Any garment classified as FR must either be tested according to flash fire or arc flash standards. ANSI 107 makes reference to NFPA 2112 and ASTM 1506, as well as NFPA 70E.