When your team is in the field, your workers need to wear safety vests, or high-visibility vests. These vests are made with highly reflective materials that keep individual workers visible, especially at night. All safety vests are rated and approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Safety vests are classified as Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3, based on the amount of both reflective material and high contrast (orange or lime color) fabric making up the vest. The degree of reflectivity in the tape and intensity of the background fabric colors are specified in the ANSI standard. The more hazardous your workplace, the more visible your team needs to be.
Learn about the differences between the classes of hi-vis vests and when to use each.
Class 1 Safety Vests
Class 1 vests are essential for professionals operating in environments where the separation from traffic is substantial, and vehicle speeds do not surpass 25 mph. These vests meet the minimum requirements for high-visibility clothing in professional settings, underscoring the necessity of being visible in low-risk situations. Ideal for parking lot attendants, delivery personnel, and roadside assistance workers, these vests ensure safety by incorporating at least 155 square inches of reflective tape for optimal visibility (Daigler, 2002).
Class 2 Safety Vests
Designed for more challenging conditions, Class 2 safety vests cater to environments with inclement weather, proximity to roadways, and traffic exceeding 25 mph. Providing a moderate visibility level, these vests are tailored for individuals whose tasks may divert their attention from oncoming traffic. With a requirement for at least 201 square inches of reflective tape, these vests are a critical safety measure for airport personnel, toll booth operators, and forest workers, enhancing their focus and safety without compromising visibility (Daigler, 2002).
Class 3 Safety Vests
Class 3 safety vests offer the utmost level of visibility for professionals engaged near fast-moving traffic or in areas with poor visibility conditions. These garments are essential for emergency responders, roadway construction teams, utility workers, and surveyors, providing comprehensive protection and visibility. With a minimum of 310 square inches of reflective tape, these vests are designed to outline the full silhouette of the wearer, ensuring they are unmistakably visible and safe in any work condition (Daigler, 2002).
Finding Quality Safety Vests for Your Workers
Reflective safety vests should be just as comfortable as they are safe. If you’re looking for reflective safety vests for members of your team, visit PK Safety for a wide selection of high-visibility clothing, including Class 1, 2 and 3 vests.
The PIP ANSI Type R Class 3 Two-Tone Surveyor Vest is made of a mesh and a solid polyester fabric which adds breathability and less prone to dirt and damage. The contrasting colored tape around silver reflective provides optimal visibility.
The PIP ANSI R3 Two-Tone Mesh Surveyor Vest is made of a mesh adds a great deal of breathability especially in warmer climates.
The PIP ANSI Class 2 Two-Tone Six Pocket Surveyor's Vest comes with a back-mesh panel that keeps you cool on the job, while the front panel comes with pockets for radios, phones, and other supplies. It also comes with reinforced stitching for more durability, and two-tone reflective tape for more visibility in the field.
The PIP Type R Class 2 Two Pocket Zipper Mesh Vest 302-0702Z-LY is made of polyester mesh for more breathability. You and your team can stay cool on the job without putting yourselves at risk. It’s perfect for anyone that needs a Class 2 reflective safety vest.
The PIP Yellow Mesh D-Ring Access Hi-Vis Vest 302-0600D-LY is perfect for those working in class 2 work zones or those facing potential fall hazards. It’s made with breathable fabric and comes with a built-in access point for attaching a safety harness. Available in Lime Yellow and Orange.
Stay safe on the job with these quality hi-vis safety vests. For more information on the differences between Class 1, 2 and 3 vests, contact the safety professionals at PK Safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different classes of safety vests?
Per ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 (the American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel), safety vests are classified into three Performance Classes based on minimum required background material and retroreflective area. Class 1 vests are for off-road use with low-speed traffic (under 25 mph). Class 2 vests are the minimum for workers on or near public roadways with traffic up to 50 mph — MUTCD Section 6C.05 (which incorporates 23 CFR Part 634) mandates Class 2 or 3 for federal-aid highway workers. Class 3 vests offer the highest visibility — per MUTCD guidance, Class 3 is specified for high-speed traffic (over 50 mph), poor visibility conditions, or complex visual backgrounds. Class E is a supplemental designation for hi-vis pants, hats, or bibs worn with Class 2 or 3 vests.
What is the difference between Type R and Type P safety vests?
Beyond Class, ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 also assigns each vest a Type based on work environment. Type R (Roadway) is for occupational workers exposed to roadway traffic — the MUTCD-compliant designation for federal highway work zones. Type P (Public Safety) is for police, fire, EMS, and incident responders — differs from Type R mainly in background material area requirements and allows accent colors like blue or red for role identification. Type O (Off-Road) is for non-roadway environments like warehouses and yards; Type O vests can only be Class 1. Most safety vests sold in the US market are Type R, Class 2 or 3.
Which safety vest is required for roadway work?
MUTCD Section 6C.05 (which incorporates 23 CFR Part 634, the FHWA Worker Visibility Rule) requires all workers within the right-of-way of federal-aid highways who are exposed to vehicular traffic or construction equipment to wear high-visibility safety apparel meeting ANSI/ISEA 107 Performance Class 2 or Class 3. Type R garments are the MUTCD-compliant designation for this work. Employers select the appropriate class based on hazards including traffic speed, background complexity, and lighting conditions — MUTCD guidance points to Class 3 when traffic exceeds 50 mph, when work occurs in low light or poor weather, or when the visual background is complex.
When is a Class 3 safety vest required instead of Class 2?
ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 and MUTCD guidance both point to Class 3 when traffic speeds exceed 50 mph, when work occurs in poor visibility conditions (low light, weather, night operations), or when the visual background is complex or distracting. Class 3 vests provide additional retroreflective material with a minimum of 310 square inches of background material (versus Class 2's 201 square inch minimum), and typically include sleeves that outline the worker's arms for improved motion visibility. For construction on interstate highways, emergency response, or utility work near high-voltage lines, Class 3 is the industry-standard specification. For most daytime roadway work under 50 mph in normal visibility, Class 2 meets MUTCD requirements and remains the industry-standard specification.
Are mesh or vented safety vests ANSI-compliant?
Yes. Mesh and vented safety vests can meet ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 Class 2 or Class 3 requirements as long as they provide the minimum required background material area (201 square inches for Class 2, 310 square inches for Class 3) and retroreflective tape coverage. Mesh construction is commonly used to improve breathability in hot climates without sacrificing visibility performance. Verify the ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 label inside the vest for the certified Type and Class — both must be permanently marked on any compliant garment.
What is Class E in ANSI/ISEA 107?
Class E is a supplemental designation under ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 for high-visibility pants, bib overalls, hats, or headwear worn in combination with a Class 2 or Class 3 vest. A Class E garment cannot meet Class 2 or Class 3 requirements on its own; it adds visibility to an ensemble. When Class E pants are worn with a Class 2 vest, ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 classifies the overall ensemble as Class 3. Class E is common for utility workers, roadway crews, and emergency responders who need full-body visibility beyond a vest alone.
Sources: Daigler, D. (2002). KEEPING WORK CREWS VISIBLE FOR SAFETY. Public works, 133.
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