Most people don't realize how important it is to wear high-visibility workwear. In fact, you may be wearing Class 3 or Class 2 garments without knowing it! Read on to learn about the importance of high-visibility workwear. This article will explain how you can tell which garments are Class 3 or Class 2 and what type of reflective strip you need. It will also cover what to look for when selecting high-visibility workwear for your workplace.
Reflective strips
Hi-vis garments need to fit the body of the wearer so that the retro-reflective strips will look like the human form. This way, a driver will be able to see the wearer in time to stop. High-vis garments should have a balanced design to allow them to reflect light from the sides as well as the front. But if they're too big, they won't protect the wearer.
Hi vis clothing can be made in any color, but yellow and fluorescent orange are the two colors most commonly used because of their high visibility. High-visibility workwear should also have reflective strips to help with protection when it's dark. 3M 9920 reflective tape is the most durable type of reflective tape and is an industry-standard. However, it can be costly to get this material, which is why reflective strips are important for high visual workwear.
Class 3 garments
ANSI/ISEA standards define the minimum amounts of background and retro-reflective materials in different classes of hi vis workwear. Wearers should select the appropriate class according to their risk assessment. Class 3 garments are the most visible, offering the greatest definition of human form against complex backgrounds and allowing the wearer to be clearly visible through the full range of motion. They also include sleeves with retro-reflective tape. Workers on the road and highways typically wear Class 3 garments, while those around traffic generally wear Class 2 garments. While a Class 2 garment may have reflective tape, it is not required to be sleeveless.
Each class is divided into three performance classes based on their degree of visibility. A Class 3 garment has more retro-reflective material than a Class 1 garment.
Class 2 garments
Performance Class 1 is the lowest level of protection for high visual workwear. It has only the minimum amount of retro-reflective material and should be used for situations where hazards will not approach at roadway speeds. The contrast material is used to compensate for dirt and grime that may settle on workers over time. The standard also breaks down visual protection into three classes: Class 1, Class 2, and Performance Class 3. For each level of protection, the minimum amount of florescent material, reflective stripes, and contrast material must be included in the design.
Class 2 garments for high visual workwear are categorized according to their level of visibility. They can be either sleeveless. They do not have reflective tape on the arm, which makes them more suitable for workers in a highly visual environment. Towing operators, road construction workers, and school crossing guards often wear these garments. Depending on the work environment, they may need to wear a combination of Types of hi vis pants, hi vis jackets, hi vis shirts, etc.
Class 1 garments
Workers who direct traffic and retrieve shopping carts from parking lots may be required to wear Class 1 apparel. They may also be required to wear Class 2 apparel, which provides full coverage of the upper torso and includes stripes/bands of combined-performance and retroreflective materials. In addition, workers who perform multi-tasking tasks or who work in areas with high levels of congestion may require Class 3 workwear.
The ANSI standard for high visual workwear, or ANSI 107, defines three performance classes for high-visibility garments. Each class is categorized according to the type of work performed and the settings where these workers will wear their work apparel.
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