High Visibility Workwear Standards Clarified

When conditions affect how workers are seen, high visibility workwear is a must. This is particularly applicable during Autumn and Winter months, when daylight is shorter and bad weather decreases visibility further.

High Vis Classes

High visibility workwear, improves a worker’s visibility using a mix of fluorescent material and reflective strips. The level of protection you require depends on several factors such as natural and artificial lighting and also the effects or adverse weather conditions such as rain, fog and snow.
There are 3 classes of hi visibility garment

Class 3:
• For high risk environments – e.g. for highway engineers or construction workers on sites with heavy moving machinery.
• Minimum background material 0.8m2
• Minimum retro-reflective material 0.2m2

Class 2:
• For Medium risk settings. May not include whole body coverage e.g. high vis vests without sleeves.
• Minimum background material 0.5m2
• Minimum retro-reflective material 0.13m2

Class 1:
• This applies to environments with minimally reduced visibility and without heavy moving machinery or vehicles on site.
• Minimum background material 0.14m2
• Minimum retro-reflective material 0.10m2

At Industrial Workwear, we stock a wide range of high visibility clothing which will certainly make you fully compliant with the specifications of EN ISO 20471. Contact one of our dedicated account managers on 01207 509 717 also visit our website at https://www.industrialworkwear.com/cat/high-visibility