The American National Standard for High Visibility Safety Products and Headgear (ANSI/ISEA 107-2004) is the authoritative guide for the design, performance specifications, and use of high-visibility and reflective apparel. The standard establishes three Performance Classes for high-visibility safety apparel based on the wearer’s activities, and determined by the total area of background and reflective materials used, with Class 1 representing the lowest level of visibility and Class 3 the highest.

“The revision doesn’t change the basic requirements such as garment dimensions, color or retro reflective performance, with the exception of clearly prohibiting any type of sleeveless garment to be labeled Class 3 when worn alone.”

All references to classes of garments and their use in specific environments based on vehicle speeds have been removed. Rather, the standard emphasizes garment selection on the basis of color and complexity of the work environment, the task load of the worker, separation of the worker from moving equipment and vehicles, and other work environment variables.

The standard defines three garment categories (also known as conspicuity classes), which are based on worker hazards and tasks, complexity of the work environment or background, and vehicular traffic and speed.

• Class 1 garments are intended for use in activities that permit the wearer's full and undivided attention to approaching traffic. There should be separation of the worker from traffic, which should be traveling no faster than 25 miles per hour.
• Class 2 garments are intended for use in activities where greater visibility is necessary during inclement weather conditions or in work environment with risks that exceed those for Class 1. Garments in this class also cover workers who perform tasks that divert their attention from approaching traffic, or that put them in close proximity to passing vehicles traveling at 25 miles per hour or higher.
• Class 3 garments provide the highest level of visibility, and are intended for workers who face serious hazards and often have high task loads that require attention away from their work. Garments for these workers should provide enhanced visibility to more of the body, such as the arms and legs.

New!
Public Safety Standard ANSI 207-2006 Significant Differences with the ANSI 107 standard The primary distinction of the ANSI 207 standard is that the required fluorescent background material (450 in²) falls between ANSI 107 Class 1 (217 in²) and ANSI 107 Class 2 (775 in²). This difference allows for design accommodation of equipment belts. The new standard also allows for design flexibility to incorporate colored panels to enhance easy, on-scene identification of wearers, as well as other options such a shoulder break-aways.

Please note: In ANSI 207, the minimum area of required retroreflective area is 201 in², same as the ANSI 107 requirement.