PPB September 2016

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The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) published standard 107 for
high-visibility clothing in 1999, laying out three class levels of garment visibility
and the minimum quantity of fluorescent and retroreflective material to be worn
in each class. The standards were created to protect workers from successively
higher levels of risk from motor vehicles and heavy equipment. The International
Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) later revised the standard. Published on
February 1, 2016, ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 combined two high-visibility apparel
standards into one. Here’s what you need to know to talk more knowledgeably with
your clients:
High visibility apparel is now broken down into three Types and five
Performance Classes.
Can You SeeMe Now?
CLASS 1
Type O
There is a relatively low
hazard from slow-moving
vehicles, such as in a
parking lot. Garments must
have the minimum amount
of high-visibility material.
CLASS 2
Type R or P
The worker is placed in
proximity to vehicles moving
up to 25 miles per hour,
such as railway workers
or school crossing guards.
The standard requires
reflective bands of greater
width and 755 square
inches of conspicuously
colored fabric.
CLASS 3
Type R or P
When work takes place
near traffic moving
faster than 25 miles
per hour, such as
highway construction.
The standard requires
at least 1240 square
inches of fluorescent
fabric and two-inch
retroreflector bands.
SUPPLEMENTAL
CLASS E
High visibility garments
such as pants, bib overalls,
shorts and gaiters, which,
in conjunction with a Class
2 or Class 3 item, qualify
as a Class 3 ensemble.
OPTIONAL HIGH
VISIBILITY
ACCESSORIES
Headwear, gloves and
arm or leg bands that are
not intended to be used
alone as high-visibility
protective clothing and
don’t contribute to
minimum area calculations
of Performance
Classes 1, 2 or 3.
PERFORMANCE CLASSES
TYPES
Type O
Off-road—no exposure
to roadway traffic
Type R
Roadway—exposure
to traffic
Type P
Public safety—emergency/law enforcement
responders with exposure to traffic
Sources: ANSI/ISEA 107-2015,
Grainger, Inc., AW Direct
The Two-Tone 6 Pocket Surveyors Vest, ANSI/
ISEA 107 Class 2 vest is intended for workers
performing tasks that divert their attention from
approaching traffic that is traveling more than
25 mph. Made from durable polyester, the vest
features a solid front and breathable mesh back, as
well as two-inch two-tone tape for optimum visibility
and multiple pockets. It’s available in sizes M-5X in
yellow and orange. A standard one-color logo or a
TruColor ™ multicolor imprint are priced the same.
Starline USA, Inc. UPIC: STAR0009
| SEPTEMBER 2016 | 19
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