When it comes to working in low light conditions, high visibility clothing can make all the difference. High-visibility clothing is designed to increase your visibility and reduce the risk of accidents. It is mandatory in many industries, including construction, highways, and railroads. EN ISO 20471 is a standard developed by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) that specifies the requirements for high-visibility clothing.
EN ISO 20471 sets out the minimum requirements for high-visibility clothing to ensure the wearer is visible to others in low light situations. It applies to all high-visibility clothing, including vests, jackets, and trousers. The standard specifies the minimum area of visible material that must be present on a garment, as well as the minimum level of brightness, colour, and reflection.
This standard categorises hi-vis garments into three classes, and all garments should be labelled with the EN ISO 20471 icon and accompanied by the appropriate class number. You can see an example of how this would look below:
One of the primary aims of EN ISO 20471 is to ensure that high-visibility clothing is effective in a range of lighting conditions, not just low-light situations. The standard sets out three classes of high-visibility clothing, with each class corresponding to different levels of visibility.
| clsass1 | class2 | class3 | |
| Reflective Tape | 0.10 sqm | 0.13 sqm | 0.20 sqm |
| Fluorescent Material | 0.14 sqm | 0.5 sqm | 0.80 sqm |
Class 1 garments are designed for low-risk environments and offer the minimum level of visibility required by EN ISO 20471. These garments feature a small area of visible material and are usually worn by workers in indoor environments.
Class 2 garments are designed for medium-risk environments and offer a higher level of visibility than Class 1 garments. These garments have a larger area of visible material and are typically worn by workers in outdoor environments.
Class 3 garments are designed for high-risk environments and offer the highest level of visibility. These garments have the largest area of visible material and are often worn by workers in hazardous outdoor environments, such as highways and construction sites.
EN ISO 20471 also sets out requirements for retroreflective material, which is typically used on high-visibility clothing to reflect light back to its source. This material is essential for ensuring that the wearer is visible from a distance and in low-light conditions.
In summary, EN ISO 20471 is a standard that specifies the minimum requirements for high-visibility clothing. It ensures that high-visibility clothing is effective in a range of lighting conditions and helps to reduce the risk of accidents in low-light environments. When choosing high-visibility clothing, it is essential to consider the level of visibility required for your environment and the relevant industry standards.
