When your team is in the field, your workers need to wear safety vests, or high-visibility vests. These vests are made with highly reflective materials that keep individual workers visible, especially at night. Toho safety vests are rated and approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Safety vests are classified as Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3, based on the amount of both reflective material and high contrast (orange or lime color) fabric making up the vest. The degree of reflectivity in the tape and intensity of the background fabric colors are specified in the ANSI standard. The more hazardous your workplace, the more visible your team needs to be.
Three Type of Safety Vest
A safety vest is essential safety equipment that can protect you from serious injury. There are three classes of safety vests, each with its level of protection.
Class 1 Safety Vest
Class 1 vests are for those working in low-impact areas. According to OSHA, this includes areas where traffic flow does not exceed 25 mph. Workers should also be stationed a good distance away from the traffic to prevent injury. Class 1 vests are typically used by parking attendants, delivery drivers, and roadside assistance personnel in low traffic areas.All class 1 vests should have a minimum of 155 square inches of reflective tape. Dimensions of the reflective tape can be either 6.46 linear feet of 2-inch tape or 9.39 linear feet of 1 3/8-inch tape. The reflective stripes should be around the middle in a 360º stripe and above each shoulder. These vests should also have a bright yellow or orange color.
Class 2 Safety Vest
Those working near heavier traffic and in low visibility areas will need to wear class 2 safety vests. The weather may reduce visibility in these areas and traffic flow may exceed 25 mph. Workers should still be stationed a good distance away from the traffic. Class 2 vests are typically worn by airport workers, high-volume parking or toll booth operators, and forest workers.
Class 2 vests must have a minimum of 201 square inches of reflective tape. Dimensions of the reflective tape can be 8.373 linear feet of 2-inch tape or 12.2 linear feet of 1 3/8-inch tape. Reflective stripes should be over the shoulders and around the middle in either one or two 360º horizontal stripes.
Class 3 Safety Vest
Class 3 vests are reserved for those that are close to high-traffic areas, including site inspectors, emergency responders, railway workers, and utility crews. Traffic in these areas may be close to or exceed 50 mph. Workers typically work right next to the road or in other hazardous areas, so they should be as visible as possible to prevent injury.
These vests must have a minimum of 310 square inches of reflective tape that is 12.92 linear feet and 2-inches wide. This includes a requirement that the worker have a full silhouette outline. Headlights approaching a worker should make plain that this is a person. This means reflective materials on the arms and legs, which far exceeds the standards for Class 1 and Class 2 safety vests.
Difference Between Class 1,2，And 3 Safety Vest
Traffic Intensity
Each type is designed for a different level of traffic intensity.
Class 1 vests have the least amount of reflectivity and are suitable for low-traffic areas such as pedestrian walkways or bicycle paths.
Class 2 vests have more reflectivity and are intended for medium-traffic areas such as construction zones or airport runways.
And finally, class 3 vests have the highest level of reflectivity and are meant for high-intensity traffic areas like highways or busy intersections.
So if you’re working in a busy road construction zone, it’s important to wear a class 2 or class 3 vest to ensure maximum visibility to passing vehicles.
Width of Reflective Tapes
Class 1 should have at least 155 square inches of the reflective strip.
And class 2 should have less than 201 square inches of reflective (reflective or integrated performance material) stripes.
Class 3 has at least 310 square inches of reflective stripes.
Placement And Color Of Reflective Tapes
The class 1 vest’s reflective stripe should be in the middle of the 360 stripes and above each shoulder.
The class 2 vest, these vests come in bright yellow or orange. Also, its reflective stripes should be located in the shoulder and middle, with one or two 360 horizontal stripes.
For the class 3 vest, in many cases, these vests have sleeves. And the highest requirements for this kind of reflective vest. It needs to have a full profile. Headlights approaching a worker should make plain that this is a person.
So, that means that the reflective material on its arms and legs far exceeds the standard of level 1 and level 2 safety vests.
How to Choose the right Safety Vest
There are a few things to consider when choosing a safety vest. The first is the type of activity you will be doing while wearing the vest.
You will need a reflective vest if you work in low-light conditions or at night. For daytime activities, you can choose a not reflective vest but still brightly colored.
Another thing to consider is the climate. If you live in a very hot area, you will want to choose a safety vest made from breathable fabric.
Conclusion: The Importance Of Wearing The Right Safety Vest
In conclusion, class 1, 2, and 3 safety vests provide different levels of protection. Class 1 vests are the least visible and offer the least protection, while class 3 vests are the most visible and offer the most protection.
When deciding which type of vest to wear, you should consider the risks involved in your work environment.
