Federal Standards and Regulations
OSHA
In a Letter of Interpretation (Aug. 5, 2009), OSHA says: “..high visibility apparel is required under the General Duty Clause to protect employees exposed to the danger of being struck by public and construction traffic while working highway/road construction zones. Typically, workers in a highway/work zone are exposed to that hazard most of the time.”
FHWA
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) 6D.03 (2009): All workers, including emergency responders, within the right-of-way who are exposed either to traffic (vehicles using the highway for purposes of travel) or to work vehicles and construction equipment within the TTC zone shall wear high-visibility safety apparel that meets the Performance Class 2 or 3 requirements of the ANSI/ISEA 107–2004 publication entitled “American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear” or equivalent revisions.
ANSI/ISEA 107 American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel
This standard establishes performance requirements for high-visibility safety apparel, including background, retroreflective, and combined-performance materials. It specifies requirements for color, retroreflection, physical properties, minimum visible-material areas, and garment design to help make workers conspicuous during the day, at night, and in other low-light conditions. The standard organizes high-visibility apparel by Type O, Type R, and Type P based on the work environment, with Performance Classes that reflect the amount and placement of high-visibility materials required. Supplemental Class E applies to items such as pants, bib overalls, shorts, and gaiters.
ANSI A10.47 Work Zone Safety for Highway Construction
This standard notes “High Visibility Safety Apparel” are garments and headwear worn by workers to provide increased conspicuity and visibility and that meet the performance requirements contained in ANSI/ISEA 107.
Additional Resources
ISEA is represented on the following standards committees and panels:
- ANSI A10 – Safety Requirements for Construction and Demolition Operations
- ANSI Z535 – Safety Signs and Colors
- ASTM F23 – Committee on Protective Clothing
- CSA Z96 – Technical Committee on High Visibility Safety Apparel
- NFPA Technical Correlating Committee – Fire & Emergency Services Protective Clothing & Equipment
