Frequently Asked Questions

What/Who is ANSI?  What/Who is ISEA?  What is the difference between Class 1, 2, 3 and E apparel?  What are the requirements for a garment to be considered Class 1, 2, 3 or E apparel?  How are ANSI compliant garments tested?  What is contiguous 360 degree visibility?  What does Level 1 or 2 Taping mean?  Does ANSI/ISEA have requirements for the placement of retroreflective materials?  What about headwear?  How are the different classes determined?  What do all the labels mean on the inside of a High-Visibility garment?  Who wears ANSI compliant clothing?  What is the MUTCD?  What is the difference between ANSI/ISEA 107-1999 and ANSI/ISEA 107-2004?  What is 23 CFR Part 634 Worker Visibility?  Who is responsible for enforcing 23 CFR Part 634?  Can a vest be Class 3 compliant?  Does Carhartt High-Visibility clothing meet Canadian standards?

What/Who is ANSI? ANSI stands for the American National Standards Institute. ANSI is a private, non-profit organization that administers and coordinates U.S. voluntary standardization.  Back To Top

What/Who is ISEA? ISEA is the International Safety Equipment Association. ISEA is the trade association for U.S. suppliers of safety and personal protective equipment. ISEA is the body that develops and publishes the standard, while ANSI administers it.  Back To Top

What is the difference between Class 1, 2, 3 and E apparel? Class 1 apparel is required to provide the minimum amount of necessary material to differentiate the wearer from the work environment. Class 2 apparel provides superior visibility for wearers by the additional coverage of the torso, and is more conspicuous than Class 1. Class 3 apparel is intended to offer greater visibility to the wearer in both complex backgrounds and through a full range of body movements. Class 3 visibility is enhanced beyond Class 2 by the addition of background and retroreflective material to the arms and/or legs. Class E apparel applies to trousers and shorts and creates a high visibility ensemble. When Class E bottoms are worn with a Class 2 or 3 garment, the overall classification for the ensemble is Class 3.  Back To Top

What are the requirements for a garment to be considered Class 1, 2, 3 or E apparel? In order for a garment to meet Class 1, 2, 3 or E requirements, it must meet the minimum requirements for amount of background material and retroreflective material. Refer to the table below requirements. All high-visibility apparel must have retroreflective material.  Back To Top

How are ANSI compliant garments tested? High-visibility garments are required to be tested and certified by an independent, accredited third-party laboratory. After the garment is tested, a certificate will be provided confirming the garment's compliancy. Some of the tests performed include background color testing, colorfastness, burst/tear strength and photometric performance of retroreflective material.  Back To Top

What is contiguous 360 degree visibility? Class 1, 2 and 3 garments all must have contiguous 360 degree visibility, which means retroreflective material must encircle the torso of the garment to be considered ANSI compliant.  Back To Top

What does Level 1 or 2 Taping mean? The photometric performance level refers to the amount of reflectivity or brightness of a retroreflective material. Level 2 taping provides a greater contrast and visibility than Level 1 taping over wider viewing angles of safety apparel when seen in headlights during darkness.  Back To Top

Does ANSI/ISEA have requirements for the placement of retroreflective materials? Yes, there are several requirements for the placement of retroreflective material on the garments. Specific requirements include where retroreflective bands should be placed on full-length sleeves, legs and the torso of the garment.  Back To Top

What about headwear? ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 does include requirements for ANSI compliant headwear. Headwear is considered an important accessory and complements the overall visibility of the wearer. Headwear enhances visibility to the head of a moving worker in daylight and helps define the shape of the human form during nighttime exposure.  Back To Top

How are the different classes determined? The ISEA has based the categories on the 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.  Back To Top

What do all the labels mean on the inside of a High-Visibility garment? In addition to the common care label, ANSI requires a label designating the class of the garment, as well a pictogram, showing the performance class and retroreflective taping level of the garment.  Back To Top

Who wears ANSI compliant clothing? ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 Appendix B gives the following suggested guidelines for the appropriate apparel class: Class 1: Workers directing vehicle operators to parking/service locations Workers retrieving shopping carts from parking areas Those exposed to the hazards of warehouse equipment traffic Roadside "right-of-way" or sidewalk maintenance workers Delivery vehicle drivers Class 2: Roadway construction workers Utility workers Survey crews Railway workers Forestry Workers School Crossing Guards Parking and/or toll gate personnel Emergency response personnel Airport baggage handlers/ground crew Law enforcement personnel Accident site investigators Class 3: Roadway construction personnel Utility workers Survey crews Emergency response personnel Flagging crews  Back To Top

What is the MUTCD? The MUTCD stands for the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. It is published by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Highway Administration. All state level DOTs are required to adhere to the MUTCD. The MUTCD states that "all workers exposed to the risks of moving roadway traffic or construction equipment should wear high-visibility safety apparel meeting the requirements of ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 standard performance for Class 1, 2 or 3 risk exposure." The manual also spells out specific class requirements for flagging crews (must wear Class 2 during the day and should wear Class 3 at night).  Back To Top

What is the difference between ANSI/ISEA 107-1999 and ANSI/ISEA 107-2004? ANSI/ISEA 107-1999 was the original high visibility apparel standard and was developed by the ISEA in 1999. In 2004, the standard was revised to include high visibility headwear as a category. Another important change to the standard in 2004 was the prohibiting of any kind of sleeveless garment to be labeled as Class 3 when worn alone. Additionally, all references to classes of garments and their use in specific environments based on vehicle speeds were removed. ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 emphasizes that garment selection should be based on the 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 revised version also added additional testing procedures and removed those that added no value.  Back To Top

What is 23 CFR Part 634 Worker Visibility? This is a final rule published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). It requires that, by November 2008, all workers within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway who are exposed either to traffic (vehicles using the highway for purposes of travel) or to construction equipment with the work area shall wear high-visibility safety apparel (Class 2 or 3).  Back To Top

Who is responsible for enforcing 23 CFR Part 634? OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) will enforce the regulation under its General Duty Clause, which requires employers to take the appropriate steps to protect workers. OSHA refers to ANSI 107-2004 as a way for employers to comply with this requirement.  Back To Top

Can a vest be Class 3 compliant? No, the revision of ANSI/ISEA 107 in 2004 prohibits any sleeveless garment from being labeled Class 3 when worn alone.  Back To Top

Does Carhartt High-Visibility clothing meet Canadian standards? No, Carhartt High-Visibility clothing is not certified to meet the Canadian High-Visibility Safety Apparel standard, CSA Z96-02, at this point in time.  Back To Top