Every Major Styles Of High-Visibility Workwear You Should Know
By: Diana Posted on: Mar 28, 2024There are job sites where one needs to wear a specific set of clothing to appear professional. Then there are job sites where the environment demands workers to wear clothing for safety. Especially when one’s working around moving vehicles and/or equipment in an area with poor visibility. This is where it’s crucial to wear high-visibility clothing to be safe.
Hi-Vis apparel is engineered to make the wearers conspicuously visible both in daytime and in low-light conditions so they don’t get hurt accidentally. They are made of materials that are simply bright and easier to see. There are lots of common types of hi-vis blank workwear and accessories designed to protect wearers in different construction, utility, warehouse, and roadside settings. And they come with certifications too.
The ANSI Standard
In the United States, high-visibility workwear must meet the ANSI/ISEA 107 standard. ANSI specifies the technical requirements in terms of material color and retroreflective material placement. ANSI 107-compliant apparel is divided into three classes based on the intended environment and risk factors:
- Class 1 - Low-risk environments with vehicles traveling up to 25 mph. Requires background material and retro-reflective bands on the torso, wrists, and ankles.
- Class 2 - Medium risk situations with faster-moving vehicles. Adds bands along the arms and legs plus stripes around the waist for improved visibility.
- Class 3 - For high-risk environments like road construction. Full coverage on the front and back using background and reflective materials.
Why Should You Invest In Hi-Vis Workwear
- Enhanced low-light visibility at the job site
- ANSI compliance helps workers feel safer and secure
- Reminds workers that safety comes first
- It brings a level of professionalism that also fosters unity
- Enhanced environmental awareness for coworkers
Major Styles
Safety Vests
The safety vest is the most common form of high-visibility workwear, providing visibility through a lightweight garment worn over clothes. Common varieties include:
- Mesh and polyester vests - Breathable and ventilated for warmer conditions.
- Bomber-style vests - Insulated for colder weather while maintaining visibility.
- Breakaway vests - Designed to tear away if snagged to prevent accidents.
- Reflective vests - Covered in retroreflective stripes for low-light visibility.
In ShirtsBargain, we offer ANSI-compliant high-quality safety vests from Port Authority and Cornerstone. Explore our high-visibility construction apparel collection featuring top brands at attractive bulk discounts and competitively low wholesale prices.
Hi-Vis Shirts and Jackets
Hi-vis shirts come in short and long-sleeve options and are made of lightweight, breathable materials like polyester. They often feature mesh ventilation panels and sweat-wicking tech so the wearers stay cooler. The CornerStone CS201 ANSI 107 Class-2 long-sleeve tee is a great pick for wholesale high-visibility shirts.
Insulated hi-vis jackets add an extra layer of warmth while maintaining visibility. Some have removable liner vests for modular layering.
Hi-Vis Pants and Coveralls
High-vis pants and coveralls offer full coverage. They sometimes feature side striping on the legs to enhance visibility while working around vehicles.
Hi-Vis Headwear and Accessories
Hard hats, caps, beanies, and balaclavas, like the CornerStone CS800 beanie, made with hi-vis materials ensure safety for wearers from mild physical impacts and harsh weather. Suspenders, gloves, sleeves, gaiters, and hoods are also common high-visibility accessories.
When Choosing High Visibility Apparel Wholesale
As mentioned earlier in this blog, high visibility clothing comes in three classes based on the environment and risk factors. Apart from its class, there are other factors that you will need to consider when choosing hi-vis apparel.
- Suitability for Night Work: If the workers are going to be working in low-light environments or at night, you have to make sure their workwear comes with the right kind of reflective material. As per the OSHA Standard, the retro-reflective material in the clothing you choose should be orange, yellow, white, silver, or a combination of yellow and green. The idea is to ensure visibility up to 1000 feet away. Fluorescent versions of the aforementioned colors are also acceptable.
- Color of the Garment: The chosen clothing must meet ANSI 107 standards. As per the standard, the clothing can be any of three colors including orange-red, red, and yellow-green. The color chosen must be fluorescent in this case.
- Climate: You don’t want workers to wear parkas or jackets on a hot day at work under the blazing sun. Consider the climate the workers will be working in. For cold climates, you can get hi-vis vests that can be worn over the worker’s winter outfit. The best option would be to get hi-vis heavy jackets as they offer better protection with handy features.
- Customizability: Branding high-visibility apparel for employees will take the organization to a higher level of professionalism. That is why you should also take the customizability of the garments into account. With your brand’s logo on the clothing, your workers will stand out from the rest while giving your brand more visibility and a better reputation.
Make sure to follow ANSI 107 guidelines, and ensure your workers’ safety with training, educational presentations, and strict regulations. Top it all off with the finest high-quality, hi-vis apparel from ShirtsBargain.