Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear, requires a variety of
work clothing to meet certain standards of visibility according to
various work situations. Numerous federal and state authorities
h
ave mandated this standard. Most importantly, the Federal
Highway Administration requires compliance from nearly all
highway workers. Different classes specify the different require-
m
ents for particular work situations, and these classes are as fol-
lows:
CLASS 1 garments need to be conspicuous but are intend-
ed for workers where traffic does not exceed 25 mph and there
is separation from traffic.
CLASS 2 garments have higher visibility than Class 1 cloth-
ing, but not as much as Class 3. They are intended for work near
roadways where traffic exceeds 25 mph and when inclement
weather conditions limit visibility.
CLASS 3 garments offer the highest level of visibility. They
are designed for road personnel with high task loads in a wide
variety of weather conditions where traffic exceeds 50 mph.
Garments for these workers should provide enhanced visibility
to more of the body, such as the arms and legs.
There are many workwear options that comply with these
standards, and a discussion of what is available may help you in
choosing the best option that complies with visibility standards
and suits your own work needs and preferences.
Vests are
available with
a number of
f
eatures and in a
variety of styles,
such as with or
w
ithout sleeves,
mesh or solid material
construction and hook
and loop closure. To
prevent danger from
snagging or mechan-
ical entanglement,
breakaway vests are
available that are easily torn
away. Some vests have a variety of
pocket features like five outside
pockets, two lower inside pock-
ets and an outside
radio/phone pocket.
Vests come in men's,
women's and unisex
fits.
A large variety of
Volume 4 • Issue 2 | www.towprofessional.com | Tow Professional 29