Written by: Emily Joswiak • July 25, 2022• Safety

The Different Classes and Types of High-Visibility Clothing

Understanding the different classes and types of high-visibility clothing helps ensure you follow strict regulations and protect every individual on site.

Did you know that not all personal protective gear is the same? Here are the different classes and types of high-visibility clothing.

Types

The American National Standards Institute, also known as the ANSI, determines the three types of high-visibility clothing. The “type” refers to the setting in which a construction/industrial worker operates, such as roads or public areas. The three types of gear are Type O, Type R, and Type P.

Type O: This type is required for anyone working off-road. The common industries that use Type O gear are gas and oil, industrial work conducted in warehouses and factories, and outdoor maintenance such as parking lot repair and cart collection.

Type R: Standing for “roadway,” any individual who works on or near public roadways must wear Type R PPE, especially roadside construction employees. Type R garments provide superior visibility at night and during the day. Other professionals who use Type R gear are crossing guards, towing operators, toll booth and parking attendants, and airport ground crew.

Type P: All public safety individuals are required to wear Type P items while on the job. This includes firefighters, certain law enforcement officers, first responders, and emergency medical responders.

Classes

Like the three types of high-visibility clothing, ANSI determines different performance classes. Performance ratings relate to how visible gear is as specific industries require brighter and more reflective PPE. The four classes are Performance Class 1-3 and Supplemental Class E.

Performance Class 1: The lowest performing level for hi-vis gear, meaning they help distinguish an individual from their environment but aren’t exceptionally bright. Off-road workers typically wear Performance Class 1 items.

Performance Class 2: Roadway construction workers require Performance Class 2 and, sometimes, Performance Class 3 garments. Performance Class 2 items contain more hi-vis material than Performance Class 1, making individuals more visible to cars and pedestrians.

Performance Class 3: In certain complicated environments and low-visibility conditions, roadway workers require Performance Class 3 gear. These garments contain additional reflective and fluorescent elements, such as hi-vis shapes or stripes on sleeves and pants.

Supplemental Class E: This class refers to additional hi-vis items to complement Performance Classes 1-3. On its own, Supplemental Class E doesn’t satisfy any ANSI regulations. Instead, these items increase an individual’s visibility even further when used in conjunction with the other performance classes.

The Importance of PPE

So why must we determine different classifications of high-visibility garments? Because all forms of personal protective equipment are essential when working in high-risk, industrial settings.

These simple items help save thousands of individuals annually from injuries and death. If you are a manager/leader in one of these industries, it’s essential that you promote PPE worker compliance while on the job. Plus, there are legal ramifications for not following the ANSI rules.

Now that you know the different classes and types of high-visibility clothing, you can better protect yourself, other workers, and the public. Double-check that your PPE meets the requirements of the ANSI before starting work.

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Last modified: July 25, 2022