What are the Standards for High-Visibility Public Safety Vests?

ANSI /ISEA 107-1999 and ANSI /ISEA 107-2004

ANSI /ISEA 107 was developed in 1999 by the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) in response to concerns that American workers who are exposed to low visibility hazards are not wearing appropriate visibility-enhancing apparel. This standard provides a uniform, authoritative guide for the design, performance specifications, and use of high-visibility and reflective apparel including vests, jackets, bib/jumpsuit coveralls, trousers and harnesses. Garments that meet this standard can be worn 24 hours a day to provide users with a high level of conspicuity through the use of combined fluorescent and retro-reflective materials (ISEA, 2004).

There are three levels of conspicuity (or visibility) in the standard. These levels are in ascending order Class I, Class II, and Class III.

Class I garments are light-weight vests that are suitable for workers not directly in vehicle traffic paths and where vehicle speeds do not exceed 25 mph. Parking lot workers, warehouse personnel, and delivery personnel are examples. Class I Specifics: solid fabric only, no mesh; ANSI approved orange or yellow background fabric; minimum 1 3/8” reflective material (OccuNomix, n.d.).

Class II garments are intended for exposure to medium traffic speeds, typically between 25 - 50 mph. This should enable the worker to be seen in reduced visibility. The worker should be able to accomplish his work without paying excessive attention to traffic. Workers who would wear this class of safety vest include railway workers, school crossing guards, and airport baggage handlers. Class II Specifics: ANSI approved orange or yellow background fabric; minimum 1 3/8” shoulder & waist reflective coverage -or- minimum 2” wide reflective material (OccuNomix, n.d.).

Class III garments meet the most stringent requirements. You need these when workers are exposed to traffic exceeding 50 mph. The worker requires all attention on their task at hand, and must be visible at 1280 feet. They should distinctly look like a person at this distance, rather than an inanimate object. Emergency Response Personnel, Utility Workers, and Road Crews need this level of protection. Class III Specifics: over shoulder and larger surface coverage required; ANSI approved heavyweight orange or yellow background fabric; minimum 2” wide reflective material waist coverage (OccuNomix, n.d.).

The ANSI /ISEA 107 standard was revised in 2004 to keep up with state-of-the-art fabrics technology and design, and to provide users with documentation that a garment meets all the requirements of the standard. The standard basically remained the same, with the exception of clearly prohibiting any kind of sleeveless garment to be labeled Class III when worn alone (ISEA, 2004).

ANSI /ISEA 207-2006

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI ) and the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) have recently published the ANSI /ISEA 207-2006 Standard for High-Visibility Public Safety Vests. The standard will only affect the Law Enforcement, Emergency Responders, Fire Officials, and DOT Personnel sectors.

This standard is specifically designed to increase the safety and visibility of emergency responders. Particularly critical during low-light conditions and inclement weather, vests that meet ANSI /ISEA 207-2006 combine fluorescent and retro-reflective materials for enhanced visibility under even the most compromised lighting conditions. The standard also includes important design options for break-away features (ANSI , 2006).

“ANSI /ISEA 207 also includes features specific to the needs of emergency responders, such as a cut-out side for police officer’s weapons or EMS belt-mounted equipment. The standard also specifies garment dimensions such that the vest can be sufficiently large enough to be worn over a firefighter’s coat. Finally, to clearly and visibly differentiate between different types of emergency personnel, ANSI /ISEA 207 also allows for color-specific markings on the vest panel or trim to distinguish between police, fire and EMS responders” (ANSI , 2006).

More Information about Public Safety Vest Standards

For testing report forms for ANSI /ISEA 107-2004. [Click Here]

For testing report forms for