The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a non-profit organization devoted to ensuring the health and safety of consumers and the protection of our environment. Working with the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), ANSI developed the accepted standard outlining performance requirements for the visibility of safety apparel - ANSI/ISEA107-2010.

This standard is updated every five years and specifies how many fluorescent background materials must be used, minimum areas for retro-reflective surfaces, minimum washing cycles, and outlines test methods for materials.

1.) What is the difference between Class 1, 2, 3 & E High-Visibility Garments?

ANSI Class 1 is for moderate and non-severe environments. These workers are on job sites with vehicular traffic that does not exceed 25 mph with non-complex backgrounds. This apparel provides the minimum amount of necessary reflective striping to differentiate workers from their work environment.

• Delivery vehicle drivers
• Parking service attendants
• Shopping cart retrievers
• Sidewalk or roadside maintenance workers
• Workers in warehouses with equipment traffic

ANSI Class 2 is for moderately severe environments. These workers are on job sites with traffic that travels over 25 mph with a complex background. Class 2-certified styles offer exceptional visibility by adding reflective striping on the torso.

• Accident site investigators in less-hazardous situations
• Airport baggage handlers/ground crew
• Emergency respondents in less-hazardous situations
• Forestry workers
• High-volume parking or toll-gate personnel
• Law enforcement personnel
• Parking and toll gate personnel
• Railway workers in less-hazardous environments
• Roadway construction workers in less-hazardous locations
• School crossing guards
• Survey crews near slower-speed traffic
• Utility workers in less-hazardous locations

ANSI Class 3 is for the most severe environments. These workers need the highest level of visibility. Class 3-certified styles offer fluorescent and retro-reflective material to the apparel's arms and or legs.

• Accident site investigators
• Emergency respondents
• Railway workers
• Roadway construction personnel and vehicle operators
• Survey crews and flagging crews
• Utility workers

ANSI Class E - This standard applies to pants or shorts that are used to create a high-visibility ensemble (a complete outfit). When Class E pants are worn with a Class 2 or Class 3 upper-body garment, the overall classification is Class 3.

2.) Bright Lime or Bright Orange? Which one and why?

You always want to be as visible as possible when you're on the job. Do you choose bright lime apparel or bright orange? You may also want to check with your team leader for any company requirements.

Bright Lime will best differentiate workers from orange, white, or other colored work vehicles, signs, construction barrels, and other outdoor objects.

Bright Orange is recommended for those working outdoors in order to set objects apart from their surroundings, particularly in complementary contrast to the sky and forested areas, and construction sites.

4.) What is 3M Scotchlite?

3M Scotchlite uses a technology known as retro-reflection, which helps the eye perceive light during nighttime and low-light conditions. Retro-reflection occurs when light rays are returned directly to the original light source, such as car headlights. Since little light is scattered when the light returns, retro-reflective materials appear brightest to motorists and vehicle operators.

5.) What is NFPA 70E?

Published by the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 70E is the Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. This standard requires employees to wear flame-resistant clothing wherever there is possible exposure to electric arc flash. NPFA 70 E is widely accepted throughout the general manufacturing and electrical industries. NFPA 70E is a voluntary consensus standard, not a law. However, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (also known as OSHA) recognizes NFPA 70E as a generally accepted industry practice and has referenced it in citations.

6.) What are the PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) Levels?

PPE CATEGORY 1 - Arc-rated clothing with ATPV minimum of 4 cal/cm2, but less than 8 cal/cm2. Common FR clothing with this level of protection includes: FR long-sleeve shirts, FR pants, FR coveralls, and a single base layer of FR protection.

PPE CATEGORY 2 - Arc-rated clothing with ATPV minimum of 8 cal/cm2, but less than 25 cal/cm2. Common FR clothing with this level of protection includes: FR undergarments (undershirt, underwear), FR long-sleeve shirts, FR coveralls, and two or more layers of FR protection garments.

PPE CATEGORY 3 - Arc-rated clothing with ATPV minimum of 25cal/cm2, but less than 40 cal/cm2. Common FR clothing with this level of category includes: FR undergarments (undershirt, underwear), FR long-sleeve shirts, FR coveralls, and two or more layers of FR protection garments.

PPE CATEGORY 4 - Arc-rated clothing with ATPV minimum of 40 cal/cm2. Common FR clothing with this level of category includes: FR undergarments (undershirt, underwear), FR long-sleeve shirts, FR jackets/coats, FR pants, FR coveralls, FR multi-layer flash suit, and 3-4 or more layers of FR protection garments.

7.) What is NFPA® 2112 Compliant?

The National Fire Protection Association developed this certification (now titled Standard on Flame-Resistant Clothing for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Short-Duration Thermal Exposures from Fire) to protect workers against flash fire exposure and injury. NFPA® 2112 lays out the minimum performance requirements and test methods that FR garments must meet to enter the market.

8.) What is NESC?

The Nation Electrical Safety Code (NESC) is the standard for the safety of employees in the electric utility industry. Although not a law, NESC is a voluntary consensus standard and the standard OSHA cites when enforcing electrical safety in the utility industry.

9.) What is ATPV?

The Arc Thermal Performance Value (ATPV) is a rating assigned to flame-resistant clothing indicating the level of protection provided. Higher weight (thicker or denser) fabrics typically have higher ATPVs and provide increased protection (as does the layering of FR clothing).