If safety is the best policy as we have been told since we were children, this makes being seen equally important. In some circles, this might be referred to as safety garments but the main objective is to maintain the optimum visibility factor. Therefore, in the United Kingdom, this item of clothing would be referred to as the high visibility jacket but then there must be the classifying of just what degree of reflect-ability is needed. Generally this garment would be placed in either class II or III which indicates that there is the need for the wearer to be seen clearly from a distance.

Once you have a clear understanding of the three classes of high visibility clothing, it is easy to thing in terms of this system. Class I would only require a minimal degree of reflective material to be utilized in this work environment. This might entail nothing more than a belt, work harness or over trousers with 0.14 square meter of fluorescent material and and no less than 0.10 square meter of reflective material. This would qualify only for the least hazardous condition that a laborer might face. With the class II, the working conditions will present more challenges as for safety and this would require a higher degree of visibility. The basic requirements are 0.5 sqm/fluorescent and 0.13 sqm/reflective materials. This will be primarily used in those environments that require the wearer to be seen from the waist up and is seen in bibs, short sleeved jackets/shirts or sleeveless jackets.

Class III is that section for high visibility clothing which is utilized in the labor environments which present the most dangerous conditions. This must meet specific standards as with the other classes…0.08 square meter/fluorescent and 0.2 retro-reflective materials and this must be present on both front and back of the garment to meet the basic requirements. These are often worn by workers who are in close proximity to the train rail systems, right-of-ways or heavy traffic as with road constructions and most especially in the night-time hours.

In the United States, OSHA is the regulatory agency that supervises and classifies the high visibility clothing issues. It is of the utmost importance that these standards are met for the safety of all workers who are faced with dangers while on the job.