Ensuring Safety: Explaining ANSI Standards

To ensure safety and visibility of workers, many federal, state and local authorities, as well as private businesses follow the American National Standards Institute 107-2015 standards, including construction, highway maintenance, law enforcement and more.

ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 is an industry consensus standard that specifies the requirements for PPE (personal protective equipment) that is capable of visually signaling the user’s presence and represents a revision to the 1999 version. Before the first publication of this standard in 1999 there was no regulation or guideline for the design, performance or materials for high-visibility apparel in the United States. The PPE covered by this standard are deemed to be effective at mitigating struck-by-hazards.

Performance Class I (Type O):
Lowest level of visibility.  Requires 215 sq. inches of background fabric (yellow/lime green or orange/red) and 155 sq. inches of reflective material.

Performance Class II (Type R or P):
The most popular style.  Requires 755 sq. inches of background fabric (yellow/lime green or orange/red) and 201 sq. inches of reflective material.

Performance Class III (Type R or P):
The highest level of visibility. Requires 1240 sq. inches of background fabric (yellow/lime green or orange/red) and 310 sq. inches of reflective material.  Sleeves are required.