High visibility clothing
Last updated:Types of High-Visibility Clothing
There are three classes of high-visibility clothing. Each has minimum areas for the background and retroflective bands:
Class 1 - The least conspicuous (waistcoats and most trousers).
Class 2 - More conspicuous than Class 1 (waistcoats, jackets, and some trousers).
Class 3 - The most conspicuous (jackets and overalls).
Use of High Visibility Clothing
- Some industries specify a background colour, for example, orange is used as a background colour for railway work as specified inn Railway Group Standard GO/RT3279.
- Some industries specify the type of clothing required. The Code of Practice to the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 as modified in 2002 requires Class 2 or 3 waistcoats or jackets for road work. Class 3 jackets with full-length sleeves should be worn on dual carriageway roads with a speed limit of 50 mph or more.
Key points to note for high visibility clothing
- Select high visibility clothing suitable for the task being undertaken. Clothing that protects a person from other hazards such as cold weather is often available with a high visibility option. Outdoor workers may need different clothing at different times of year.
- Inspect clothing for wear and tear, or loose seams before it is used.
- Ensure that only the correct cleaning materials are used on the high visibility clothing. Loss of cleanliness is a significant factor in the loss of visibility.
Where work is carried out on or adjacent to a highway open to traffic, staff shall at all times wear high visibility warning clothing complying with BS EN 471. Clothing shall be Class 2 or 3 (Class 3 on motorways or other high speed roads).
In addition on motorways or other high-speed roads full-length sleeves shall be provided for coveralls and jackets. The colour of the clothing shall normally be “fluorescent yellow” or “fluorescent orange-red”. The retro-reflective material used shall be to Class 2.
Road Safety Cycle Training
Where cycle training is carried out in good daylight conditions, the use of other high visibility waistcoats which are authorised by the Traffic and Safety Group Manager will be acceptable.