One of the first steps to being safe in the construction workplace is to be visible. ANSI/ISEA 107 is a national standard for high visibility safety apparel (HVSA) in the United States. This safety standard outlines requirements for the design, performance, and materials used in apparel designed to enhance the visibility of workers in environments where they may be exposed to hazards from moving vehicles or equipment.
The ANSI/ISEA 107 standard
ANSI/ISEA 107 is a national standard for high visibility safety apparel (HVSA) in the United States developed by ANSI and the ISEA (International Safety Equipment Association). This safety standard uses accredited laboratory testing to assess the garment’s background material and retroreflective material. In order for apparel to meet the ANSI 107 standard, it must be visible, reflective, and tested.
The ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 update
Since its first introduction in 1999, ANSI/ISEA 107 has undergone many revisions to improve the performance safety of HVSA. In 2020, the previously known ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 standard was reviewed and updated to ANSI/ISEA 107-2020.
The updated ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 standard continues to uphold the “Type” structure that was introduced in ANSI/ISEA 107-2015.This “type” structure allows garments to be separated by application, ensuring the most appropriate HVSA is selected by the wearer.
This ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 revision included several changes including:
- Removing the criteria for high-visibility accessories to emphasise the configurations and design requirements that contribute to the Type-Performance Class designation
- Introducing specific criteria for a single-use coverall since recognising garments can be easily soiled in certain work environments
- Updating the test methods used to align more closely with other material integrity tests and to recognise the current versions used to evaluate the materials
- Introducing the concept of measuring the overall nighttime luminance of a garment, giving manufacturers the opportunity to test apparel in accordance with ASTM E1501
Based on these revisions, the ANSI/INSEA 107-2020 standard primarily focuses on:
- Design
- Requirements for background and combined-performance retroreflective materials
- Photometric and physical performance requirements for retroreflective materials
- Care labelling
The ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 update
ANSI/INSEA 107-2020 specifies garment types and performance classes for HVSA to help the wearer choose apparel options according to their work environment.
The three garment types specified for HVSA are off-road (Type O), roadway and temporary traffic control (Type R), and public safety activities (Type P). These types are further broken down into classes 1, 2, or 3
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Garment types and performance classes |
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Garment type designation |
Type O (off-road) |
Type R (roadway) |
Type P (public safety) |
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Performance class |
Class 1 |
Class 2 |
Class 3 |
Class 2 |
Class 3 |
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Background material amounts |
217 in² |
775 in² |
1240 in² |
450 in² |
775 in² |
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Reflective material amounts |
155 in² |
201 in² |
310 in² |
201 in² |
310 in² |
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Width minimums of reflective material |
1" |
1.38" (1" for split trim designs) |
2" (1" for split trim designs) |
2" (1" for split trim designs) |
2" (1" for split trim designs) |
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Previous standard and class |
ANSI 107, Class 1 |
ANSI 107, Class 2 |
ANSI 107, Class 3 |
ANSI 207, PSV |
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Off-Road (Type O)
Type O garments are for occupational workers who are not required by the MUTCD 2009 edition to wear HVSA.
This garment type is meant to be worn in off-road environments where the worker is not proximate to traffic or temporary traffic control zones. However, the wearer may still work in an environment where there are hazards such as moving vehicles and/or equipment, and where visibility is a concern.
Type O garments are the lowest visibility items that can be approved by this standard. As such, Type O garments are always designated as Class 1.
Roadway and Temporary Traffic Control (Type R)
Type R garments are for occupational workers who are exposed to roadway traffic and work in an environment where moving vehicles and/or equipment may be present.
Type R garments can be designated as Class 2 or 3.
Public Safety Activities (Type P)
Type P garments are for workers in public safety environments such as fire, police, emergency medical services (EMS), and those who are exposed to struck-by hazards.
Type P garments can be designated as Class 2 or 3, choosing the Class most suitable for the visibility requirements of their environment.
