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If you're in the market for high visibility clothing, you've probably come across the acronym "ANSI." But what does it mean, and why is it important? ANSI stands for American National Standards Institute and they set the standards that must be met when manufacturing high visibility apparel. Let's take a closer look at what this means and how these standards help ensure safety.
What Are ANSI High Visibility Standards?
The purpose of ANSI high visibility standards is to provide workers with garments that will make them more visible in their work environment. This includes both day and night conditions. The ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 standard sets the guidelines for how much reflective material should be used on a garment as well as other requirements such as color, size, background material, etc. The standard also includes two classes of garments - Class 2 and Class 3 - which are based on the amount of reflective material used and the background material used in the garment.
Class 2 garments are required for workers who need to be seen from greater distances, typically up to 1,280 feet away. These garments must have at least 775 square inches of reflective material or 1,240 square inches of fluorescent material. They must also have contrasting trim or background material that is bright yellow-green, orange-red, or orange.
Class 3 garments are designed for workers who need to be seen from even greater distances - up to 1,960 feet away. These garments must have at least 1,240 square inches of reflective material or 2,000 square inches of fluorescent material. They must also have contrasting trim or background material that is bright yellow-green, orange-red, or orange.
In addition to these two classes of apparel there are other requirements that must be met in order for a garment to meet ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 standards such as minimum sizes for logos and lettering and proper placement of reflective materials on a garment.
Knowing about ANSI high visibility standards is an important part of ensuring your safety while working in hazardous conditions. When shopping for hi vis clothing make sure to look for items that meet ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 standards so you know your garment will provide you with maximum visibility both during the day and night time hours. With this knowledge you can rest assured knowing that you’re wearing apparel that meets all the necessary safety requirements set forth by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
