|
Background Materials
|
|
Class 3
|
0.8 m²
|
1240 in²
|
|
Class 2
|
0.5 m²
|
775 in²
|
|
Class 1
|
0.14 m²
|
217 in²
|
The
American National Standard (ANSI) and the Canadian Standards Association
Standard (CSA) specifies minimum amounts of background fabrics and
retroreflective materials for high-visibility garments. Background
fabrics must be fluorescent yellow-green, fluorescent orange-red or fluorescent red,
(the additional colors bright yellow-green, bright orange-red or bright
red are acceptable for the CSA standard).
107-1999eve
that iscencing .s action at the Ontario Rental Housing Authority and the
Urban develpomeBoth
of these standards establish
three classes of high-visibility safety clothing. Class 1, 2, and 3 are
designated for each level of visibility, depending on the working
environment for such things as traffic volume and visual complexity of
the areas in which the garments will be worn.
All
classes must provide the wearer 360º visibility.
This is accomplished in a jacket by having the
retroreflective striping encircle the torso and matching stripes on each
arm. For garments with legs the retroreflective striping encircles
each leg no more than 350 mm above the bottom of the leg.
The
CSA specification requires that the minimum width of all stripes shall be
no less than 50mm for all classes, where the ANSI standard will vary. The
retroreflective striping has some special rules regarding the placement
of the stripe. There are to be no gaps of more than 50mm on any
horizontal stripe and 50mm on any vertical stripe
These
standards specify three conspicuity classes of garments based on the
wearer’s activities.
Class 1 has the least amount of
fluorescent and retroreflective trim, while Class 3 safety clothing has
the most. To fulfill the requirements of Class 1, workers can wear a
harness made of combined performance (reflective and fluorescent)
material.
Conspicuity Class 1 : NOT SUGGESTED FOR LAW
ENFORCEMENT USES
Class 2 provides "superior
visibility for wearers," and is more conspicuous than Class 1.
Garments worn by Class 2 workers are designed for use in occupational
activities where risk levels exceed those of Class 1, such as roadway
construction and utility repair.
Conspicuity Class 2
·
For workers who require greater visibility under inclement weather
conditions
·
When work backgrounds are complex
·
When tasks divert attention from approaching vehicle traffic
·
When work areas are located near vehicle traffic moving at
speeds of 25 mph
High-Visibility Safety Apparel for
·
Roadway construction workers or Railway workers
·
Utility workers or Survey crews
·
School crossing guards
·
Airport baggage handlers/ground crew
·
Emergency response personnel
·
Law enforcement personnel
·
Accident site investigators
|
Class
2 Minimum Standards *
Vest,
Jacket, Rainwear, Etc.
|
|
201 in²
|
0.13 m²
|
8.38 linear ft.
|
50 mm
|
2"
|
|
201 in²
|
0.13 m²
|
12.2 linear ft.
|
35 mm
|
1 3/8"
|
|
* Sizes of
retroreflective trim may be combined to meet the minimum area
requirement for a
Class 2 garment. Class 2 does
not permit 25 mm (1") trim to be used.
|
Class 3 garments are worn in
inclement weather, under heavy traffic conditions, or when complex
backgrounds impair visibility. According to the ANSI/ISEA 107-1999
National Standard, "conspicuity is enhanced by high contrast between
the clothing and the ambient background against which it is seen."
When Class E garments (trousers) are worn with a Class 2 vest, waistcoat,
jacket, or poncho, the overall classification for the ensemble is Class
3. The standard specifies that apparel must be capable of signaling the
user's presence visually. Retroreflective trim is intended to provide
conspicuity for the user in hazardous situations. Fluorescent lime-yellow
trim enhances visibility under any light conditions during the day, while
retroreflective trim is brightly visible under illumination by vehicle
headlights in low light or dark conditions.
Conspicuity Class 3
·
For pedestrian workers and vehicle operators whose high task
loads place them in danger
·
When wearer must be conspicuous through the full range of body
motions at a minimum of 390 m (1280 feet)
·
When wearer must be identifiable as a person
·
When workers are exposed to traffic moving at speeds exceeding
50 mph
High-Visibility Safety Apparel for
·
Roadway construction workers
·
Utility workers or Survey crews
·
Emergency response personnel
·
Law enforcement personnel
|
Class
3 Minimum Standards *
Jacket,
Rainwear, Etc.
|
|
310 in²
|
0.2 m²
|
12.92 linear ft.
|
50 mm
|
2"
|
|
* Only 50 mm (2")
retroreflective trim may be used to meet the minimum area requirement
for a Class 3 garment. Class 3 does not permit 35 mm (1 3/8") or
25 mm (1") trim to be used.
|
Suggested Patterns for
Design
 
OUTDOOR OUTFITS and the ANSI/ISEA
107-1999 & CSA Z96-02 Standards
OUTDOOR
OUTFITS is offering the following styles, which are all classified under
these standards. Other special garments can be tailored to meet your department’s
needs. Note: any REFLECTIVE patterns are only suggestions and can be
changed to suit your department’s needs.
- 3-Ply
PROTEX - Waterproof / Breathable:
Style 8125 ANSI :3 Ply PROTEX Shorty Reversible
Raincoat
Style 8015 ANSI :3 Ply PROTEX Reversible Raincoat
- Reversible -
Waterproof:
Style 9125 ANSI :Shorty Reversible Raincoat
Style 9015 ANSI :Reversible Raincoat
Style 9034 ANSI :Reversible Raincoat
Style 9515 ANSI :Reversible Raincoat
- Rainsuit -
Waterproof:
Style 9150 ANSI :Rain Jacket & Pants
FAQ:
1.
Is this a new law?
ANSI/ISEA 107-1999 and CSA Z96-02 are voluntary consensus standards, recognized as
North American National Standards. Until the publication of these
documents, there was no uniform, authoritative guide for the design,
performance specifications, and use of high-visibility and reflective
apparel in the United States or Canada. These represent what the industry and users view as
necessary to adequately protect workers from the hazards associated with
low visibility.
2.
The designation of the standard is
ANSI/ISEA 107-1999. I have heard of ANSI standards but who is ISEA and
what is their role in this standard?
ISEA - The Safety Equipment Association is the national trade association
for manufacturers of safety and personal protective equipment. ISEA is
dedicated to protecting the health and safety of all workers through the
development of workplace standards and the education of users on safe
work practices and exposure prevention. The standard was drafted by an
ISEA product group, and the association managed the process by which it
achieved national consensus. As the secretariat, ISEA publishes the
standard and responds to requests for interpretation.
3.
Are these standards the same as the
European EN 471 standard?
The developers of these standards used many of the requirements of EN 471
because they have confidence in the reasoning and science supporting the
performance criteria that it established.
4.
Does OSHA know about this? What is their
position?
As with many of the other PPE standards that ISEA develops, ANSI/ISEA
107-1999 and CSA Z96-02 are being publicized and distributed to all areas of the
federal, state, provincial and local governments for recognition as a
guide for high visibility apparel and the workers who use them. OSHA
encourages the development of voluntary industry consensus standards and
is an advocate for their use.
5.
Who will tell me what conspicuity class
of garment I need?
The standards include some examples, (we have listed them in this
document), of the conditions that each class may require. However, the
employer must evaluate the work conditions and environment to determine
what class is appropriate for an individual worker.
6.
Do these standards only permit the
designs that are provided in the Appendix/Annex of these Standards?
NO. The designs provided in the appendix or annex of these standards are
only examples. There may be many innovative designs that meet the
standard and are different from the limited examples in the appendix.
Section 5.2.1 of the ANSI/ISEA 107-1999 standard and Section 4.2 of the CSA
Z96-02 standard state the only design
requirements of these standards. However
the CSA Z96-02 standard does require the X pattern
as mandatory to be on the back of all garments.
7.
Do open weave or mesh meet the
background material requirements of the standard?
All background
materials must meet the performance requirements in the standard. Because
the performance of the garment is greatly affected by what the user wears
under it, when using open weave or mesh fabrics, it may be difficult to
meet the standard. However, ANSI/ISEA 107 is a performance standard and
the material specifications are not written to include or exclude any
materials if they meet the requirements for visibility and durability.
8.
My workers are only out during the
day/night. Why do I need so much background/ retroreflective materials
that affect the cost of the garments?
Great variability in illumination conditions exists in daytime or
nighttime due to weather, daylight savings time etc. A national standard
should protect workers in all possible lighting conditions, day or night.
ENFORCEMENT USESD
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