Enhance your visibility on the job
Standard safety gear may be insufficient during certain times of the workday or specific areas of a job site. High-visibility work shirts are crucial personal protective equipment. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates that employees in construction, maintenance, utilities, any area accessible to the public, transportation, and emergency response wear high-visibility safety apparel. These garments, often in luminous colors with optional reflective stripes, ensure that workers are easily seen, reducing the risk of accidents or injuries. Cyclists, motorcycle riders, and hunters also wear this apparel to boost their visibility on roads and in natural settings. At Inland Empire Safety & Supply, you can explore a range of high-visibility clothing like t-shirts, sweatshirts, vests, jackets, and polo shirts, with bulk purchasing options available.
Understanding High-Visibility Shirts
A high-visibility shirt is typically made of brightly colored fluorescent material that stands out against any backdrop. To comply with ANSI standards, hi-vis workwear must have a minimum of 40% reflectiveness on the front and back when laid flat. Besides their neon colors, these garments often feature retroreflective stripes that reflect up to 82% of light back to its source, enhancing visibility, particularly in sectors like road construction, transportation involving railways and airports, and operations involving heavy machinery. These garments are designed to meet ANSI Class Standards, ensuring they provide maximum safety in poorly-lit environments.
Legal Colors for High-Visibility Apparel and the Legality of Blue Vests
According to ANSI and OSHA, only specific colors like fluorescent yellow-green, orange-red, and similar luminous hues qualify for high-visibility clothing. These colors are preferred because they quickly draw the eye, day or night. Retroreflective elements are also essential for visibility in low-light conditions. While some non-ANSI-compliant blue hi-vis garments are used, they are not recognized by ANSI or OSHA as suitable for high-visibility safety apparel and are less effective in light emission. Industries may permit blue hi-vis wear for non-critical roles, but for OSHA-regulated tasks, it's safer to adhere to approved standards to avoid compromising on safety.
Reflective Safety Apparel Benefits in the Workplace
ANSI-certified Class 2 and Class 3 high-visibility clothing are designed to meet the rigorous safety demands of hazardous workplaces. Class 2 apparel must have at least 775 square inches of safety yellow or orange fabric and 201 square inches of reflective striping. This classification is suitable for workers near traffic moving between 25 to 50 mph, including toll booth operators, parking attendants, airport ground staff, and survey crews. Inland Empire Safety & Supply offers various options.
Class 3 apparel provides the highest level of visibility with at least 1,240 square inches of background material and 310 square inches of reflective striping, necessary for environments where traffic exceeds 50 mph. This gear is essential for workers in high-risk areas like road construction and incident response.
Material Choices for High-Visibility Clothing
High-visibility clothing relies on specific fabrics like polyester, known for its durability, color retention, and moisture-wicking properties, to maintain ANSI compliance. Polyester's ability to keep its high-visibility dye despite frequent washing and its quick-dry feature enhances worker comfort by effectively managing sweat. Although cotton is less suitable due to its poor dye retention, blends of cotton and polyester are used to combine visibility with the comfort of cotton.
Variety in High-Visibility Shirt Designs
High-visibility shirts are available in long-sleeve, short-sleeve, and sleeveless options to suit different working conditions. Long-sleeve shirts provide complete arm coverage, enhancing safety from various occupational hazards, while short-sleeve shirts are preferred in indoor, warm environments for better mobility. Sleeveless vests are primarily used for added visibility over other workwear in settings like warehouses and construction sites to ensure visibility to machine operators.
Flame-Resistant Features
For environments with fire hazards, flame-resistant (FR) high-visibility clothing is crucial. These garments use special materials that enhance safety by reducing burn injury risks, essential for high-risk job sites. Inland Empire Safety & Supply prioritizes safety with a selection of FR high-visibility clothing options.
Customization Services for High-Visibility Apparel
Inland Empire Safety & Supply offers customization services for high-visibility clothing, including printing company logos on shirts. This service, available for orders of 12 or more garments, can include custom designs printed on various