In the world of Hi-Vis vests, the American National Standards Institute, or ANSI, have commissioned a set of standards to be followed by safety vest manufacturers. The ANSI/ISEA 107 standard describes the production requirements which are recommended for maximum visibility and protection of the people wearing them. It specifies the size, color, type and placement of the reflective material. The rules are broken down into separate classes, each which meet the specific needs that have been designated for different uses. A safety vest that has been manufactured to these requirements is considered an ANSI class safety vest, or ANSI compliant.

ANSI CLASS 2 SAFETY VESTS

ANSI Class 2 safety vests are designed for workers that are located in areas where the background could consist of lots of colors and depth, and the worker needs to stand out against the complex background. Typically, this type of safety vest is worn by those who work in lower-risk jobs such as road construction workers, first responders, and the operators of tolls.

ANSI CLASS 3 SAFETY VESTS

ANSI Class 3 safety vests are designed for workers who must have a level of very high visibility and who work in high-risk jobs like emergency personnel, highway workers, and the operators of tow trucks. Not only do they need to be highly visible but they also need a high level of mobility and flexibility while wearing these hi-vis vests.

NON-ANSI ENHANCED VISIBILITY

Non-ANSI safety vests are those that require a minimal level of visibility. They are considered Class 1 Safety vests and are for those people who will be working in such conditions as to be further away from moving traffic and which will also not exceed speeds of 25 MPH. These kinds of safety vests are ideal for people who work in warehouses, as parking lot attendants, maintenance workers, and even volunteers; they are typically for those working in low light conditions who don't require as much visibility but could benefit from it. These garments are not ANSI compliant.

ANSI CLASS E SAFETY VESTS

Class E applies to pants or shorts that are retro-reflective, that is, equipped with material which enables the garment to reflect light back to its source. Class E clothing is meant to be worn in combination with Class 2 or Class 3 tops, and when combined the ensemble in considered to be Class 3.