Are Surveyor Vests Only for Surveyors?

Surveyors perform an essential function for the construction, real estate, and civil engineering industries. Before a building or roadway can be constructed, surveyors have to determine property boundaries and catalog the land’s geographic features. This data is crucial for a successful construction project, so we have surveyors to thank for just about every building and public works feature that allows us to live our lives.

When doing their job, surveyors need durable high visibility surveyor vests to keep them safe. Below, we’ll examine why surveyors use surveyor vests and how they’re different from a normal safety vest. Then, we’ll look at why surveyor vests are a great option for workers in a variety of industries, as well as some of HiVis Supply’s most popular surveyor vest models.

Surveyors often have to work near roadways, around construction equipment, or in remote areas. A lack of visibility can quickly become a safety issue in these areas. Everyone, from drivers on a busy street to hunters in a wooded area, needs to have a clear visual signal that a surveyor is present and that their safety is on the line.

To meet these needs, surveyors wear high visibility surveyor vests called surveyor vests. Ultra-bright colors and reflective stripes provide an instant visual cue that draws the human eye and registers the surveyor’s presence in the visual field. These vests are often designed to meet the ANSI 107 high visibility safety standard, including high-performance reflective material that further improves visibility in roadway areas. 

Surveyor vests are similar to regular safety vests in many respects. However, a surveyor vest has a key difference that defines it: It’s designed to help surveyors carry and access their most essential job supplies.

All surveyor vests include additional pockets for small tools that a surveyor frequently uses on the job. A typical surveyor will need to have all of the following readily available while working:

• Survey map
• Compass
• Walkie-talkie
• Cell phone
• Pen and pencil
• Notepad
• GPS device

The pockets on a surveyor vest help make a surveyor more mobile and efficient by keeping supplies close at hand rather than having to constantly return to a toolbox or vehicle. Different models of surveyor vest include different pocket configurations, but most include at least two large pockets on the front of the vest. Another key feature of a true surveyor safety vest is the large utility pocket located on the back of the safety vest. It is large enough to hold a survey map or other large tools.

Surveyor vests are also designed with comfort features that allow them to be worn for a long time since surveyors often spend all day in the field. Heavy-duty closure systems like durable zippers and snaps keep surveyor vests comfortably attached without the need for constant adjustment, and breathable polyester mesh fabrics make them comfortable for extended wear.

If you need a safety vest for your job, you might be thinking: “I like those pockets, and the vests look pretty comfy. Can I wear a surveyor vest even if I work in construction, on an airport tarmac, or any of the many other places that require a safety vest?”

In general, the answer is yes, as long as the surveyor vest still meets any relevant high visibility requirements for your job. A surveyor vest will still offer great performance for any of the following areas, among others: 

• Warehouse and logistics
• Event management and security
• Factory and machine shop
• Airport tarmac
• Railway maintenance

Before you choose a surveyor vest, be sure that you’re aware of the relevant ANSI high visibility standards that your vest needs to meet. Check OSHA standards and industry best practices to learn if high visibility vests are required for your workplace. 

Whether you’re a surveyor or you just need a high-performance pocketed safety vest, HiVis Supply has you covered. Here are some of our top options for surveyor vests:

• ML Kishigo S5002/S5003 Black Series Class 2 Surveyors Safety Vest: A breathable zippered vest with classy black accents that help your vest maintain a clean look. 
• ML Kishigo S5010/S5011 Class 3 Professional Surveyors Safety Vest: With a total of eight pockets, this vest can carry everything you need and more. 
• Radians SV59Z Heavy Duty ANSI Class 2 Zippered Surveyors Safety Vest: Another classic heavy-duty surveyor vest, this time with an extra-large back pocket perfect for holding important documents. It is also available in a women’s cut in the SV59W.
• GSS Safety 1511 Onyx Series Class 2 HiVis Ripstop Surveyors Vest: If durability is a major concern, you’ll love this vest’s ripstop material that’s as comfortable as it is tough.