The Most Recent Updates to ANSI 107-2015 High Visibility Standard Made Simple

Construction Worker Wearing HiVis Clothing and PPE Doing Paperwork

Do you feel like every time you turn around there’s a new policy in place or some major changes in safety regulation? While you know these safety updates are for the greater good of all workers, it can be tough keeping track of it all. 

 

The latest update to the American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Accessories (ANSI 107-2015) is a prime example of important changes that you need to be aware of when you’re outfitting yourself or your team with high visibility safety apparel (HVSA). 

 

So much has changed in the world of hi vis. High visibility garments today are scientifically engineered to cover a slew of occupational hazards that include poor visibility, busy roadways, rain and snow, exposure to fire or flame — the list goes on. Plus, high visibility safety apparel isn’t just vests and outerwear anymore. T-shirts, rainwear, headwear, gloves, arm bands and other accessories all fall under the high visibility safety category. 

 

That’s great! But with the recent updates to the ANSI standard, there’s a few things you need to know. 

How is ANSI 107-2015 Different? 

 

ANSI 107-2015 basically combined the previously separated 107 standard and the 207 standard into one single document to make things easier. The new update focuses on a few different aspects of high visibility safety apparel. They include: 

 

  • Design
  • Background and Combined Performance Retroreflective Materials
  • Photometric and Physical Requirements for Retroreflective Materials
  • Label Markings


The new version of the standard separates the different applications that hi vis gear is typically used into ‘TYPES’. Now workers in off-road (Type O/Class 1), roadway (Type R/Class 2 & Class 3) and public safety (Type P/Class 2 & Class 3) applications each have specific requirements for the HVSA they must wear. Type P also added a compliance option for emergency and incident responders. 


Related: High Visibility Clothing: The Secret to Staying Comfortable and Alive

American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Accessories Updates

 

Design Updates

For workers that have a smaller frame, finding comfortable and effective high visibility safety apparel was tough. Most HVSA was designed for larger builds. The result was bulky or ill-fitting clothing that not only made it uncomfortable to wear, but downright dangerous as well. What happens if you’re wearing a high visibility jacket and the sleeves are a bit too long? Well, if you’re working around machinery or moving parts it doesn’t take much imagination to think what can happen with all that extra fabric hanging around. 

 

The new requirements in ANSI 107-2015 are less design restrictive, which means improved fit for smaller body frames. That’s a win right there! 

 

Label Markings Updates

 

There’s been some serious updates to the information that must be present on all high visibility garments. That makes sense because how often are workers going to refer to a spec sheet for care and laundering instructions? Now, garment labels must include: 

 

  • Manufacturer’s Name
  • Item Number, Size, Maximum Wash Cycles
  • Pictogram with Class, Type and Performance Level
  • Flame-Resistant Characteristics Indicators: Flame-resistant properties must be labeled on garment’s markings with “FR” and the specific ASTM standard. A separate label must be attached that indicates certification to NFPA 1977 or 2112. If garment isn’t flame-resistant it must be marked “This garment is not flame resistant as defined by ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 Section 10.5”.
  • Service Life: ANSI 107 notes that all high visibility items have a limited lifetime of use requiring employers to repair or replace garments that are torn, faded, soiled, cracked, burned, heavily abraded or damaged. 
Construction Worker With HiVis Sweatshirt - ML Kishigo JS150Construction Worker With HiVis Sweatshirt - ML Kishigo JS150

Retroreflective Material Updates

 

The amount of reflective material that reflects light back to its source is the retroreflective factor. ANSI 107-2015 calls for garments to meet certain requirements like color, brightness, fabric strength, retroreflective band placement and moisture resistance. Certain widths and amounts of ANSI-compliant retroreflective material is required to make sure people stand out in low-light situations or against complex backgrounds. Not only that, but the material needs to be tested for chromaticity and luminance. 

 

Material Updates

 

The colored fluorescent background material on the garment must be highly conspicuous. Plus if a material is deemed a combined-performance material, it must have retroreflective qualities as well as fluorescent material. 

 

It’s also important to choose the background color based on the environment you’ll be working in. Yellow-green is probably not ideal if you’re working near green grass, trees and shrubbery. The three component colors that are approved for background material and combined performance material include:

 

  1. Fluorescent Yellow-Green
  2. Fluorescent Orange-Red
  3. Fluorescent Red


We know this is a ton of information and believe it or not there’s even more to consider. Just know we are here when you need us to help you figure it all out. Confused and looking for a little extra advice? Click here to get in touch with one of our knowledgeable members of our team. 

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