What Is the Best High Visibility Color to Wear on the Job Site?

When we think about high visibility clothing, we often think about the most common fluorescent shades—HiVis green, neon yellow, bright orange. Indeed, these are among the most popular shades of hi vis apparel, but they’re not the only ones to consider. In fact, black may also be viable options that you should keep in your arsenal of workwear.

When designing your workwear program, it’s important to consider the unique environment and hazards of the workplace. Choosing the right color of high visibility apparel can help ensure that you’re as safe as possible when working among common hazards, including high-speed traffic and heavy machinery. Here are the most common high visibility hues.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) have set forth some important guidelines in high visibility apparel as part of the ANSI 107/ISEA 107 standard. The three accepted colors of high visibility apparel are yellow-green, orange-red, and red. Here’s some more information on how, when, and where to sport these hues.

• Fluorescent Yellow-Green – According to the ANSI standard, yellow-green apparel must have a minimum total luminance factor (brightness) of 70 percent, making it the brightest high visibility color. Wear fluorescent yellow-green apparel in the following situations:

• To Create Contrast with Orange Cones and Barriers – When wearing hi vis clothing in the roadway, you need to think about how to best stand out to motorists who are potentially blazing by at top speeds. The yellow-green coloring is a great way to keep yourself highly visible, as well as distinguishable from orange cones and barriers.
• To Create Contrast When Working in Urban Environments – To enhance conspicuity, you should wear the color that best contrasts with the environment around you. For example, yellow-green may help workers stand out more against a black or gray roadway but may blend in with a green or natural background.

Fluorescent Orange-Red – Orange-red is a common color of high visibility apparel and barriers because it serves as a universal color of hazard and caution. With that said, it is not always the best choice because drivers associate the hue with signs, cones, and barriers. Naturally, you don’t want to even subconsciously signal to drivers that you are inanimate!

• Fluorescent Orange-Red – Orange-red is a common color of high visibility apparel and barriers because it serves as a universal color of hazard and caution. With that said, it is not always the best choice because drivers associate the hue with signs, cones, and barriers. Naturally, you don’t want to even subconsciously signal to drivers that you are inanimate!

• Fluorescent Red – High visibility, fluorescent red is the newest addition to the ANSI lineup of colors. While the color has been widely used in the European and international markets for years, it is only now becoming commonplace within the US workforce. The addition of the HiVis red providers workers another option where neither fluorescent yellow nor orange simply will not do. Often, orange-red or red high vis apparel is preferred at dusk or in lower-lit conditions, as the eyes may be able to see this color better when ambient light levels are lower. Just make sure your red apparel has plenty of retroreflective material.
• Black – There has been a significant increase in the use of black high visibility apparel. It seems almost counter-intuitive to use black for increased visibility; however, it can be designed to compliant to meet ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 standard for Type O, Class 1 guidelines. There is a minimum amount of both retroreflective and fluorescent material required to be combined with the black background material. It's very important to remember this color is only acceptable for off-road use. However, black may be preferred by those who desire a more muted look—such as public safety officers or firefighters—but who do not work in high-traffic environments.
• Other Colors - While the ANSI standard does only call to attention only a few select colors, the continued expansion of the US job market, and increasing acceptance of improved visibility on the job site, has brought about the introduction of more and more Enhanced Visibility garments. Although not currently recognized by the ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 standard, Enhanced Visibility workwear is being used more and more in work environments like logistics, manufacturing, and other industries that contend less with struck-by hazards; but are seeking departmental identification.

Wearing the right high visibility apparel can save your life, plain and simple. But not all hi vis gear is created equal. Different colors, materials, and standards exist to keep workers safe from the most common workplace hazards, so be sure to choose the right apparel for your unique work environment.