ANSI Standards Summary

Class 1:
Apparel worn by workers where traffic does not exceed 25 mph and there is ample separation from traffic. Example occupations include parking service attendants, warehouse workers in equipment traffic, shopping cart retrievers, and those doing sidewalk maintenance.

Apparel needs to be clearly visible and use retro-reflective materials not less than 1 inch (25 mm) in width.

Class 2:
Apparel for workers who work near roadways where traffic exceeds 25 mph and need greater visibility in inclement weather is needed. Example occupations include railway workers, school crossing guards, parking and toll gate personnel, airport ground crews, and law enforcement personnel directing traffic.

These garments have superior visibility and are more clearly visible than the Class 1 apparel. The minimum width of the retroreflective material used on these is not less than 1.38 inches (35 mm).

Class 3:
Apparel provides the highest level of visibility for workers. These are for workers with high task loads in a wide range of weather conditions where traffic exceeds 50 mph. The standard recommends Class 3 apparel for all roadway construction personnel, vehicle operators, utility workers, survey crews, emergency responders, railway workers, and accident site investigators.

Apparel has the greatest visibility of the three classes. These will have more retro-reflective material used in its construction than the Class 2 and it must have sleeves with retroreflective material between the shoulders and elbow. The width of the retroreflective material to be used shall not be less than 2 inches (50 mm) wide.