Workers can sometimes be in situations that require a certain type of safety apparel. ANSI products are certified by the American National Standards Institute and that organization ensures that their products are of the highest standards. They also correlate with internationally accepted standards, which means they have worldwide approval. If employees must work in circumstances where they need to be highly visible, ANSI vest are the best bet.
Class One
There are different classes of vests, depending on the various circumstances. Class One is for those who will be in situations where they will be relatively safe from traffic. If someone works in a warehouse where forklifts and other equipment are used, this reflective apparel is safest. It is also necessary for employees who need to work on sidewalks, for parking attendants and for those who retrieve shopping carts.
Class Two
If traffic will be moving at speeds of more than 25mph, workers in those situations use Class Two apparel. The ANSI class II vest is also used if certain weather conditions decrease general visibility. These are worn by policemen conducting traffic as well as crossing guards and those who work on airport tarmacs. The visibility factor is slightly higher than Class One.
Class Three
Class Three identifies the apparel that has the highest visibility. These vests are used for all types of poor weather conditions and also when traffic speeds will be greater than 50 miles per hour. All employees working on road construction, including those who are vehicle operators, are safest when they are wearing this class of vest. Investigators at accident sites also use them, as well as emergency medical teams. Class Two and Three vests are worn by those who work on or near railways, as well.
Reflective
There are standards applied to each of these classes. They all need to be clearly visible and use retro-reflective materials of a certain width. The first type requires a width of one inch or more, the second must be greater than 1.38 inches and the third type requires a width of at least two inches. These requirements create the best visibility possible in the various situations.
Colors
Yellow, green, and orange fluorescent colors are used for this type of apparel. The reflective bands are white or gray and are meant to provide a strong contrast. The base materials can be mesh, fabric, or both, and some styles specify a clear contrasting outline.
Styles
The products are available by the class names or they can be given names such as Economy, Incident Command Safety or Public Service. Jackets and t-shirts that follow ANSI guidelines are also available. Some additional options include pockets and zippers on the apparel.