Frequently Asked Questions

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 High visibility (hi-vis) workwear is a type of protective clothing that is designed to make the wearer more visible in hazardous or low-light conditions. It is often made from fluorescent materials and reflective tape or shapes. 

 Hi-vis workwear is used in many different jobs, including construction, roadside work, and warehouse security. It is most often worn to alert drivers and other equipment operators of the wearer's location. Hi-vis clothing is important for safety because it helps make workers more visible to others, especially in low light or at night. This can help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.   

• Color Hi-vis clothing should be a bright color or reflective material that is easy to see against any background. The standard colors for retro-reflective material are orange, yellow, white, silver, or yellow-green. 
• Cleanliness Hi-vis clothing should be kept clean so it can be seen from a distance. 
• Fit Hi-vis trousers should not be tucked into shoes, as this can reduce the visibility of the reflective material. 
• Underneath clothing Hi-vis clothing should not be covered by clothing that is not EN 20471 standard, as this will make the hi-vis clothing less visible. 
• Class Class 3 safety vests have at least 310 square inches of reflective tape to outline the wearer's body and make them more visible. 

 High visibility (hi-vis) clothing should be replaced when it no longer warns of your presence. Here are some factors that can affect how often you need to replace hi-vis clothing: 

• Usage How often you wear the clothing can affect how quickly it loses its effectiveness. For example, if you wash your hi-vis clothing once a week, it might not last more than six months. 
• Quality The quality of the materials and production can impact how long the clothing lasts. Some brands guarantee more than 25 washes. 
• Signs of wear and tear You should replace your hi-vis clothing if it shows signs of wear and tear, such as fading reflective tape, worn patches, or missing glass beads. 
• Visibility If your hi-vis clothing is dirty or contaminated, it might not be as visible and could lead to mishaps. 
• Sunlight If you hang your hi-vis clothing in direct sunlight, it might need to be replaced sooner. 
• Rotating use Rotating your hi-vis clothing so you don't wash it as often can help prolong its lifetime. 
• Inspection card You can use an inspection card to check if your hi-vis clothing is still visible. 

  Hi-vis clothing is categorized into three classes, each with a different level of protection: 

• Class 1 This is the lowest level of protection and includes two-tone vests and hi-vis clothing with a minimum of 0.14 square meters of fluorescent material and 0.10 square meters of reflective material. 
• Class 2 This is the middle level of protection and includes hi-vis vests with 0.50 square meters of fluorescent background fabric and 0.13 square meters of reflective material. Class 2 hi-vis clothing is suitable for workers in higher-risk environments with speed limits of less than 50 miles per hour. 
• Class 3 This is the highest level of visibility and includes hi-vis jackets, long-sleeve sweatshirts, and T-shirts, as well as vests that combine 0.8 square meters of fluorescent background material and 0.2 square meters of reflective fabric. Class 3 garments are often used in high-risk areas like motorways and airports, or when working at night. 

The size of a garment can also affect its classification, as larger sizes can have larger visible areas. For example, a pair of hi-vis trousers can be either Class 1 or Class 2 depending on their size.