The Difference Between Class 2 and Class 3 Safety Apparel

Customized safety vests, shirts, sweatshirts, and jackets use bright colors and reflective tape to make employees visible in outdoor and low-light conditions. The visibility requirements for hi-viz gear change depending on the work environment. Most worksites require either Class 2 or Class 3 safety apparel. 

What is PPE?

PPE stands for personal protective equipment and includes all equipment designed to protect the wearer from harm. PPE includes items as diverse as safety jackets, helmets, goggles, electricians gloves, welders helmets, personal ventilation systems, and harnesses — any physical items worn on the body that reduce the risk of employee injury while improving safety in the workplace.

Who Regulates PPE Equipment?

In the United States, OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) oversees the regulation and enforcement of PPE equipment. OSHA has adopted standards for safety clothing set by ANSI (the American National Standards Institute). Failure to abide by OSHA regulations concerning PPE can result in fines.

 

Class 2 Safety Apparel

Class 2 safety apparel describes safety sweatshirts, jackets, vests, and shirts designed for work near heavy traffic driving over 25 mph and in low visibility areas. Workers wearing Class 2 safety gear should still be at a safe distance from traffic. Examples of jobs requiring Class 2 safety apparel include airport workers, forestry workers, employees of high-volume parking lots, and toll booth operators. 

To be considered Class 2, safety shirts and other garments must include a minimum of 201 square inches of reflective tape with a tape width of 1? inches to 2 inches. In addition, reflective stripes must reach over the shoulders and around the middle of the garment.

Examples of customized safety vests and clothing that meet Class 2 requirements include

• The Reversible Bomber Jacket Class 2
• CROWN’s ANSI CLASS 2 Basic Mesh Vest
• OccuNomix’s Classic Lightweight Hoodie with Zipper
• The Wicking & Cooling Birdseye Polo Short Sleeve T-Shirt by OccuNomix

 

Class 3 Safety

Personnel working close to high-traffic areas must wear Class 3 safety apparel. Traffic in such locations may reach speeds of 50 mph or higher. Occupations requiring Class 3 safety jackets include emergency responders, utility crews, and railway workers who work next to or on roads or in similar hazardous locations such as construction sites. 

Class 3 customized safety vests require a minimum of 310 square inches of two-inch wide reflective tape. The clothing should give the worker a complete silhouette outline to indicate to drivers that they are approaching someone. In addition to reflective tape over the shoulders and around the middle, Class 3 garments must have reflective material on the arms and legs (where applicable).

The following are examples of typical class 3 safety sweatshirts, shirts, and other garments:

• Lightweight Safety Vest
•  Class 3 Chore Coat by CROWN
•  ANSI Class 3 Safety Orange Polo T-Shirt
•  Premium Brilliant Series Long Rain Coat by Kishigo

Customized Safety Vests

Customized safety vests stand out and keep your employees safe. Customize high-visibility vests and safety jackets to include your logo, resulting in brand impressions as traffic and pedestrians pass by. After all, the intent of customized safety vests is to increase your employees’ visibility, so why not take advantage of that to promote your brand? A set of customized safety jackets looks smart, encourages a sense of teamwork among employees, and demonstrates to everyone that you care about employee safety.

 

Unsure whether you need customized safety vests, safety sweatshirts, or safety shirts? Contact Triple Crown Products today. We’ll help you choose the right PPE equipment for your workforce.