Why is Hi-Vis Clothing Important To Wear on Construction Sites?

Worker safety is the most important priority on any construction site. 

One out of every five work-related deaths occurs in the construction industry. Falls, electrocutions, getting struck by objects, and being caught in or between equipment and vehicles account for over half of these deaths. 

Many of these tragedies occur because the employee was not visible to other equipment operators or passing traffic. Increasing worker visibility is one of the best ways to improve safety on construction sites, and the most efficient way to do so is with hi-vis workwear and uniforms. 

What is Hi-Vis Clothing? 

Hi-vis clothing is workwear designed to be as noticeable as possible. Hi-vis uniforms are typically made of bright colored fabrics covered with strips of reflective material and may include hi-vis shirts, pants, vests, and overalls. 

Why is Hi-Vis Clothing Important On Construction Sites?

High-vis clothing makes construction workers more visible, so they stand out against their environment. Machinery operators and drivers are more likely to see a worker in low-light conditions if he or she wears hi-vis workwear, reducing the risk of collisions and other accidents. 

Hi-vis uniforms aren’t just for nighttime or low-light use. Such clothing also helps workers stand out during the day, especially in sites with lots of background activity or poor weather conditions. Wearing hi-vis clothing improves overall safety in the construction industry, no matter when it’s worn. 

What Construction Site Safety Standards Regulate Hi-Vis Clothing?

Like many work-related safety issues, visibility is regulated by OSHA. OSHA uses the same visibility guidelines as the Federal Highway Administration: the American National Standard for High Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear (ANSI/ISEA 107-2015). 

The ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 establishes four classes of hi-vis workwear:

• Class 1 uses a minimum amount of high visibility material to differentiate workers from off-road environments.
• Class 2 provides more visibility, better distinguishing the wearer from background environments. Class 2 is the minimum amount of hi-vis protection required for roadway construction.
• Class 3 provides the highest level of visibility and definition. To be considered Class 3, hi-vis shirts and jackets must be long-sleeved.
• Class E describes hi-vis pants and overalls. Wearing Class E pants and Class 2 hi-vis shirts is the equivalent of wearing Class 3 shirts.

Most construction sites require Class 3 hi-vis workwear or a combination of Class 2 and Class E garments. Additional garments, such as brightly colored neck gaiters, sun hats, and hard hats, don’t change the class of hi-vis uniforms but provide extra visibility.

Types of Hi-Vis Construction Clothing

for construction site safety can take many forms. Here are a few examples of the most common styles, from pants and shirts to hi-vis overalls.

Hi-vis vests are perhaps the most common type of high-vis clothing. Available in Class 1, 2, and 3 categories, hi-vis vests are lightweight pieces of outerwear designed to improve visibility without restricting movement. Examples include: 

• The ANSI Class 3 Deluxe Triple Trim Mesh Vest with Velcro Front Safety Orange by CROWN
• The ANSI Class 3 Deluxe Triple Trim Mesh Vest by CROWN
• The Break-Away Class 3 Vest by OccuNomix

Hi-vis shirts make extra vests unnecessary — an advantage when working in hot summer environments. Hi-vis shirts come in long and short-sleeved varieties, and often have moisture-wicking properties to move sweat away from the body. Examples include:

• The Long Sleeve Wicking Birdseye Polo Shirt with Pocket by OccuNomix
• The ANSI Class 3 Safety Yellow Polo T-Shirt
• The ANSI Class 3 Safety Orange Polo T-Shirt

For wet, cold environments, hi-vis shirts are often replaced with high visibility jackets or sweatshirts such as:

• The OccuNomix Black Bottom "X" Back Hoodie with zipper
• The Caterpillar Hi-Vis Waterproof H2O Jacket
  
• The Port Authority Class 3 Safety Heavyweight Parka

Hi-vis pants are often worn to satisfy Class 3 visibility requirements in combination with Class 2 workwear. Hi-vis pants may also provide insulation against cold temperatures or protect against wind and rain. Typical hi-vis pants include:

How Long Does Hi-Vis Clothing Last? 

Vital for construction site safety, hi-vis workwear can be customized with embroidered logos to display your brand while helping keep your employees visible and out of harm’s way.