Hi vis clothing, short for high visibility clothing, is safety apparel made to help workers stand out in busy, hazardous, or low-light environments. Whether someone is working near traffic, moving equipment, or changing weather conditions, hi vis clothing helps improve visibility and awareness on the job.
In this guide, we’ll explain what hi vis clothing is, how it works, the different ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 classes and types, approved hi vis colors, and which workers are most likely to need it.
What to Know About Hi Vis Clothing
- Hi vis clothing helps workers stay seen around traffic, equipment, and changing light conditions.
- It uses fluorescent background materials for daytime visibility and reflective materials for low-light and nighttime visibility.
- ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 divides hi vis apparel into different types and performance classes.
- The right garment depends on the jobsite, hazards, and work environment.
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What is hi vis clothing?
Hi vis clothing is a category of safety apparel designed to make the wearer easier to see. It is commonly used on construction sites, road crews, warehouses, utility jobs, and other environments where workers need to remain visible around moving vehicles, equipment, or active worksites.
Common examples of hi vis clothing include safety vests, safety shirts, jackets, hoodies, rain gear, and other reflective outerwear. These garments are meant to help workers stand out from the background so drivers, operators, and coworkers can notice them faster.
Hi vis clothing is more than just bright-colored apparel. ANSI-rated high visibility garments are designed with specific background colors, reflective materials, and garment layouts intended to improve visibility in real jobsite conditions.
How does hi vis clothing work?
Hi vis clothing works by combining bright fluorescent materials with reflective trim. During the day, fluorescent fabric helps the garment appear more noticeable in natural light, especially in daylight, dawn, and dusk conditions.
In darker settings, reflective tape helps improve visibility by reflecting light back toward its source, such as vehicle headlights. This makes the worker easier to spot in low-light and nighttime environments.
Together, these features help hi vis clothing perform across different parts of the workday. Fluorescent color supports daytime visibility, while reflective material helps when lighting is poor or visibility drops.
Understanding ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 classes and types
ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 is the main standard used to organize high visibility safety apparel in the United States. It separates hi vis garments by type and performance class.
Hi vis clothing types
Garment types are based on the work environment and the type of hazards the worker may face.
| Type | Typical Environment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Type O | Off-road environments | Usually used where traffic exposure is limited but visibility is still important. |
| Type R | Roadway environments | Common for workers near public traffic, road construction, and roadside hazards. |
| Type P | Public safety environments | Designed for public safety workers who need visibility and access to gear. |
Hi vis clothing classes
Performance classes relate to the amount of visible material on the garment and the overall level of visibility the apparel is designed to provide.
| Class | Visibility Level | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Lowest ANSI visibility level | Often used in lower-risk, off-road work environments. |
| Class 2 | Intermediate visibility level | Common for workers near traffic, equipment, and active jobsites. |
| Class 3 | Highest ANSI visibility level | Often chosen for high-risk work areas and low-light conditions. |
In general, the higher the class, the more visible material and body coverage the garment includes. This is why Class 3 garments are often preferred for more demanding visibility conditions.
To learn more about vest classes, you can also read our guide on the difference between Class 2 vs Class 3 safety vests.
Approved hi vis clothing colors
Approved hi vis clothing colors are designed to stand out in a wide range of work environments. The most common high visibility background colors include fluorescent yellow-green, fluorescent orange-red, and fluorescent red.
- Fluorescent yellow-green: A very common choice for construction, warehouse, utility, and general jobsite apparel.
- Fluorescent orange-red: Frequently used in roadway, traffic control, and work zone environments.
- Fluorescent red: Another approved high visibility option, though less common in many general workwear categories.
Choosing the right color is not just about preference. It should also create strong contrast against the work environment so the wearer stands out clearly.
For a more detailed look at color meaning and use, visit What Each Safety Vest Color Means on the Jobsite.
Who needs to wear hi vis clothing?
Hi vis clothing is commonly worn by workers who need to stay visible around traffic, moving equipment, active worksites, or changing light conditions. This includes many industries and roles where being seen quickly can reduce risk.
- Road construction crews
- Flaggers and traffic control workers
- Utility workers
- Warehouse and yard personnel
- Survey crews
- Airport ground crews
- Emergency and public safety personnel
- Maintenance workers
- Workers around moving equipment
The right hi vis garment depends on where the work is taking place, how close the worker is to traffic or machinery, and what kind of lighting and weather conditions they may face throughout the day.
If you’re shopping by apparel type, explore our hi vis apparel collection, our guide to safety shirts, and our article on hi vis jackets and rain gear.
Final Thoughts
Hi vis clothing plays an important role in helping workers stay seen in hazardous environments. From vests and shirts to jackets and rain gear, the right garment can improve visibility during the day, at night, and in changing weather conditions.
When choosing hi vis apparel, it’s important to consider the jobsite, the level of exposure to traffic or equipment, and the ANSI type and class listed on the garment. Matching the apparel to the hazard is the best way to support safer work conditions.
FAQ
#1. What qualifies as high visibility clothing?
High visibility clothing is safety apparel designed to make the wearer easier to see. It usually combines bright background colors with reflective materials and is often categorized by ANSI type and class.
#2. What does it mean to wear high visibility clothing?
Wearing high visibility clothing means wearing apparel intended to improve how easily others can see you in a hazardous work environment, especially around traffic, equipment, or low-light conditions.
#3. Does high visibility work in daytime and nighttime?
Yes. Fluorescent materials help during the day, while reflective materials help improve visibility in low-light and nighttime settings.
#4. Does OSHA require hi vis clothing?
In some work environments, high visibility clothing may be required based on the hazards present, especially where workers are exposed to traffic or struck-by risks. Employers should review the jobsite hazards and applicable safety requirements when selecting apparel.
#5. Is hi vis clothing only for road crews?
No. While roadway workers are one of the most common examples, hi vis clothing is also used in warehouses, utility work, construction, maintenance, public safety, and many other industries.
#6. What is the difference between hi vis color and reflective tape?
Hi vis color helps the garment stand out in daylight, while reflective tape helps it stand out when light hits it in darker or low-light conditions. Both features work together to improve visibility across different environments.