Class 2 Safety Vests

A Class 2 safety vest is a high-visibility garment designed for workers exposed to traffic over 25 mph or complex jobsite backgrounds. Made with bright fluorescent colors and 2" reflective tape, Class 2 hi-vis vests enhance 360° visibility for construction crews, utility workers, and road flaggers. These ANSI/ISEA 107-compliant vests offer more reflective coverage than Class 1, making them ideal for daytime and low-light conditions where maximum visibility is critical for safety.

To clean your hi-vis safety vest, always check the care label first. Most high-visibility vests can be machine washed in cold water on a gentle cycle using mild detergent. Avoid bleach or fabric softeners, as they can damage the reflective tape. Air dry your vest to maintain ANSI compliance and preserve long-lasting visibility and durability. For more details, read our blog posts on Can I Wash My Safety Vest? and How to Clean Reflective Clothing.

OSHA requires that workers exposed to vehicular traffic, flagging operations, highway work zones, or excavation near public roads wear high-visibility or reflectorized warning garments (29 CFR 1926.201) — typically vests in fluorescent colors with retro-reflective tape. For flaggers, OSHA specifies red or orange warning apparel and reflectorized material for night work. Under the General Duty Clause, employers must ensure worker visibility in traffic zones, which effectively means using vests that meet the ANSI/ISEA 107 standard. See OSHA's full guidance here: OSHA Standard Interpretation (Mar 11, 2002).

To add your logo to a hi-vis safety vest, you can request custom screen printing through our in-house customization services at KwikSafety. We offer fast, professional logo placement on a wide range of ANSI-compliant safety apparel, helping your team stay safe and branded on the job. To get started, fill out our Customization Request Form and check out our Customization Gallery to see past examples of our work!
Note: Embroidery is not available for safety vests.

The difference lies in the amount of reflective material and background fabric used:

• Class 1: Minimal coverage. For low-risk areas like warehouse traffic.
• Class 2: More visibility for road crews, surveyors, and utility workers.
• Class 3: Highest visibility with sleeves and extra reflectivity for high-speed or low-light zones.

The higher the class, the more visibility the vest provides based on ANSI/ISEA 107 standards.

A garment labeled ANSI Class 2 means it meets visibility requirements for workers exposed to moderate traffic (over 25 mph) or complex jobsite backgrounds. Class 2 vests must feature a specific amount of fluorescent background fabric and 2" reflective tape placed for 360° visibility. They are common on construction, utility, and survey job sites.

Not all ANSI Class 2 vests are fire retardant. To be flame-resistant, a vest must also comply with ASTM or NFPA standards such as ASTM F1506 or NFPA 2112. If you need FR protection in addition to visibility, look for vests specifically labeled FR or AR (Arc-Rated) and ensure they meet both ANSI/ISEA 107 and flame-resistance requirements.