What Class of Hi-Vis Do I Need?

Your complete guide to ANSI/ISEA 107 high-visibility classifications — and how to choose the right gear for your worksite. - Download Document

Why Hi-Vis Classification Matters

If you work near traffic, heavy machinery, or in low-light conditions, high-visibility (hi-vis) clothing isn't just a good idea, in many cases, it's the law. The ANSI/ISEA 107 standard defines specific classes of high-visibility safety apparel, and OSHA references this standard in its requirements for workers in roadway environments. Choosing the wrong class for your job exposes workers to real risk and could put your company out of compliance.

The good news: once you understand the system, choosing the right class is straightforward. This guide breaks down every ANSI hi-vis class, the jobs that require them, and the best gear to get the job done.

Understanding the ANSI/ISEA 107 Standard

The ANSI/ISEA 107 standard is the American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Accessories. It was developed to ensure workers are visible under a wide range of conditions — daytime, nighttime, and everything in between. The standard classifies hi-vis clothing based on two things:

Background (fluorescent) material: the brightly colored fabric that makes you visible in daylight
Retroreflective tape: the reflective striping that bounces light back at night or in low visibility

Each class sets a minimum square-inch requirement for both materials. Higher classes = more material = more visibility = higher-risk environments.

ANSI Hi-Vis Classes at a Glance

Use this table to quickly compare the four ANSI classification levels:

ANSI Class	Risk Level / Use Case	Min. Background Material	Retroreflective Tape
Class 1	Low-risk areas, slow-moving traffic (<25 mph)	217 sq in	Not required
Class 2	Moderate risk, near traffic or equipment	775 sq in	Required
Class 3	High risk, high-speed roads / heavy equipment	1,240 sq in	Required
Class E	Lower body (pants/bibs), used with Class 2 or 3	Varies	Required

Class 1: Entry-Level Visibility

⚠️ Best for: Parking lot attendants, warehouse workers, sidewalk workers away from vehicle traffic

Class 1 is the minimum level of hi-vis protection. It requires at least 217 square inches of fluorescent background material. Retroreflective tape is not required, though it is commonly included.

Class 1 is appropriate where workers are separated from traffic traveling under 25 mph and there are no complex or distracting backgrounds (like urban environments). Think: grocery store parking lot, a warehouse receiving dock, or a campground.

Shop Class 1 hi-vis on SafetySmartGear.com: Enhanced Visibility Vests | Enhanced Visibility T-Shirts | Enhanced Visibility Jackets

Class 2: The Most Common Worksite Standard

⚠️ Best for: Highway construction workers, utility crews, road survey teams, school crossing guards, airport ground crews

Class 2 is the most widely used hi-vis classification and is required by OSHA for most roadway work environments. It requires at least 775 square inches of fluorescent background material AND retroreflective tape arranged in horizontal or vertical bands.

If your workers are near traffic traveling over 25 mph, or working in complex visual environments (busy intersections, urban worksites), Class 2 is the minimum required. It covers a wide range of garment types — from simple safety vests to full jackets, hoodies, and t-shirts.

Popular Class 2 Products at Safety Smart Gear:

ANSI Class 2 Safety Vests: Lightweight mesh or solid styles for all-day comfort
Class 2 T-Shirts: Breathable and ANSI-compliant; great for summer crews
Class 2 Hoodies: Ideal for cooler mornings or fall jobsites
Class 2 Sweatshirts: Warm mid-layer options with full ANSI compliance

Class 3: Maximum Visibility for High-Risk Jobs

⚠️ Best for: Highway workers, emergency responders, utility linemen, tow truck operators, flaggers on high-speed roads

Class 3 provides the highest level of hi-vis protection. Garments must have at least 1,240 square inches of fluorescent material and retroreflective tape that covers the torso, arms, and legs to ensure the worker is visible from multiple angles. Class 3 garments are often required when a worker's body position may obscure a vest, for example, when bending, crouching, or operating equipment.

Many DOT and state highway department contracts mandate Class 3 for all workers in active travel lanes. When in doubt on high-speed corridors, choose Class 3.

Popular Class 3 Products at Safety Smart Gear:

ANSI Class 3 Safety Vests: Full-coverage torso visibility with arm reflectives
Class 3 T-Shirts: Lightweight compliance for warm-weather road crews
Class 3 Rain Jackets: Waterproof protection without sacrificing visibility
Class 3 Hoodies: A cold-weather must for nighttime road work
Class 3 Sweatshirts: Fleece warmth with full ANSI Class 3 compliance

Class E: Lower Body Visibility

ℹ️ Note: Class E pants or bibs worn with a Class 2 vest = a compliant Class 3 ensemble for many applications.

Class E refers specifically to high-visibility lower-body garments — pants, shorts, and bibs. They aren't worn alone, but when combined with a Class 2 or Class 3 garment, they form a fully compliant high-visibility ensemble. This is an important option for workers on heavy equipment where just a vest may not provide sufficient visibility.

Browse Class E options: Hi-Vis Pants | Hi-Vis Bibs & Overalls | Class E Rain Pants & Bibs

Don't Forget: Type R vs. Type P

Beyond classes, ANSI 107 also defines Types:

Type R (Roadway): The standard for most highway and construction environments. Most of the products above are Type R.
Type P (Public Safety): Designed for police, fire, and EMS responders with a design that accommodates weapons, badges, and tactical gear.

Shop our Public Safety Vests for Type P options.

Quick Reference: Which Class Do I Need?

Not sure where your job fits? Use this simple decision guide:

Working in a warehouse, parking lot, or away from traffic? → Class 1 or Enhanced Visibility
Near roads with traffic up to 45 mph or in complex backgrounds? → Class 2
Working in active highway travel lanes or high-speed roads? → Class 3
Police, fire, or EMS? → Type P (Class 2 or 3)
Need full-body coverage or work on equipment? → Add Class E lower body to your Class 2 or 3 top
Working in wet, cold, or FR environments? → Shop our Hi-Vis Rain Gear or FR Hi-Vis Clothing

Final garment choice should be based on your work environment and applicable ANSI/ISEA 107 requirements.

Shop All Hi-Vis at Safety Smart Gear

Safety Smart Gear carries a comprehensive selection of ANSI-compliant hi-vis clothing from top brands including OccuNomix, Tingley, Kishigo, Portwest, and Frogwear. Whether you need a single replacement vest or outfitting an entire crew, we offer bulk pricing and expert support to help you meet and exceed your safety requirements.

Browse All High Visibility Clothing →

Have questions about which class is right for your team? Call us at (508) 248-3141 or visit our Customer Support page - our team of safety experts is ready to help.

Apr 23rd 2026 SSG