Metlon Corporation, a Rhode Island-based distributor of reflective roll goods, including ANSI/ISEA-compliant reflective material, is revved up to respond to the Federal Highway Administration’s mandated standards for high visibility safety apparel, scheduled to take effect November 24, 2008, according to a recent company press release. As one of only three nationally Authorized Distributors of 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material, Metlon says it stocks nearly every reflective item used in the manufacturing of high-visibility safety apparel including vests, jackets, and t-shirts. They’ve added ten percent to inventory anticipating the crunch, particularly the required Class 2 and Class 3 items.

“Not only do we provide the ANSI/ISEA 107 and 207 certified reflective materials to meet the new standards, we are also uniquely prepared to help those who must provide uniforms, and aren’t sure about how to comply. It can be challenging and confusing,” comments Wayne Etchells, vice president of Metlon Corp. Our Web site provides answers to FAQs, but we’ve been working with reflective materials for years, and can assist them in ramping up quickly.”

According to the release, the purpose of the new safety regulation is to decrease the likelihood of worker fatalities or injuries caused by motor vehicles, construction vehicles and equipment due to the inability of the operator to easily see the workers and/or public response personnel while working in the right-of-way on Federal-aid highways. The November 24 deadline demands that states and other agencies comply with Federal Rule 23 CFR 634, which calls for ANSI/ISEA-compliant traffic vests for emergency responders.

“The work zone and speed of traffic determine the requirement of ANSI Class 1, 2 or 3. The regulations specify the amount and placement of reflective material on the apparel,” according to Etchells. “In fact, women (or very thin men) may have more difficulty with compliance merely because their uniforms use less material; therefore, there is too little of the background material, which is also required for compliance. As always, there is some controversy surrounding any mandate.”

For a complete listing of materials, including technical and ANSI/ISEA information, please refer to Metlon’s Web site atwww.metlon.com. Data sheets are available online and by calling (401) 467-3435.