Originally published five years ago by the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) as ANSI/ISEA 107-1999, the standard is designed to protect workers against hazards of low visibility and to enhance the visibility of workers who are exposed to struck-by hazards.

The standard provides a uniform, authoritative guide for the design, performance specifications and use of high-visibility and reflective apparel including vests, jackets, bib/jumpsuit coveralls, trousers and harnesses. Garments that meet this standard provide users with a high level of conspicuity through the use of combined fluorescent and retroreflective materials.

The revised version of the standard expands the product coverage to include high-visibility headwear. It also contains additional testing procedures for knitted fabrics used as background material and eliminates tests from the previous edition that added no value. User guidance has been expanded to provide occupational scenarios and recommended Performance Classes and additional examples of garment design. Appendixes now include standard test reports and a compliance certificate.

"The revision doesn't change the basic requirements of the standard such as garment dimensions, color or retroreflective performance, with the exception of clearly prohibiting any kind of sleeveless garment to be labeled Class 3 when worn alone," says ISEA Technical Director Janice Bradley. "The standard has been expanded to keep up with the state-of-the-art in fabrics technology and design, and now provides users with documentation that a garment meets all the requirements of the standard."