Requirements for Traffic Safety Vests at Night by OSHA

This is according to the OSHA “Work Zone Hazards Workbook,” which lists a number of injuries and deaths that come from automobiles impacting employees. Motorized equipment belonging to the crew is involved in certain mishaps. Workers in construction zones should follow OSHA’s “Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices,” or MUTCD, which provides detailed instructions for crews and lists the types of gear, such as nighttime traffic control safety vests and safety vests with pockets, that they should wear for both function and protection.

Precautionary Principles

Employees at risk of injury from traffic or equipment must wear high-visibility traffic control safety vests that meet or exceed ANSI 107 requirements. Vests can be class one or two, depending on the level of danger that the employees confront; vests are not included in the definition of class three clothing, which is more protective. OSHA delegated the task of determining the proper work attire to an employer-designated expert. Employers are required to assign at least one of these individuals to each work location. The individual must be able to detect both existing and potential threats and must be permitted to take corrective steps.

Requirements of ANSI 107

To be in compliance with ANSI 107, safety vests must be highly visible and reflective, according to OSHA’s MUTCD. Even in poor light and adverse weather, others must be able to view the clothing from all sides. Wearing a Class 1 safety vest indicates that the worker is able to focus solely on vehicles approaching at speeds of less than 25 mph.

A suitable amount of traffic separation must be maintained between the worker and the traffic in front of him or her. Workers should wear class two vests if the speed of traffic is higher than 25 mph but less than 50 mph, or if the background is more complicated. Additionally, those who must operate in or near locations with moving traffic or who cannot dedicate their whole attention to the flow of traffic should take this course.

Colors of Vests That Are Allowed

Material that is orange, white, yellow, brilliant yellow-green, or silver must be used to make night-time reflective vests. Colors in fluorescent tones are OK. A minimum of 1,000 feet of visibility is required for the vest. A person’s safety apparel must allow others to realize that they are viewing a person, and it must stay visible despite the wearer’s bodily movements.

Lighting Standards for Reflective Trim.

The rules also specify how much and where reflective trim should be used on safety vests. Class one vests must have either reflective or fluorescent trim that is at least one inch broad, or at least two inches wide if both are reflective. Trim that is 1.372 inches wide or longer must have a minimum of 2.15 yards of 2-inch trim, while trim that is just one inch wide must have a minimum of 4.3 yards. For Class 2 vests, 2.8 yards of 2-inch reflective trim or 4 yards of 1.375-inch reflective trim is required.

At least two inches from the bottom of the vest, one or more bands of trim should appear and completely encircle the garment. The front and back shoulder portions must have at least 23.25 square inches of reflective trim. Each band must be at least 2 inches apart if more than one is utilized.