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UPDATED ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 HIGH-VISIBILITY SAFETY APPAREL |
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved a new edition of the ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 standard. This standard provides guidelines for the selection and use of high-visibility safety apparel (HVSA) such as shirts, rainwear, outerwear and safety vests to help improve worker visibility during the day, in low-light conditions, and at night.
Same Categorization
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Type O |
Type R Roadway Use (Class 2 & Class 3) Enhanced visibility for workers who are on or near a public access roadway. |
Type P Public Safety (Class 2 & Class 3) Enhanced visibility for emergency and incident responders and law enforcement personnel in both roadway and off-road environments. |
What has changed?
NO MORE CRITERIA FOR HI-VIS ACCESSORIES
Unlike previous versions of the ANSI 107 standard, the updated standard does not include criteria for the category of optional hi-vis accessories. Workers are still encouraged to wear hi- vis accessories on the job due to their ability to increase worker’s “biomotion.” Biomotion, is the movement of a worker in hi-vis apparel that indicates to others their biological existence in the work area.
ADDITIONAL 360° REFLECTIVE VISIBILITY AND TORSO CRITERIA
Under the updated standard, each type and performance class have further clarification on the width requirements for retroflective and background material around a workers torso. Because of this, “torso” has also been clearly defined under the new standard as,“the trunk of the body extending from the underarm to the hip area.”
NO MORE MAX WASH CYCLES ON CARE LABELS
Previously maximum wash cycles were included on the care label of a hi-vis garment to better establish the lifespan of the garments reflective tape. The updated ANSI 107 standard no longer requires the maximum wash cycle printed on a garments care label. This was done to avoid confusion regarding the depreciation and wear of the apparel in general that could necessitate earlier retirement of the garment.
NEW TESTING REQUIREMENTS FOR SEGMENTED REFLECTIVE TAPE
Due to the increased popularity of segmented and perforated retroflective, the updated ANSI 107 standard includes additional testing requirements for the retroflectivity of the background material used on these types of garments. This was updated to prevent manufacturers from overstating the brightness of the tape.
ANSI-107 TAG REQUIREMENTS
Changes to product tags will be minimal. The year 2020 will take the place of 2015 to recognize the update of the standard. The same pictogram showing the garment Type and Class of performance for the retroreflective material will remain constant. A universal pictogram can be used or a pictogram that represents the garment being labeled. If garment is not flame resistant, the label must include the statement: “This garment is not flame resistant as defined by ANSI/ISEA 107-2020.”
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New (ANSI 107-2020)
FAQ’s
Are there other differences between the ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 and ANSI/ ISEA 107-2020 standards?
Yes. There are additional differences between the 2015 and 2020 editions of this standard. See the companion document, “Highlights of ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 What’s Changing,” talk with a PIP® Sales Representative, or obtain a copy of the new standard at www. safetyequipment.org for additional information.
Does this edition of the standard replace the 2015 edition?
ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 replaces the ANSI/ ISEA 107-2015 version as the current version of the standard.
Will the type and classification of a hi- vis garment change under the updated standard?
No
NoI have only found larger-sized garments that meet the standard. I have smaller workers that need appropriately fitting garments to work safely. Is this being addressed?
Type R “roadway” Class 2 and Class 3 garments have an allowance for a reduced minimum area requirement, but only for the smallest size garment that is offered in a given design. This should allow for better accommodation of garment sizing for smaller workers. More information can be found in Table 1 of the standard.
If a garment passes Type R requirements does it automatically pass Type O and P? Will it need to be labeled with all designations, i.e., Type O, R, and P?
A garment only needs to be marked for the claim the manufacturer is making. Sometimes manufacturers claim conformance to multiple standards or requirements and can include separate conforming labels as an indication.
Are “biomotion” design concepts integrated into standard requirements?
Garments with sleeves or pant legs are required to include high-visibility materials in these key areas, because they have been shown in multiple scientific studies to be particularly effective in enhancing conspicuity.