High-Visibility and Reflective Clothing

Talking points

1. ANSI 107 defines three classes of high-visibility garments. Class 2 is standard for most construction sites. ANSI 107's selection guidance points to Class 3 for roadway work and low-light conditions, and many road owners write it into the contract.
2. High-vis garments work through two mechanisms: fluorescent fabric for daytime visibility and retroreflective strips for nighttime visibility. Both must be maintained.
3. Faded fluorescent fabric loses its effectiveness. If your vest has turned from bright yellow-green to a pale or washed-out color, it needs to be replaced.
4. Retroreflective strips must be clean and intact. Dirt, paint, or damage reduces reflectivity significantly — test by shining a flashlight on the strips.
5. High-visibility clothing must be worn as the outermost layer. Wearing a jacket over your vest defeats the purpose.

Ask the crew

Is everyone on the crew wearing the correct class of high-vis for today's work conditions?

Standards this talk is built on

• 29 CFR 1926.201
• ANSI 107

A toolbox talk is a short safety briefing. It supports the training a standard requires; it does not replace it.

Sign-in sheet

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