The construction industry is on the verge of risk and danger, in this case, the workers need to ensure their safety while on the job. This is where - Safety vests come into play! 
Safety vests are essential to most construction sites, whether it’s a highway job or an industrial facility, workers will always need them to keep themselves safe. It's obvious that: safety vests protect workers from the environment, and other activities may put them in danger. Whether it’s a workplace hazard or a natural phenomenon like bad weather, these vests can adequately protect workers.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), “High-visibility safety apparel, including vests, can reduce the risk of workers being struck by vehicles by up to 55%. Well, that’s a vast number, proving that safety vests are essential for any job site.” This blog post will give details about the standard of safety vests and why they are crucial. So let's dive in!

Safety vests: what are they | a basic overview

Safety vests are garments worn to protect construction workers from potential hazards they may face while on the job. These vests are made of highly visible fabric and come in various colors, including orange, yellow, red, and green, etc. The most common vests are bright orange or yellow, which can be seen even in low-light conditions.
Vests come with reflective strips that help construction workers be visible from a long distance. Not only construction workers used this, but road managers, bikers, traffic police, surveyors, and workers working in dim light conditions use safety vests to be visible and protected.  
In road accidents, the destruction of property is a minor hazard compared to injury or death, and in a nutshell, it can be said that safety vests have saved many lives. We can say that Using safety vests is not a choice but an obligation.

Standards of safety vests and why they are important

Safety vests come with standards and are not just randomly produced? There is a certain standard of quality to ensure the safety of the workers. There is a misconception that all safety vests are the same, but a certain standard must be followed.

The ANSI/ISEA standard:

The American National Standards Institute and the International Safety Equipment Association (ANSI and ISEA) established the standards for hi-vis. The US Standard for high-visibility garments regulates the design and performance criteria for safety vests. 

Don’t Forget:

The ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 is the voluntary standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear. This regulation ensures that workers' safety vests meet specific criteria to keep them safe from any potential hazards on the job site.
The ANSI/ISEA 107 standard categorizes apparel into three performance levels and identifies types of clothing based on the work activities and the environment they are intended for. 

①Type O:

When it comes to safety vests, there are different types made for specific purposes. One of these types is the Type O safety vest, which is designed for non-roadway occupational use. Type O safety vests are perfect for those working in areas with no vehicle traffic. 
However, it's important to note that Type O vests only come in Class 1 safety vests. This means they are unsuitable for use in high-risk situations, such as heavy machinery or construction sites. So if you work in a non-roadway occupational environment, investing in a Type O safety vest is a must-have to protect yourself.

②Type R:

If you're working on the roads, you need a specific type of safety vest to ensure you're easily visible to passing vehicles. That's where Type R safety vests come in. These vests are specially designed for those in roadway occupations and are available in both class 2 and class 3 versions. Class 2 vests provide moderate visibility and are ideal for use in areas with 25 mph or fewer traffic speeds. 
However, if you'll be working in areas where cars are moving faster, the high-visibility class 3 vest is a must-have. No matter which one you choose, a Type R safety vest is an essential piece of gear that keeps you safe while on the job.

③Type P:

Attention all safety enthusiasts! Have you ever wondered what types of safety vests exist? Well, allow us to introduce you to Type P safety vests! These are specifically designed for our heroic law enforcement and first responders, available in both class 2 and class 3. 
Whether directing traffic or responding to an emergency, Type P safety vests have your back. With their bright colors and reflective materials, you can be sure they will keep you visible and safe. 
So, the next time you witness our brave men and women in uniform, give them a nod for their Type P safety vests and unwavering commitment to keeping us all secure.

What are the differences between safety vest classes?

As we all know: Safety is the number one priority when working on a construction site or any type of roadway. That's Why, it's essential to understand the different classes of safety vests available for you to purchase. We have developed a differential description for a more knowledgeable approach.

①Class 1 Safety Vest:
According to OSHA, Class 1 vests are meant for individuals working in low-impact areas where traffic flow does not exceed 25 mph. 
Additionally, Workers should be stationed safely from the traffic to avoid injury. Some workers who use Class 1 vests include roadside assistance personnel, delivery drivers, and parking attendants in areas with less traffic.
Requirements: Please remember that all class 1 vest must have at least 155 square inches of reflective tape. The reflective tape can be 6.46 linear feet of 2-inch tape or 9.39 linear feet of 1 3/8-inch tape. 
To ensure proper visibility, the vest must have reflective stripes that form a 360º stripe around the middle and above each shoulder. In addition, the vest should preferably be brightly colored in yellow or orange.

②Class 2 Safety Vest:
Workers who work near heavy traffic and in low visibility areas must wear class 2 safety vests. In these areas, weather conditions may reduce visibility, and traffic flow may exceed 25 mph. 
However, Workers should be a safe distance away from the traffic. Airline workers, high-volume parking or toll booth attendants, and forest workers typically wear class 2 safety vests.
Requirements: To meet the requirement, Class 2 vests must have at least 201 square inches of reflective tape. Two options are available for the reflective tape: 8.373 linear feet of 2-inch tape or 12.2 linear feet of 1 3/8-inch tape. 
The reflective stripes should form horizontal stripes around the middle and over the shoulders, either in one or two 360º stripes.

③Class 3 Safety Vest:
Class 3 vests are specifically designated for individuals who work near high-traffic zones, such as emergency responders, site inspectors, railway employees, and utility crews. The traffic in these regions can be around or over 50 mph. 
Keep in mind, workers operating next to the road or other dangerous locations must remain highly visible to avoid any risk of injury.
Requirements: According to regulations, the vests need at least 310 square inches of reflective tape that is 12.92 linear feet long and 2 inches wide. 
This is necessary to create a full silhouette of the worker and ensure they are visible to approaching vehicles. The reflective tape should also be on the arms and legs, which is more than needed for Class 1 and Class 2 safety vests.

The importance of wearing the right safety vest

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a total of 1,194 occupational injuries resulted in fatalities in 2020 due to transportation incidents. Out of these, 662 deaths occurred explicitly due to transportation incidents on the roadway. The importance of wearing the proper safety vest can never be underestimated. 
Wearing a visible and certified vest for your job will help you stay safe and protected in the workplace. It is essential to prioritize your safety at all times. Therefore, buying a safety vest that is comfortable and fully meets the necessary job requirements is crucial.
We know searching for a trusted and reliable supplier for safety vests can be daunting. But you don’t have to worry anymore, as INSHINING is here to provide you with the best quality safety vests at competitive prices. We go above and beyond to ensure that each product you buy from us is of superior quality and meets all the requirements. We are also ISO-certified to provide you with absolute peace of mind regarding safety.

The construction industry is on the verge of risk and danger, in this case, the workers need to ensure their safety while on the job. This is where - Safety vests come into play! 
Safety vests are essential to most construction sites, whether it’s a highway job or an industrial facility, workers will always need them to keep themselves safe. It's obvious that: safety vests protect workers from the environment, and other activities may put them in danger. Whether it’s a workplace hazard or a natural phenomenon like bad weather, these vests can adequately protect workers.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), “High-visibility safety apparel, including vests, can reduce the risk of workers being struck by vehicles by up to 55%. Well, that’s a vast number, proving that safety vests are essential for any job site.” This blog post will give details about the standard of safety vests and why they are crucial. So let's dive in!

Safety vests: what are they | a basic overview

Safety vests are garments worn to protect construction workers from potential hazards they may face while on the job. These vests are made of highly visible fabric and come in various colors, including orange, yellow, red, and green, etc. The most common vests are bright orange or yellow, which can be seen even in low-light conditions.
Vests come with reflective strips that help construction workers be visible from a long distance. Not only construction workers used this, but road managers, bikers, traffic police, surveyors, and workers working in dim light conditions use safety vests to be visible and protected.  
In road accidents, the destruction of property is a minor hazard compared to injury or death, and in a nutshell, it can be said that safety vests have saved many lives. We can say that Using safety vests is not a choice but an obligation.

Standards of safety vests and why they are important

Safety vests come with standards and are not just randomly produced? There is a certain standard of quality to ensure the safety of the workers. There is a misconception that all safety vests are the same, but a certain standard must be followed.

The ANSI/ISEA standard:

The American National Standards Institute and the International Safety Equipment Association (ANSI and ISEA) established the standards for hi-vis. The US Standard for high-visibility garments regulates the design and performance criteria for safety vests. 

Don’t Forget:

The ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 is the voluntary standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear. This regulation ensures that workers' safety vests meet specific criteria to keep them safe from any potential hazards on the job site.
The ANSI/ISEA 107 standard categorizes apparel into three performance levels and identifies types of clothing based on the work activities and the environment they are intended for. 

①Type O:

When it comes to safety vests, there are different types made for specific purposes. One of these types is the Type O safety vest, which is designed for non-roadway occupational use. Type O safety vests are perfect for those working in areas with no vehicle traffic. 
However, it's important to note that Type O vests only come in Class 1 safety vests. This means they are unsuitable for use in high-risk situations, such as heavy machinery or construction sites. So if you work in a non-roadway occupational environment, investing in a Type O safety vest is a must-have to protect yourself.

②Type R:

If you're working on the roads, you need a specific type of safety vest to ensure you're easily visible to passing vehicles. That's where Type R safety vests come in. These vests are specially designed for those in roadway occupations and are available in both class 2 and class 3 versions. Class 2 vests provide moderate visibility and are ideal for use in areas with 25 mph or fewer traffic speeds. 
However, if you'll be working in areas where cars are moving faster, the high-visibility class 3 vest is a must-have. No matter which one you choose, a Type R safety vest is an essential piece of gear that keeps you safe while on the job.

③Type P:

Attention all safety enthusiasts! Have you ever wondered what types of safety vests exist? Well, allow us to introduce you to Type P safety vests! These are specifically designed for our heroic law enforcement and first responders, available in both class 2 and class 3. 
Whether directing traffic or responding to an emergency, Type P safety vests have your back. With their bright colors and reflective materials, you can be sure they will keep you visible and safe. 
So, the next time you witness our brave men and women in uniform, give them a nod for their Type P safety vests and unwavering commitment to keeping us all secure.

What are the differences between safety vest classes?

As we all know: Safety is the number one priority when working on a construction site or any type of roadway. That's Why, it's essential to understand the different classes of safety vests available for you to purchase. We have developed a differential description for a more knowledgeable approach.

①Class 1 Safety Vest:
According to OSHA, Class 1 vests are meant for individuals working in low-impact areas where traffic flow does not exceed 25 mph. 
Additionally, Workers should be stationed safely from the traffic to avoid injury. Some workers who use Class 1 vests include roadside assistance personnel, delivery drivers, and parking attendants in areas with less traffic.
Requirements: Please remember that all class 1 vest must have at least 155 square inches of reflective tape. The reflective tape can be 6.46 linear feet of 2-inch tape or 9.39 linear feet of 1 3/8-inch tape. 
To ensure proper visibility, the vest must have reflective stripes that form a 360º stripe around the middle and above each shoulder. In addition, the vest should preferably be brightly colored in yellow or orange.

②Class 2 Safety Vest:
Workers who work near heavy traffic and in low visibility areas must wear class 2 safety vests. In these areas, weather conditions may reduce visibility, and traffic flow may exceed 25 mph. 
However, Workers should be a safe distance away from the traffic. Airline workers, high-volume parking or toll booth attendants, and forest workers typically wear class 2 safety vests.
Requirements: To meet the requirement, Class 2 vests must have at least 201 square inches of reflective tape. Two options are available for the reflective tape: 8.373 linear feet of 2-inch tape or 12.2 linear feet of 1 3/8-inch tape. 
The reflective stripes should form horizontal stripes around the middle and over the shoulders, either in one or two 360º stripes.

③Class 3 Safety Vest:
Class 3 vests are specifically designated for individuals who work near high-traffic zones, such as emergency responders, site inspectors, railway employees, and utility crews. The traffic in these regions can be around or over 50 mph. 
Keep in mind, workers operating next to the road or other dangerous locations must remain highly visible to avoid any risk of injury.
Requirements: According to regulations, the vests need at least 310 square inches of reflective tape that is 12.92 linear feet long and 2 inches wide. 
This is necessary to create a full silhouette of the worker and ensure they are visible to approaching vehicles. The reflective tape should also be on the arms and legs, which is more than needed for Class 1 and Class 2 safety vests.

The importance of wearing the right safety vest

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a total of 1,194 occupational injuries resulted in fatalities in 2020 due to transportation incidents. Out of these, 662 deaths occurred explicitly due to transportation incidents on the roadway. The importance of wearing the proper safety vest can never be underestimated. 
Wearing a visible and certified vest for your job will help you stay safe and protected in the workplace. It is essential to prioritize your safety at all times. Therefore, buying a safety vest that is comfortable and fully meets the necessary job requirements is crucial.
We know searching for a trusted and reliable supplier for safety vests can be daunting. But you don’t have to worry anymore, as INSHINING is here to provide you with the best quality safety vests at competitive prices. We go above and beyond to ensure that each product you buy from us is of superior quality and meets all the requirements. We are also ISO-certified to provide you with absolute peace of mind regarding safety.