Understanding ANSI/ISEA 107-2020: High-Visibility Safety Standards Explained
When workers step onto construction sites, highway maintenance zones, or industrial facilities, their visibility can literally be a matter of life and death. The ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 standard serves as the cornerstone of high-visibility safety apparel requirements in the United States, establishing critical specifications that help protect workers in hazardous environments.
Whether you’re selecting safety vests, jackets, or full-body garments, understanding ANSI 107-2020 ensures you’re choosing compliant, performance-rated high-visibility apparel that meets real-world safety demands.
What is ANSI/ISEA 107-2020?
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) jointly publish ANSI/ISEA 107, which defines design, performance, and certification requirements for high-visibility safety apparel.
The 2020 edition refined earlier requirements to improve worker protection in environments involving:
- Vehicular traffic
- Heavy equipment
- Complex visual backgrounds
- Low-light or nighttime conditions
The purpose of the standard is simple but critical: ensure workers are seen clearly and quickly by vehicle operators and equipment operators to prevent accidents.
Key Components of ANSI/ISEA 107-2020
Background (Fluorescent) Material
Fluorescent background material enhances daytime visibility. The standard specifies minimum quantities of approved colors:
- Fluorescent Yellow-Green
- Fluorescent Orange-Red
- Fluorescent Red
These colors are selected because they contrast strongly against typical jobsite backgrounds and are highly detectable by the human eye in daylight conditions.
Retroreflective Material
Retroreflective material improves nighttime and low-light visibility by reflecting light directly back to its source, such as vehicle headlights.
ANSI 107-2020 specifies minimum photometric performance requirements, measured in candelas per lux per square meter, to ensure consistent reflectivity.
Combined-Performance Materials
The 2020 revision allows for combined-performance materials that provide both fluorescent and retroreflective properties in a single material system. This gives manufacturers greater flexibility in garment design while maintaining required visibility performance.
Performance Classes: Class 1, 2, and 3
ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 categorizes garments into three performance classes based on the amount and configuration of visible materials.
Class 1 – Minimum Visibility (Off-Road Use)
Designed for workers in environments with minimal traffic hazards.
Typical applications:
- Parking attendants
- Warehouse workers
- Cart retrievers
- Workers near traffic under 25 mph
Minimum material requirements:
- 155 sq. in. of background material
- 100 sq. in. of retroreflective material
Class 2 – Intermediate Visibility (Greater Hazard)
For workers exposed to traffic between 25–50 mph or more complex backgrounds.
Typical applications:
- Railway workers
- Utility crews
- Surveyors
- School crossing guards
- Airport ground crews
- Toll personnel
Minimum material requirements:
- 775 sq. in. of background material
- 201 sq. in. of retroreflective material
Class 3 – Maximum Visibility
Required for workers exposed to high-speed traffic or who must be visible through full body movement.
Typical applications:
- Highway construction
- Emergency responders
- Flaggers
- Roadway maintenance crews
- Tow truck operators
Minimum material requirements:
- 1,240 sq. in. of background material
- 310 sq. in. of retroreflective material
Class 3 garments must provide full 360-degree visibility, including sleeves with both background and retroreflective materials.
Garment Types: O, R, and P
ANSI 107-2020 also classifies garments by work environment type.
Type O (Off-Road)
- For non-roadway environments
- Meets Class 1 or 2 requirements
- Includes vests and minimal coverage garments
Type R (Roadway)
- For workers exposed to traffic exceeding 25 mph
- More stringent placement and performance requirements
Type P (Public Safety)
- Designed for emergency responders
- Allows greater design flexibility
- Compatible with tactical gear and breakaway features
Critical Design and Configuration Requirements
ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 goes beyond material quantities and includes strict design rules.
360-Degree Visibility
Garments must be visible from all horizontal angles.
Human Form Recognition
Retroreflective bands must outline the human form, helping observers distinguish a worker from reflective objects.
Band Width
Retroreflective trim typically must be at least 2 inches wide.
Contrast Requirements
Combined-performance materials must maintain sufficient visual contrast between fluorescent and retroreflective components.
Compliance and Certification
To meet ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 requirements, manufacturers must:
- Conduct photometric testing
- Verify minimum material areas
- Ensure correct placement and configuration
- Maintain quality control processes
Compliant garments include sewn-in labels that specify:
- Performance Class
- Type designation (O, R, or P)
- Standard year (107-2020)
- Manufacturer information
- Care instructions
Employers should verify these labels when purchasing high-visibility safety apparel and train workers on proper maintenance to preserve garment performance.
The Bottom Line
Choosing high-visibility apparel should never be guesswork. Understanding ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 ensures you select garments that match the actual hazard level of your work environment.
Always:
- Match the garment Class to traffic speed and exposure
- Select the correct Type (O, R, or P)
- Verify labeling and certification
- Train workers on proper wear and maintenance
When it comes to worker visibility, compliance isn’t optional—it’s lifesaving.
The right high-visibility safety apparel doesn’t just meet a standard. It helps ensure every worker goes home safely.
