How much Hi-Vis do you need to show? Hi-Vis Standards - EN ISO 20471 Explained
Hi-Vis workwear is a must for all construction sites. It is essential for keeping workers safe near vehicles and in low lighting conditions. Being able to distinguish a person from their background quickly, in any conditions at any angle considerably reduces the risk of an accident.
Due to the importance of hi-vis, legislation ensures that hi-vis clothing is standardised and provides optimal protection to the wearer. The current legislation is EN ISO 20471.
What is Hi-Vis?
Hi-vis is defined by ISO as – “Warning clothing intended to provide improved conspicuity in situations where the risk of not being seen is high.” It is a warning signal to those nearby that a person is present.
There are nuances that relate to hi-vis, it isn’t as simple as wearing a hi-vis waistcoat. There are different levels of hi-vis classes that need to worn depending on the job and setting.
Hi-Vis Regulations
The High Visibility Clothing- Test methods and requirement EN ISO 20471:2013 is the international standards for safety testing methods of hi vis workwear to be used in high-risk working environments. This has replaced EN 471:2003 A1:2007.
Hi-Vis must be CE-marked to comply with the EN ISO 20471:2013. From 1st of January 2023 all PPE sold in UK must bear the new UKCA mark. Under this directive, it is the responsibility of the wearer to ensure they meet the regulations by wearing the garments correctly, rather than the garments. These standards set a minimum area on view of high visibility fabric on the wearer from all sides when the garment is worn. Find out more about selecting suitable hi-vis clothing on the Health and Safety Executive website.
The key questions users should ask when selecting hi-vis clothing are:
- Is it suitable for the risk?
- Is it suitable for the person?
- Is it suitable for the job?
- Is it compatible with other forms of PPE?
- Are there any standards which the clothing should meet?
The user driven standards include keeping hi-vis clothing clean and ensuring that the hi-vis is fully visible. This can mean not tucking hi vis trousers into boots, wearing hi-vis vests done up, not wearing a jacket over a hi-vis vest. As all of these things minimise the fluorescents on display.
Hi-Vis is only produced from fluorescent fabrics in either yellow or orange. Any other colour fluorescent fabric, no matter how bright, is not compliant and can’t be considered hi-vis.
Reflective strips or tapes are also regulated under EN ISO 2471:3012. Reflective tapes must not be blocked, at any angle when wearing. These reflective tapes should also meet a minimum surface areas depending on the class of hi-vis.
Classification of Hi-Vis Clothing
- Class 1 offers the lowest level of visibility. These are typically used in in low traffic areas.
- Class 2 mid-level level visibility, ideal for working near heavier traffic and in low visibility areas.
- Class 3 offers the highest level of visibility, designed for high risk areas.
Each class is met by achieving certification is based on the surface area of both types of material. To achieve these a minimum surface area requirement applies. These can be achieved by combining a selection of hi-vis garments.
How Does Custom Branding Affect Hi-Vis?
Branding your clothing as a work uniform is a highly beneficial way of promoting your company on site and distinguishing employees from other firms.
However, logos cover the fluorescent background material, so the area of the logo is deducted from the minimum surface area calculation, the minimum surface areas for each Class can be found above. This is something you should discuss with your Bryson Account Manager when planning your safety wear to ensure that your design remains compliant. As the minimum reflective and fluorescent material remains the same regardless of garment size, this means that the logo size needs to be compliant for the smallest intended garment size.
Our team of studio experts at Bryson have plenty of experience guaranteeing that your design meets legal requirements.
Contact us to discuss custom branded hi-vis clothing.
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