Do You Need a Class 3 Safety Vest?

A Class 3 safety vest is designed to offer maximum visibility to road workers in order to protect them from motorists on the roadways and machine operators on the site. A Class 3 safety vest offers 310 square inches of reflective surface area and more coverage than vests in Class 1 and Class 2. In many industries, some type of safety vest is required—how can you determine which one you need? Typically, you can turn to the OSHA guideline to determine what is required, but taking a closer look at the differences between the OSHA Class 3 safety vest requirements and the Class 1 and Class 2 requirements will help determine whether the minimum requirements will do or if you need something more robust.

ANSI Class 1 Safety Vests

Class 1 safety vests are typically parking vests used by those that work in parking lots, where traffic tends to be slower and more controlled, such as parking attendants and shopping cart retrievers. Considerations for choosing a Class 1 safety vest include working in an area where vehicles and equipment are moving at speeds less than 25 miles per hour and the worker’s sole attention can be paid to the environment, as opposed to those that do their work amidst traffic, such as road construction crews.

ANSI Class 2 Safety Vests

Conditions that may necessitate an upgrade from a Class 1 safety vest to the Class 2 include the potential for changing weather conditions, work in areas that have vehicle moving around or above 25 miles per hour, and workers that have mixed obligations that include directing traffic and other activities. Typical workers that opt for the Class 2 include crossing guards and airstrip ground crews.

ANSI Class 3 Safety Vests

Class 3 is the highest level and the Class 3 safety vest offers visibility of full range of motion up to 1280 feet. These are long sleeve safety vests and are made for workers that must do their job despite traffic, which is likely operating at speeds above 25 miles per hour, possibly with limited sight distances. Survey crews, emergency responders, and others require the Class 3 safety vest.

SafetyGear Online carries the Class 3 safety vest, as well as other classifications. We’re your best source for all kinds of safety work wear that meets and exceeds industry standards.