Hi-Vis for Low Light and Roadside Construction

Every year workers and employees sustain injuries and/or are killed working roadside including highway and pavement workers, construction crews, law enforcement and first responders, incident command - these people all run the risk of not being seen by motorists, careless and fast driving, fellow employees running big equipment and simply blending into their backgrounds. The use of high-visibility safety vests can save lives.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has established standards, ANSI/ISEA 107-2004, for hi-vis vests and other high visibility gear. Such high visibility clothing is available in many forms, the most common being a Class 1 safety vest, Class 2 safety vest or Class 3 safety vest. Otherwise known as a traffic vest or construction vest, this category also includes retro-reflective jackets, reflective sweatshirts and fluorescent T-shirts. 

For inclement weather, ANSI jackets, ANSI parkas, fleece-lined bombers and rain gear, or even reflective sweatshirts might do the trick. In warmer times of the year, reflective and fluorescent T-shirts may be more appropriate. Shown above is the Black Series Windbreaker.

ANSI hi-visibility clothing must be visible both by day and night and the ANSI standard sets the amount of reflective material the garment must have. Hi-vis clothing complying with the ANSI standards has become the status quo throughout industry as an effective way to protect workers by increasing their visibility. Also, workers within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway near traffic, light or heavy equipment or machinery within the work area are required to wear a ANSI approved reflective clothing such as an ANSI jacket or traffic vest, and possibly additional high visibility safety apparel. Additionally, those workers who would need hi vis clothing include highway workers and pavers, surveyors, equipment and truck drivers, construction and maintenance crews, inspectors, flaggers, incident command and first responders (EMS and firefighters).

Fleece and Teflon® for the Perfect Bomber!



HiVis Bomber with Zip-out Storm Fleece Liner
Fleece has a natural phobia for water and is inherently warmer than real wool. It's the perfect insulator even when wet (which is really hard to do), and it's breath-ability is almost a flaw since it doesn't stand up to wind too well. And that's where the outer shell comes in to play. Cover fleece with an outer treated with a Teflon® fabric protector and a barrier around each individual fiber is formed, lowering surface tension and allowing the bomber to repel most water- and oil-based liquids. Now the fabric has water and oil repellency without changing the color or feel of the garment. Liquids bead up on this bomber like car wax, and in tests, Teflon® tends to dry faster than untreated fabrics.

 Fleece has other important properties also. It's machine washable, dries quickly, a good alternative to natural wool (especially in the case of allergies and can be recycled from itself and even plastic bottles. DuPont™ Teflon® fabric protector products must pass stringent brand assurance criteria outlined in the DuPont Global Specifications and Quality Control Tests. This bomber is only available in hi vis lime in sizes M-5XL.

Additionally, the 350 Pro Series Parka has thermal insulation for added warmth and its seams are sealed. 3M brand two inch silver reflective tape makes these parkas ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 3 compliant. Plus, storm cuffs keep wind and snow out of critical areas in inclement weather. Adjustable cuffs and a hidden collar hood compliment two outside lower slash pockets with zippers and storm flaps; one outside upper radio pocket; one hidden inside wallet pocket with storm flap; and on inside general purpose pocket. The 350 Series Parkas are available in both high visibility lime and orange in sizes M-5XL.