Hi-vis workwear is an essential type of personal protective equipment (PPE) that is used to protect workers in certain environments, especially those working close to moving vehicles and machinery, in poor lighting conditions or when working at night.

High visibility clothing is protective clothing that is intended to make the wearer clearly detectable in a potentially hazardous situation, either during the day or when illuminated in the dark.

This includes hi-vis vests, trousers, t-shirts, jackets , etc.

By reducing the risk of being run over by moving vehicles, high-visibility clothing acts as a vital piece of personal protective equipment to maintain workplace safety.

Whether a vest, t-shirt, polo shirt, trousers or jacket, all hi-vis workwear for professional use must conform to EN ISO 20471.

EN ISO 20471 is an international standard that defines the requirements for garments that visually signal the wearer's presence and it establishes the validity and durability of the materials that they are made of. It replaces the former EN 471 standard.

In addition, they must comply with the requirements of EN ISO 13688 on protective clothing in general. They also usually comply with EN 343 if they are certified to protect against rain.

High visibility: Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3?

High visibility workwear must be labelled with the EN ISO 20471 pictogram and the corresponding class number. Depending on the surface area of the fluorescent and reflective material on the garment, there are three classes of high visibility clothing:

High visibility clothing Class 1

This is the lowest level of protection. This clothing is intended for work on roads with little traffic and with vehicles travelling at low speeds. It may also be used in conjunction with other more protective clothing. It’s often used in car parks and warehouses.

High visibility clothing Class 2

Mid-level visibility. Used for activities requiring increased visibility, where there may be weather complications, such as fog, or for work carried out in hours with low daylight. It’s also used for work where tasks are performed that distract attention from traffic. This class is recommended if nearby vehicles are travelling at moderate speeds.

Combining two individual pieces of EN ISO 20471 clothing can achieve a higher class level for the whole outfit. For example, a Class 2 t-shirt and Class 1 trousers equal Class 2 protection.

Class 3 ensembles can be achieved by wearing an individual garment rated as Class 3 or by wearing Class 1 or Class 2 upper and lower garments that make up Class 3 based on the surface area of the fluorescent material and reflective strips.

Class 2 is often used for railway work, delivery vehicle drivers, forestry work, waste management and recycling services and school crossing guards.

High Visibility Clothing Class 3

This is the highest level of visibility protection. This class provides 360° visibility as well as human figure recognition.

It should be used by workers working out in the open on motorways, highways and other high-risk roads. Also, those working in difficult weather conditions and under very poor lighting or in the dark.

This level of protection gives extra visibility in areas such as the arms and legs. Class 3 clothing must be torso-covering with long sleeves or long high-visibility trousers. It’s often worn for road construction or maintenance and emergency services, for example.

What is hi-vis workwear made of?

These garments are typically made of two types of materials: fluorescent (background) material and reflective tapes or strips.

Fluorescent material

Fluorescent colours provide much better visibility during the day. They also facilitate visibility at night. Fluorescent materials work by converting ultraviolet light into visible light, making them brighter and more eye-catching.

In addition, these bright colours stand out from other standard colours in the workplace. High-visibility clothing can be yellow, orange or red. It’s very important to ensure that the colour contrasts with the surroundings. The material must also meet requirements regarding dimensions, mechanical properties and breathability.

Which type of hi-vis workwear should you buy?

The selection of hi-vis clothing, as with any kind of personal protective equipment (PPE), requires a specialised risk assessment of the workplace. This will then define the level of protection required.

Usually hazards caused by poor visibility are related to environmental conditions (smoke, darkness, background lighting, etc.), the workplace (site design, range of distance to be seen, etc.) and being overworked (physical and mental stress).

Depending on the risks present and the specific characteristics of the task to be performed, one or multiple types of high-visibility clothing may be required.

Among the different brands on the market, Portwest hi-vis workwear stands out for its comfort, versatility and quality.

Don’t forget to view our range of hi-vis workwear and explore all the options at your disposition.

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