PROTECT YOUR TRUCK DRIVERS WITH HIGH-VISIBILITY WORKWEAR

For drivers, one of the least safe places to be is walking around on foot in high-traffic and low-visibility environments like busy roadways and dimly lit loading docks. High-visibility clothing provides added safety while at large distribution centers, in busy yards with moving vehicles, when making emergency stops or in any low-light or in bad weather conditions.

Learn about the different types of high-visibility safety gear and things to consider that can protect your drivers when they must step out of the truck.

ANSI Standards for High-Visibility Workwear

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) sets safety standards that are enforced by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). Different jobs require different minimum standards for safety. ANSI categorizes high-visibility workwear by type and by class to help workers get the right kind of safety gear for their work.

ANSI Ratings by Type

There are three types of ANSI-rated high-visibility gear:

  • Type O: Off-Road
  • Type R: Roadway
  • Type P: Public Safety

Each type offers specific features to meet the safety needs of different jobs. Drivers generally need high-visibility safety gear that is ANSI Type R.

ANSI Ratings by Class

There are four classes of ANSI-rated high-visibility gear:

  • Class 1
  • Class 2
  • Class 3
  • Class E (supplemental)

Each class increases the required amount of high-visibility material and reflective tape included on the garment. Class E is considered a supplement, or something like high-visibility bib overalls or work pants that can be added to an outfit to raise the Class rating.

CSA Standards for High-Visibility Workwear

The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) performs a similar function for Canadian consumers, businesses and organizations as ANSI does in the United States.

There are three classes of CSA-rated high-visibility gear:

  • Class 1: Provides lowest recognized coverage and good visibility
  • Class 2: Provides moderate coverage and superior visibility
  • Class 3: Provides greatest coverage and visibility under low-light conditions and at great distance

Each type offers specific features to meet the safety needs of different jobs. Drivers generally need high-visibility safety gear that is CSA Class 3.

In addition to high-visibility fabric and reflective tape, CSA standards require that garments have a reflective X pattern on the back to indicate the direction the wearer is facing.

Choosing High-Visibility Clothing for Truck Drivers

When you’re outfitting your drivers with high-visibility workwear, be sure to consider all the conditions they may face so you can choose the safest gear.

For example, will your drivers face low-light conditions at night or due to poor weather conditions? Will they be walking around or inspecting their vehicles on busy yards or near high-traffic roadways? Will they need insulated high-visibility clothing for cold conditions, or will a simple high-visibility safety vest be sufficient for their working conditions?

Understanding the challenges of their work and choosing gear that keeps them safe will go a long way to helping you retain good drivers for your business.

Shop High-Visibility Workwear for Drivers

If you need help selecting the right high-visibility workwear for your drivers, please contact RefrigiWear Customer Service.