Wolf, Jerry . 2009. T&D Snippets—Be Seen: High-Visibility Outer Garment Required When Working in Highway Rights-of-Way. 0967 2S07. Missoula, MT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Technology and Development Program.

Be Seen: High-Visibility Outer Garment Required When Working in Highway Rights-of-Way

By Dennis Davis

A new rule generally requires Forest Service employees working in the right-of-way of interstates and U.S. highways to wear a high-visibility outer garment meeting the requirements of the ANSI/ISEA 107-2004, Class 2 standard. This requirement applies to highway construction and maintenance crews, survey crews, utility crews, persons responding to incidents in the highway right-of-way, and law enforcement personnel when they are directing traffic, investigating crashes, and handling lane closures, obstructed roadways, and disasters.

There are exceptions for law enforcement officers working covertly and for wildland firefighters. Further information for firefighters is available at http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/equipment.

This tech tip concludes with the recommendation that every Forest Service vehicle should carry at least two vests that comply with the ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 standard.

Keywords: 23 CFR Part 634, ANSI/ISEA 107-2004, clothing, construction, Federal Highway Administration, FHWA, fire fighting, firefighting, safety at work