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High-Visibility Garments and Worker Safety on Roadways

FAQs

Q. What law requires the use of high-visibility apparel for workers?
A. 23 CFR, Part 655, National Standards for Traffic Control Devices; the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways.

Q. Does this law apply to emergency responders, such as law enforcement personnel and firefighters?
A. Yes. These employees have some exemptions based on activities in which they are engaged.

Q. How do I know if my work activities require using high-visibility apparel?
A. Generally, all workers within the right-of-way are required to wear high-visibility apparel. Exemptions are provided for firefighters and law enforcement personnel (as noted above).

Q. Does the type of high-visibility vest required vary according to the work activity?
A. The high-visibility requirement is met in most cases with a garment that is compliant to ANSI/ISEA 107-2004, Performance Class 2.

Q. How do I know if a high-visibility vest meets a particular class?
A. Vests certified to ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 or ANSI/ ISEA 207-2006 must have a label clearly stating compliance with the standard.

Q. When should high-visibility safety apparel be replaced?
A. High-visibility safety apparel should be replaced when it becomes faded, torn, dirty, soiled, worn or defaced, or if it is not visible during day or night at 1,000 feet.

Q. When should firefighters wear high-visibility safety apparel?
A. Firefighters engaged in roadside firefighting activities, such as installing road signs, directing traffic, and tactical/logistical support activities, are required to wear a high-visibility garment.

Q. When should firefighters not wear high-visibility safety apparel?
A. High-visibility safety apparel must be worn any time firefighters work on or in the right-of-way of a public roadway unless they are directly exposed to flame, fire, heat, and/or hazardous materials.

Q. When firefighters are required to wear high-visibility apparel, what type should they wear?
A. Firefighters should wear a vest that complies with either ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 or ANSI/ISEA 207-2006.

Q. What other steps for safe operations should firefighters take if they are not wearing high-visibility apparel?
A. Firefighters should set up temporary traffic control measures to ensure roadside safety. These measures can range from signing and flaggers to temporary road closures.