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.