There are different types of apparel that must be worn by workers in various industries, such as road construction crews. This protective gear is mandated by the American National Standards Institute and is divided into three different classes. The ones worn by workers in high risk industries must wear the ANSI Class 2 garments.
These garments are worn by personnel in a wide range of industries. Airport ramp workers, road workers, police and emergency personnel, firefighters, construction workers, and utility workers are all included in this class.
These are individuals who are in high-risk occupations and are identified by their reflexive gear that includes outerwear, safety vests, rain wear, shirts, and safety vests. This makes them more visible at night as well as in low-light and daylight conditions.
The colors required by this kind of gear are quite precise. It must have reflective materials that cover a specific number of square inches and usually includes a jacket, its hood and sleeves. Fluorescent color is in the background although it may not be reflective. The colors most used are yellow with green, orange with red or red fluorescent. Colors must counteract the surroundings and vehicles, at the job site, so that workers are easily identified.
Garments will also include reflective tape that is at least four yards in length and 1.375 inches wide. The wider the reflective tape, however, the shorter it can be. It is also required that solid reflective bands encircle the girth of the torso. These bands must also be separated by two inch spacing with arm bands running around the arms between elbow and shoulder as well as around the cuff of the sleeve.
Knowing that workers wearing these garments are subject to various elements, vigorous testing is conducted before a garment is offered for sale. Such things as how the reflection works after the garment is washed, its resistance to abrasion, folding the garment under cold conditions, resistance to rain and so forth. These are conditions that can be expected under different types of jobs that require these garments.
Even more testing is then done by a third party regarding the basic material used in the garment. If it passes all testing, it is labeled, instructions included and packaged. The manufacturers who produce this kind of safety gear must provide certification that they meet all required standards.
This type of gear is divided by class according to what kind of occupation the worker is engaged in. For people who work where traffic exceeds 25 mph or there is heavy machinery involved a class 2 vest would be required. A person engaged in working where there is traffic over 50 miles an hour it would be required to wear a class 3 vest.
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