When it comes to personal safety, being seen is crucial, especially in environments where visibility is limited. Whether you're working on a construction site, hunting, or just taking a walk along a busy road, high-visibility standards play a significant role in keeping you safe. But what exactly are these standards, and why are they important? Let's break down CSA Z96 and ANSI 107 standards.
CSA Z96
Main criteria
Must have fitted 2" Retroreflective tape
Must have fluorescent or vivid colored base material as specified
Fluorescent
- Fluorescent yellow or orange
- Flame resistant : Fluorescent yellow
Vivid
- Vivid yellow or orange
- Flame resistant : vivid yellow or orange
Exception for garments classified as Class 1 Level FR which may use retroreflective tape > 19mm wide with fabrics which may not be fluorescent or vivid and which must be flame resistant.
Configurations :
- A horizontal stripe/band entirely surrounding the garment at the waist
- Two vertical stripes/bands down the front from the shoulders to the waist
- A symmetrical "X" on the back running from the shoulders to the waist stripe/band
- For the class 3 clothing, stripes/bands that surround the arms and legs
Class
Determines the protection, class 1 being the lowest level of visibility and class 3 being the most effective.
Level
Photometric performance. All BIG BILL high visibility garments have level 2 tape.
Class 1 level FR : may use retroreflective tape > 19mm wide with the fabrics that may not be fluorescent of vivid and must be flame resistant. The garment (or set of garments) must cover the whole body. Must have bands on arms and legs.
ANSI 107
Main criteria
Type 0 : Must have retroreflective tape of at least 1"
Type R : Must have 2" retroreflective tape or two 1" tapes no more than 2" apart
Must be composed of fluorescent base material only according to criteria:
- Fluorescent yellow and orange
- Flame resistant : fluorescent yellow
ANSI types for BIG BILL® clothing :
- O (Off-road): HV protective clothing for off-road use
- R (roadway): HV protective clothing for road use (higher level of visibility)
- P (public safety): HV protective clothing for emergency and incident responders and law enforment personnel. We are not producing this type of clothing at this time.
If you're not seen, you're not safe
High-visibility standards are all about safety and visibility. By wearing the right high-visibility clothing and gear, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and stay safe in situations where visibility is less than ideal. Remember, it's not just about following the rules; it's about looking out for your well-being and the well-being of those around you. Stay safe, be seen!
