3 Best Construction Safety Vests

MORSA IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES

Buying a Safety Vest

It’s always important to be as safe as possible on a job site. But for pros, job safety isn’t just a good idea. It’s mandatory, and it comes with pages of regulatory requirements.

Workers in reflective safety vests pop out against the background, making them much less likely to be struck by moving vehicles.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) classify safety vests into Class 1, 2, or 3. This ANSI/ISEA classification system is also used by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Typically, each higher tier of safety vest features more bright coloring and reflective tape than the previous level. Besides Classes 1, 2, and 3, reflective safety vests are grouped by type. Type O is for off-road work, Type R is for workers near moving vehicles, and Type P is for public safety (police and emergency crews).

In the construction industry, if you need Class 1 vests, they’ll be Type O. If you need Class 2 or 3 vests, they’ll be Type R.

Keep these considerations when selecting a reflective safety vest:

• Expected use: Reflective safety vests are required by law when working near near moving vehicles. Other situations, like working in dark environments, mandate their use as well; contact OSHA for a full list. (When in doubt, always use a higher class than required for your job.)
• Type 1 safety vests: Used off-road or when traffic is slower than 25 mph.
• Type 2 safety vests: Required when working near traffic moving between 25 and 50 mph.
• Type 3 safety vests: Required when working near traffic moving more than 50 mph.
• Color: ANSI-approved vests are bright yellow or orange. Opt for the color that will stand out most dramatically. (In a park, opt for orange. On the street, opt for yellow.) Reflective vests that are black or other colors can certainly be worn for added safety, but they do not meet ANSI standards for Class 1, 2, or 3 safety vests.
• Size: ANSI requirements call for set amounts of bright background fabric for Class 2 and 3 vests. This can make sizing difficult for smaller individuals.
• Cost: Vest prices range from a few dollars to about $30. The price typically increases with higher classes, due to the increased material and selective tape.