Why do I need hi-vis clothing?
Hi-vis workwear is a mandatory requirement for all industries where work occurs near traffic, cranes & other motorised vehicles. It is also essential for any poor light conditions (for example working at night, or in a darker environment such as a warehouse). The main role of hi-vis clothing is to reduce the risk of accidents occurring in these potentially dangerous environments by making the wearer stand out from the background. The wearer should be clearly visible from all angles and the design of the reflective strips and fluorescent material should account for this.
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What are the current regulations?
EN ISO 20471:2013 is the international standard for the safety requirements and test methods of hi-vis workwear, and is applicable to any high-risk situation. It is specifically used to asses “high visibility clothing which is capable of visually signalling the user's presence” and assesses the suitability and durability of retro-reflective materials.
Certificates are valid for a total of 5 years, which ensures that all hi-vis garments continue to meet the required standards and any update made to the international standards.
What is assessed for the certification?
There are 3 key components that are used to assess whether a garment meets EN ISO 20471 safety requirements. These are:
-
The fluorescent material
This boosts visibility during daylight hours and can also increase visibility at night.
-
The reflective strips
These are designed to enhance visibility during the darker hours of the day. Reflective strips require a light source to work and create retro-reflection. They are essential for those working at night.
-
The contrast material
Some hi-vis clothing features dark-coloured parts that are less sensitive to dirt than the fluorescent material and reflective strips. The areas covered with the contrast fabric are generally where dirt is more likely to build up.
In order for a garment to be certified, it needs to have a base colour that meets the required level of fluorescence, a minimum area of reflectivity and the correct placement of this reflective tape. Physical properties including tensile strength, thermal resistance and dimensional stability are also covered by the standard. These requirements ensure that all hi-vis garments are suitable for the intended working conditions.
What are the different classifications of EN ISO 20471?
Certification is split into 3 classes, with class 1 offering the lowest level of protection, class 2 being an intermediate level and class 3 offering the highest level. All garments should be labelled with the approved EN ISO 20471 icon and the appropriate class number. You can see an example of how this looks below:
Certification is based on the surface area of both the fluorescent material and the reflective tape. There are minimum requirements for each as per the table below:
|
|
Class 1 |
Class 2 |
Class 3 |
|
Reflective Tape |
0.10 sqm |
0.13 sqm |
0.20 sqm |
|
Fluorescent Material |
0.14 sqm |
0.50 sqm |
0.80 sqm |
Class 3 certification can be achieved in 2 ways:
- By wearing an individual garment rated as class 3.
- By wearing 2 or more certified products that make up class 3 based on the total area of fluorescent and reflective material
A risk assessment of the conditions and risks for a particular worker should be used to determine the suitable class required for the role.
What is EN471?
EN471 is the old classification standard for high-visibility clothing that preceded EN ISO 20471 before it came into force in 2013.
When EN ISO 20471 replaced EN471 several improvements were made to the standard. The newer standard makes a stronger distinction between the different types of risk situations, which hi-vis users can then apply to their own situation to determine the level of protection they require. Crucially, the requirements now depend on which part of the body the garment is covering, rather than the type of garment as in EN471. There are five options: torso only; torso and arms; legs; torso and legs; and torso, arms and legs.
The requirements of class 3 also increased with the change of certification. Class 3 garments today must cover the torso and include either full-length sleeves or trousers. If a sleeve obscures part of a reflective band on the torso of a garment, a band must be added to the sleeves. For hi-vis garments with short sleeves, if the sleeve obscures a torso band of retro-reflective tape, the standard now dictates that there must also be a band of retro-reflective tape about the sleeves.
As certificates are valid for 5 years, if you are still using garments certified to EN471 they should be replaced immediately with hi-vis workwear certified to the new standard.
How should I look after my hi-vis workwear?
You need to consider that testing and certification for EN ISO 20471 is completed before the use of the garments. Over time the garments will become dirty, be frequently washed and become compromised. Therefore you will need to replace garments relatively frequently to maintain compliance.
Most hi-vis garments have a maximum life of 25 washes (some have more and this should be stated on the label). This means that over-cleaning can lead you to lose compliance. However, that also needs to be balanced with not washing regularly enough, as stains and dirt will also reduce the item’s visibility.
Can I add a logo to my hi-vis workwear?
Although branded or personalised hi-vis is a great way of promoting and distinguishing your company on site, employers should take care when adding logos to hi-vis workwear.
Because of the requirements for the minimum area of reflective and fluorescent material (table above), the certification of your garments may be impacted if you personalise in any way. Any area of background or retro-reflective material that is covered by branding will subsequently be excluded from the calculation of the required minimum area.
Where possible, use reflective logo transfers, or try to place branding on the contrast material so visibility is not impacted and hi-vis safety standards are maintained.
Also be aware that adjusting garments, for example shortening the length of trousers, might also reduce the area of fluorescent material and affect the classification of the garment.
Choosing the Right Hi-Vis Clothing
The correct level of high-visibility protection depends on your working environment, lighting conditions, and proximity to moving vehicles or machinery.
As a general guide:
- Class 1 is suitable for low-risk environments with slower moving traffic.
- Class 2 is commonly used for warehouse work, roadside tasks, and moderate-risk environments.
- Class 3 offers the highest level of visibility and is often required for motorway work, rail industries, and high-risk roadside environments.
Employers should always carry out a risk assessment to determine the appropriate level of protection required for each role.
Common Hi-Vis Mistakes to Avoid
Even certified hi-vis workwear can become less effective if it is not properly maintained or used correctly.
Some of the most common mistakes include:
- Wearing faded or damaged garments
- Allowing reflective tape to become heavily soiled
- Overwashing garments beyond their certified wash limit
- Covering reflective areas with tools, harnesses, or branding
- Wearing the incorrect class of hi-vis clothing for the environment
- Altering garments in ways that reduce fluorescent or reflective coverage
Replacing worn or damaged hi-vis clothing regularly helps maintain visibility, compliance, and workplace safety.
Industries That Commonly Require Hi-Vis Workwear
Hi-vis clothing is widely used across industries where workers need to remain clearly visible in potentially hazardous environments.
This includes:
- Construction
- Roadwork
- Rail
- Warehousing and logistics
- Airports and ground crews
- Utilities and infrastructure
- Waste management
- Emergency response teams
Layering Hi-Vis Clothing in Winter
During colder months, workers often require both high-visibility protection and thermal insulation.
Layering thermal base layers and insulated mid-layers underneath certified hi-vis outerwear can help workers stay warm without compromising visibility compliance.
When layering clothing, it is important to ensure that reflective tape and fluorescent materials remain clearly visible at all times.
FAQs About Hi-Vis Clothing
What does EN ISO 20471 mean?
EN ISO 20471 is the international safety standard for high-visibility clothing used in hazardous working environments.
What is the difference between Class 1, 2, and 3 hi-vis?
The classes refer to the amount of fluorescent and reflective material used on the garment, with Class 3 offering the highest visibility.
How many times can hi-vis clothing be washed?
Many hi-vis garments are certified for up to 25 washes, although some products may be rated for more.
Can you print logos on hi-vis clothing?
Yes, but care must be taken not to reduce the required fluorescent or reflective surface area needed for certification compliance.
When should hi-vis clothing be replaced?
Garments should be replaced once they become faded, damaged, excessively dirty, or no longer meet visibility requirements.
Stay Visible and Protected on Site
Hi-vis workwear plays a critical role in workplace safety across construction, logistics, transport, warehousing, and other high-risk industries.
Understanding EN ISO 20471 standards helps ensure that workers are equipped with the correct level of visibility and protection for the job.
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