ANSI Safety Vest Class Types

Safety vests are used by fireman, construction, and military workers alike. When picking the right safety vest, it all falls down to visibility requirements set depending on the area where work is being done. The different class types all depend on the amount of required visible background material and reflective material. ANSI carries two kinds of vest, the class 2 and class 3. This guide is intended to help you decide which class is best for you and your crew.

The first type of vest is class 2. These have 775 inches of background material and 201 inches of reflective material. Sleeveless, they are required on sites with traffic going at speeds at least 25 mph and near heavy machinery. These vests are designed for moderate risk environments including but not limited to: school crossings, parking lots, and traffic direction. Because they fall under areas with less strict requirements, they are smaller than class 3 vests.

Class 3 safety vests provide greater visibility than class 2. They have 465 more square inches of reflective material and 109 more inches of reflective tape. They also have sleeves, while the class 2 is sleeveless. They are required for work sites near traffic that is greater than 50 mph. They are designed for greater visibility during harsh weather such as hurricanes or blizzards, or are worn by emergency first responders working on or near highways and freeways.

So which one is right for you? Class 2 safety vests are less expensive, lighter, and better for warmer weather. They also offer less visibility and can be used in less places. Class 3 offers increased visibility by those around you and can be used in more sites. It also offers better protection from the elements. While they are more expensive, they are sometimes the better choice. Which one is right for you depends on the what your site requires.