New Safety Standards: ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 Compliance & Our Hi Vis Apparel

In the construction industry of the United States, struck-by injuries is a leading cause of workplace fatalities. These incidents occur when workers are hit by vehicles or equipment. The good news is that these injuries and deaths are preventable. With over 11 million construction workers in the country, implementing high-visible safety apparel in compliance with the ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 standard can offer enhanced protection for these individuals.

The Role of Bright Colors in Nature

Utilizing bright colors and reflective materials in the construction industry brings considerable benefits, even though it may appear simplistic. In nature, colors play a vital role in helping animals make quick decisions. Aposematism, for instance, is a common phenomenon observed among insects, reptiles, fish, and other animals. It involves the use of visual signals, such as bright markings or colors, to warn predators of the animal's toxicity. Although bright colors may initially attract attention, aposematism relies on predators' memory of previous negative encounters with brightly colored toxic animals, acting as an effective deterrent.

The Importance of High-Visibility Safety Apparel

Similar to nature, bright colors have a significant impact on human attention in everyday life. It is evident why warnings and signs are often designed using vibrant hues. They not only catch our eye, but the colors red, orange, and yellow are universally associated with caution and danger.

Through evolutionary and cultural forces, we have learned to associate these bright colors with potential hazards, enabling us to make quicker decisions. Consequently, when workers don high-visibility safety apparel in vibrant colors, it reduces job-related injuries and fatalities. When operating machinery or driving vehicles, the bright colors of safety apparel makes workers more noticeable compared to regular clothing that might blend into the surroundings.

High-visibility safety apparel with bright colors and retroreflective materials becomes even more crucial during low-light conditions such as dawn, dusk, or night when visibility is compromised. Retroreflective materials possess the ability to reflect light back to its source, much like bright colors, attracting attention. By combining bright colors and retroreflective materials, high-visibility safety apparel proves extremely beneficial for construction workers and others in work zones.

Enhanced Visibility with ANSI/ISEA 107-2020

ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 serves as the American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel. It outlines performance requirements that ensure the user's visibility under various light conditions, whether day or night. This standard becomes particularly crucial in hazardous conditions and situations where potential threats exist.

The latest revisions to the ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 standard encompass several noteworthy changes:

• The elimination of high-visibility accessory criteria is a notable modification, as the focus now lies on underscoring the significance of configurations and design requirements that contribute to the Type-Performance Class designation.

• Recognizing that garments are prone to becoming soiled in the work environment, the updated edition includes specific criteria for single-use disposable coveralls. These coveralls comply with the required minimum material amounts and color specifications applicable to all compliant hi vis apparel. It is important to note that the associated material integrity requirements solely apply to single-use disposable coveralls, which bear unique markings.

• In an effort to align more closely with other material integrity tests and acknowledge current evaluation practices, the testing methods have been updated.

• A novel concept introduced in the revised standard involves the measurement of a garment's overall nighttime luminance. Manufacturers are now granted the option to conduct testing according to ASTM E1501 to assess this aspect.

Implementing high-visibility safety apparel adhering to the ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 standard significantly contributes to the prevention of struck-by injuries and fatalities in the construction industry. The use of bright colors and retroreflective materials enhances workers' visibility, allowing them to be easily noticed and avoiding potential accidents. By adopting these measures, construction workers and individuals in work zones can experience heightened safety, promoting a secure work environment.

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