Free Tool · High-Visibility Clothing Selection
Hi-Vis Class Checker: Find Your Required Visibility Class
Select the work environment closest to your task to see the typical high-visibility clothing class required. Employers and site rules may specify a higher class than the minimum shown here, so always confirm against site-specific requirements.
Warehouse and Low-Speed Indoor Environments
Areas with slow-moving forklifts and indoor vehicle traffic typically require Class 1 as a minimum, usually a simple vest with a modest area of reflective and background material.
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Low-Speed Roadside Work
Roadside work on lower-speed roads typically requires Class 2, offering a larger area of visible and reflective material than Class 1.
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High-Speed Road and Motorway Work
Work near high-speed traffic typically requires Class 3, the highest class, usually met with a full coverage jacket plus trousers or a single garment providing equivalent coverage.
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Rail Trackside Environments
Trackside work typically requires Class 3 clothing, and railway operators commonly add their own specific colour, pattern or additional marking requirements on top of the base standard.
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Airport Ramp and Apron Work
Ramp and apron environments typically require Class 2 or Class 3 depending on the specific airport operator’s policy and the proximity to moving aircraft and ground vehicles.
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Night-Time and Low-Light Conditions
Low-light and night-time outdoor work typically calls for Class 3 with an enhanced retroreflective area, since background material alone is far less effective without ambient daylight.
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Cold-Weather Hi-Vis Outerwear
Insulated hi-vis parkas and winter jackets should still meet Class 3 where the underlying task requires it – insulation must not come at the cost of the required visible and reflective area.
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How to Use This Tool
Select the environment closest to where the work actually takes place, not just the general site type – a warehouse worker who occasionally steps onto a loading yard next to moving trucks may need a higher class than one who stays entirely indoors. Site rules and client requirements often exceed the standard’s minimum, so always check local policy too.
Why Site Rules May Require More Than the Minimum Class
EN ISO 20471 sets minimum material area requirements for each class, but many sites, especially in rail, utilities and major roadworks, mandate a higher class than the technical minimum as a blanket policy. Always confirm the specific requirement for your site or client contract rather than relying on the general guidance above alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Class 1, 2 and 3?
The classes are based on the minimum area of background (fluorescent) material and retroreflective material the garment must provide, with Class 3 requiring the largest area and generally full torso and limb coverage.
Can a vest alone ever meet Class 3?
Generally no. Class 3 typically requires sleeves or a combination of garments such as a jacket and trousers to provide sufficient coverage area, since a simple vest usually cannot meet the area requirement alone.
Does colour matter for hi-vis compliance?
The standard specifies fluorescent orange-red, yellow, or a combination as acceptable background colours; the key compliance factor is the certified material area and retroreflective performance, not simply visual brightness.
How does hi-vis clothing lose effectiveness over time?
Washing, UV exposure, abrasion and general wear degrade both the fluorescent background material and the reflective tape over time. Inspect regularly and replace once colour fades or reflective tape becomes dull or damaged.
Do these classes apply outside the EU?
EN ISO 20471 is used widely across the EU and internationally, but some countries and industries reference other regional standards. Confirm which standard applies to your specific site or contract.
Explore the full EN Standards Library for every standard referenced above, or read real Field Stories showing what happens when selection goes wrong.