What You Need to Know About ANSI Hi-Visibility Safety Vests for Towing

Whether you’re hooking up a vehicle, walking out of a ditch, or crossing lanes of traffic to pick-up debris, high-visibility safety vests are the tow truck operator’s best defense for being seen and staying safe at night or in low light conditions.
Designed to distinguish the worker from the environment, hi-vis safety vests are made up of three parts: background material, retro-reflective material, and a combined performance material that
separates the retro-reflective and fluorescent materials.
Browse Class 2 Vests: bit.ly/2qhXrwJ
Browse Class 3 Vests: bit.ly/2zdCjfm
Browse All Hi-Viz Safety Vests: bit.ly/2PvFDwr
The color of the background material and the combined performance material can be fluorescent orange-red or fluorescent yellow-green. Retro-reflective material reflects light back to the source when light shines on it. This material can be silver reflective or prismatic. ANSI regulations include three different classes that specify different hi-vis requirements.
Class 2 vests have higher visibility than Class 1 and are intended for work near roadways where traffic exceeds 25 mph, or for greater visibility during inclement weather. The width of retro-reflective material used must not be less than 35 mm.
Class 3 vests offers the highest level of visibility for workers. Class 3 vests are designed for road personnel with high-task loads in a wide variety of weather conditions where traffic exceeds 50 mph.
Class 3 vests have the most retro-reflective material, and must have sleeves with retro-reflective materials between the shoulders and elbows. The width of retro-reflective material must not be less than 50mm. Towing operations would be suited for Class 3 vests.
That takes care of hi-vis requirements. Now, let’s talk fabric. Traffic safety vests are available in mesh fabric for cool, breathable comfort, especially when worn over clothing. Vests are also available in durable synthetic, nylon and polyester materials.
Fasteners? We have a number of options here. Choose from the ease, speed and convenience of Velcro...to the strength and reliability of zippers.
Pockets are typically found at the chest or waist. As for sizes, our vests cover a wide range from medium to five XL. Of course if you’re wearing vests over clothing, you can even choose an expandable vest option! Care and maintenance? Here are a few tips for taking care of your hi-vis vest so it lasts.
Vests that are dirty don’t provide the same visual contrast as a new garment, though each washing gradually reduces the color intensity and reflectivity of the striping. Some manufacturers do limit the number of washings to maintain the product’s effectiveness, and once this limit is reached the vest needs to be taken out of service.
The number of washes and the washing procedure varies between manufacturers, but a garment can typically be washed between five and 25 times before its reflective properties are reduced to a non-ANSI-required level.
Always wash your vest in cold water and hang to dry. Do not use a tumble dryer. If possible, try spot treating with a stain remover and allow it to soak in overnight. Some items can be dry-cleaned, some cannot. Be sure to check your garment’s label or check with the manufacturer.
There you have it: Traffic Safety Vest 101. Thanks for taking the time to learn more about this potentially life-saving garment. Stay safe out there!
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