What is the OSHA Standard for High Visibility Vests?

The OSHA standard for high-visibility vests states that employers must provide a high-visibility vest to any employee who works outside during the daytime and in high-visibility areas. The OSHA standard does not require an employer to purchase a specific type of high visibility vest; however, the employer must ensure that the vest can reflect light in visible wavelengths. Vests that do not meet this requirement may have their brightness and/or color reduced to meet the requirements. Employers need to follow these guidelines so that they can comply with the standards they have set up for their employees. Read on for more information about what these standards entail and how they apply specifically to construction companies.

What Does the OSHA Standard for High Visibility Require?
The high visibility vest standard states that employers must ensure that the vest can reflect light in visible wavelengths. The OSHA standard applies to any employee who works outside during the daytime and in high-visibility areas. High-visibility areas are defined by OSHA as areas where the “visibility is visible for at least 500 feet.” The OSHA high visibility vest standard is a basic regulation that requires only that employees be provided with a high visibility vest. The OSHA standard does not require employers to purchase a specific type of high visibility vest; however, the employer must ensure that the vest can reflect light in visible wavelengths. Vests that do not meet this requirement may have their brightness and/or color reduced to meet the requirements. Employers need to follow these guidelines so that they can comply with the standards they have set up for their employees.

What Does OSHA Mean When Looking for a “High-visibility” Vest?
A high-visibility vest should be identifiable to others on the road at night and in daylight. It should be bright enough to be seen during daylight hours, and reflective enough to be visible during nighttime hours. A vest that is only visible during the day does not meet this standard. Vests should be high-visibility enough to be seen, but also low-visibility enough to not be hazardous to an operator’s visibility or safety. As with all safety equipment, the vest must not be so bright that it interferes with the operator’s vision. Some factors that can influence the visibility of a vest include the color of the vest, how reflective the vest is, how bright the vest is, and the kind of material the vest is made from. Though there are no specific guidelines, an employer can help ensure that their vest meets OSHA requirements by choosing a vest that is distinctive, bright, has reflective material and is low-visibility enough to not be hazardous to visibility or safety.

Requirements for Construction Vests
Construction workers should be equipped with a high visibility vest at all times when working in areas where there is a risk of being hit by a construction vehicle. The vest must have a visible reflective material, be high-visibility enough to be seen, and not interfere with the vision of the construction worker.

Other OSHA Requirements Concerning High-visibility Vests
High-visibility vests are required for specific times and within specific places during a construction project. The specific requirements for high visibility vest use can vary based on whether the project is federally funded or privately funded, and they can also vary based on the type of project being undertaken. Construction work that involves building bridges or high-speed railroads is required to follow certain standards around high visibility vest use. And construction projects that take place in urban areas are expected to follow certain guidelines around the use of high-visibility vests.

Conclusion
High visibility vests play a vital role in ensuring the safety of construction workers on job sites. They should be worn at all times when workers are involved in activities with a risk of being hit by a vehicle, such as bridge construction, highway work, and other similar work. In addition, high-visibility vests are required when working in high-visibility areas. An illuminated vest may be required during the day and reflective at night. High visibility vests are an important part of construction safety, and employers should follow these guidelines to ensure employee protection. These OSHA standards can be confusing, especially for start-ups or smaller construction companies. With the information provided in this article, you should be better informed on how to comply with these standards in your own company.