An updated national consensus standard for high-visibility safety apparel from the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) now provides criteria and test requirements for garments marked as flame- or water-resistant, and includes service-life guidelines.

The American National Standard for High Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear (ANSI/ISEA 107-2010) is the authoritative document for the design, performance specifications and use of high-visibility apparel, including millions of vests, jackets, coveralls, trousers, rainwear and headwear worn by workers in thousands of road construction, emergency response, forestry and other industrial and business settings. Although this revision does not change the long-standing requirements, it does address important issues for the wearer related to flame resistance and use during rainfall.

“In the past decade, the acceptance and use of high-visibility garments have become commonplace in working environments where any kind of vehicular movement is present,” said Jim Teigen, chairman of the ISEA High-Visibility Products Group. “Due to this widespread use, garments have evolved to address other needs of workers, such as flame-resistant properties. The inclusion of flame-resistance criteria as an optional feature is in direct response to end-user requests.”

The update also calls attention to the service-life guidelines that have been established by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). “It is important that the end-user be aware of a high-visibility garment’s capability to offer continued protection,” Teigen noted.

The 43-page ANSI/ISEA 107-2010 standard may be purchased from ISEA. For information, visit www.safetyequipment.org.