subject: Traffic Vest Requirements [print this page] Traffic Vest Requirements Traffic Vest Requirements
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) sets the standards/regulations for traffic safety vests. These vests are to worn by individuals who work outside in high risk traffic areas including police officials, EMTs, road construction and maintenance crews, crossing guards and highway surveyors. ANSI has specified that these traffic vests must conform to certain standards in order to ensure the individual's safety. These requirements are based on the standards of the International Safety Equipment Association and include the following:
Traffic vests must be cut in specific ways based on the wear's occupation. For example, a policeman or woman's vest must not fall below the waist so that they can always easily reach their firearm.
The ANSI requires that traffic vests use Velcro or snaps as fasteners so that they can be torn away from the body without difficulty. When working around automobiles, there is always the possibility for lose clothing to catch on a vehicle as it passes by. If a vest can be ripped away easily, it lessens the risk of being dragged by the vehicle.
Traffic vests must be highly visible in all weather and lighting conditions so they must be brightly colored usually bright orange or yellow - and feature reflective stripes or a large "X" across the back.
In January 2010, the ANSI also specified that traffic vests must be both flame and water resistance and must be certified by the manufacturer as complying with this standard.
ANSI also separates the safety vests in several different "classes", Class 1 Vests, Class 2 Vests, Class 3 Vests and Class E vests. We will address what distinguishes these four types of traffic vests in my next blog.
