ISEA Updates Hi-Vis Standard with Flame-Resistance, Service Life Criteria
The International Safety Equipment Association's forthcoming national consensus standard for high-visibility safety apparel will include criteria and test requirements for high-vis garments marked as flame- or water-resistant.
The American National Standard for High Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear (ANSI/ISEA 107-2010) is devoted to the design, performance specifications, and use of high-vis 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.
This second update since ISEA published the first edition in 1999 was developed by ISEA’s High Visibility Products Group and approved by key stakeholders representing utility workers, safety professionals, transportation safety experts, testing laboratories, and government agencies. Though the revision does not change the long-standing requirements for compliant garments with respect to classification and color, 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 and business manager of OK-1 Manufacturing. "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 included in direct response to end-user requests."
Additionally, the update calls attention to the service-life guidelines for high-vis garments that have been established by the Federal Highway Administration. "It is important that the end-user be aware of a high-visibility garment's capability to offer continued protection," Teigen noted. "For this reason, users are encouraged to follow guidelines put forth by the FHWA and manufacturers to ensure that they are being seen at all times, in all situations."
The updated 43-page edition, which will be available from the ISEA online store (www.isea.org) in early February, includes examples of apparel configurations known to meet the standard. It can be purchased from ISEA for $62 a copy, and bulk-order discounts are available.