Hi-Vis and Workwear — Understanding the Standards

Not all hi-vis clothing offers the same level of protection — and choosing based on appearance alone can leave workers under-protected in higher-risk environments.

EN ISO 20471 explained. This is the primary European standard for high-visibility clothing, categorising garments into three classes based on the amount of reflective and fluorescent material. Class 3 offers the highest visibility and is typically required for roadside or low-light work; Class 1 may be sufficient for lower-risk, well-lit environments.

Visibility isn't the only factor. Depending on the role, workwear may also need to offer protection against weather, abrasion, or flame — hi-vis and functional protection aren't mutually exclusive, and combined garments exist for exactly this reason.

Condition affects performance. Reflective properties degrade with washing and wear over time — hi-vis clothing has a genuine usable lifespan, not an indefinite one. Regular inspection matters as much as initial selection.

Matching workwear to the actual task. Site-based construction work, warehouse operations, and roadside work each carry different risk profiles — what's appropriate for one isn't automatically appropriate for another.

Browse our Workwear range for hi-vis and protective clothing suited to a range of site conditions, or get in touch about bulk ordering for larger teams.