When looking for a safety vest, you're going to notice that you've got some color options. After you've determined the vest type, the vest class, and of course, your size, you get to pick a color. But, unfortunately, there are wrong answers to the question, which color is right for me?
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Learn the differences in safety vest classes
When working in an official capacity on a roadway, construction site, or any work overseen by OSHA, you are required to wear an ANSI-approved vest. There are only three ANSI-approved colors for safety vests, yellow-green, orange-red, and red.
But, you can buy and use a non-ANSI vest in work conditions that OSHA doesn't require an approved vest. Non-ANSI vests can come in any color, but commonly you'll see colors like blue and green. And not all yellow, orange, and red vests are ANSI approved. We'll get into all of that later.
ANSI - Yellow Safety Vests
The first of the three ANSI-approved safety colors is yellow-green, which is often referred to as "Safety Yellow" or just "Yellow."
Yellow safety vests are also commonly used in recreational activities, such as biking or hiking. When worn in these settings, they can help keep the wearer visible to others, preventing accidents or collisions. Additionally, safety yellow is popular in other industries, such as parking attendants, crossing guards, emergency services, and more.
Again, yellow is one of the most common color options for safety vests, and you can easily find a yellow vest in any class and type combination.
The second of the three ANSI-approved safety colors is orange-red, often called "Safety Orange" or just "Orange."
The road construction industry is a big fan of "Safety Orange." You see it on the road signs, the cones, the waterfilled barriers, traffic barrels, and even the machinery is often painted orange. Safety vests are no exception. You'll notice a lot of orange vests amongst highway and roadway crews.
Additionally, orange safety vests are commonly worn by surveyors and airport personnel. They are designed to provide maximum visibility and contrast with workers' surroundings, even in low light or foggy conditions.
Outside of work zones uses, orange safety vests are also commonly used by hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts. Wearing an orange vest can help prevent accidental shootings by making the wearer more visible to others in the area.
Red Safety Vests
The third and final ANSI-approved safety vest color is red, sometimes called "Safety Red."
Red safety vests are used to indicate workers and responders who are in potentially hazardous situations, such as firefighters or emergency responders.
Red safety vests are commonly worn by firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and other emergency responders. They are designed to provide maximum visibility while also indicating a worker's role and level of authority. The bright red color of the vest can be easily recognized, even in smoke or other hazardous conditions, which helps workers and visitors identify the person responsible for ensuring their safety.
In addition to their use in emergency response, red safety vests are also sometimes used in industries such as manufacturing or construction. The bright red color of the vest can be used to indicate workers who are working with or near potentially hazardous materials, where safety is of the utmost importance.
Green Safety Vests
You don't often see a lot of vests in "safety green," not to be confused with "safety yellow," which is a neon yellow that can sometimes be confused with a light green. Actual green vests are a darker shade of green, and they are not ANSI approved. These vests can be used in situations where an ANSI-approved vest is not required, but additional safety and visibility are encouraged.
Green safety vests are sometimes used by safety personnel, such as first aid providers, safety officers, and security guards.
Green safety vests are popular in situations where different groups of people need to be easily and quickly identified. In a large-scale emergency response situation, specific response teams will wear a green vest, while others wear blue, and so forth
In addition to their use in the workplace, green safety vests are also commonly used in outdoor activities, such as hiking. Wearing a green vest can indicate that a person is an outdoors guide, park ranger, or other types of outdoor safety personnel.
Blue Safety Vests
Similar to green safety vests, you aren't going to see these used in an official capacity. Blue safety vests are not approved by ANSI but can be used in a situation where an approved vest is not required.
Blue safety vests are sometimes worn by beach lifeguards and pool attendants and generally indicate an official position near water. In this capacity, the vest is not serving to create better visibility of the wearer to keep the wearer safe, but rather better visibility to allow individuals who need help to identify the vest wearer as a person of authority. The bright blue color of the vest can be easily recognized, even from a distance, which helps workers and visitors identify the person responsible for ensuring their safety.
In addition to their use in water-related industries, blue safety vests are also sometimes used in auxiliary positions in industries such as aerospace or aviation. The bright blue color of the vest can be used to indicate workers who are working with or near non-moving aircraft.
Again, similar to green vests, blue vests are used as an identification option when many different color vests are being used to differentiate response teams. Such as in a mass emergency response situation.
What makes a vest ANSI-approved?
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has established specific requirements for safety vests to ensure they provide the necessary level of protection and visibility. These requirements are outlined in the ANSI/ISEA 107 standard , which sets guidelines for high-visibility safety apparel.
As previously mentioned, the vest material needs to be a bright, fluorescent color. Specifically yellow-green (safety yellow), orange-red (safety orange), or red. The color must be visible in daylight and low-light conditions.
But that's not all; the material that the vest is made out of needs to meet some photometric minimums. Commonly vests are made of polyester, mesh, modacrylic, or similar materials. And the design of the vest need to meet minimum specification on how much high visibility material is used and how many reflective strips are used.
It's important to note that the ANSI requirements for safety vests vary depending on the level of risk in the work environment. For example, Class 1 vests are designed for low-risk environments, while Class 3 vests are designed for high-risk environments. Employers should evaluate the level of risk in their work environment and provide appropriate safety vests to their employees.
What are the OSHA requirements?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specific requirements for safety vests under their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) standards. In that standard, OSHA requires workers to wear the ANSI-approved vest we detailed earlier.
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OSHA requires that employers assess their workplace hazards to determine if workers need to wear high-visibility safety vests and, if so, to provide the appropriate vest for the job. Road workers on active highways require class III safety vests, while workers on local streets may only require class II safety vests.
OSHA requires employers to assess what PPE is needed and to provide the appropriate PPE, including safety vests, to their workers at no cost to the employee. OSHA also requires that employees wear the PPE provided by their employer and maintain it in a clean and functional condition.
Additionally, OSHA requires that employers train their workers on the proper use, care, and maintenance of their PPE, including safety vests.
How Can PowerPak Help?
Here at PowerPak, our specialty is on ANSI-approved vests, specifically safety yellow and safety orange. We have a wide selection of safety vests in those two colors in both class II and class III.
If you’re in construction, logistics, or any high-risk job, a safety vest isn’t just another piece of gear—it’s a necessity. Regulations require them, visibility saves lives, and the right vest can make your job a whole lot easier.
That said, picking the best one? Not as straightforward as you’d think. With different classes, materials, and features, it’s easy to get lost in the options (and end up with something that doesn’t actually suit your work).
Let’s address that, and in this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to choose the perfect safety vest—one that keeps you compliant, comfortable, and, most importantly, safe.
Who Actually Needs a Safety Vest?
Jobs that involve heavy machinery, fast-moving vehicles, or hazardous environments require safety vests. Being seen isn’t optional, but absolutely essential while working and the right safety vest can mean the difference between being noticed and being at risk. Perhaps the most important reason for the use of one is preventing accidents before they happen. That said, here are some of the industries that rely on safety vests:
- Construction & Roadwork – High visibility is vital when working near traffic or heavy equipment.
- Warehouse & Logistics – Helps workers stay visible in busy loading docks and storage facilities.
- Emergency Responders & Law Enforcement – Ensures visibility in high-risk, high-stress environments.
- Utility & Maintenance Workers – Often work near roads, in dimly lit areas, or during nighttime repairs.
Understanding Safety Vest Classes & Standards
Not all safety vests are created equal. And we’ve broken down specifications to understand before planning a safety vest purchase.
1. ANSI/ISEA 107 Standards: ANSI sets the classes for high-visibility safety apparel in the U.S and classifies them according to the risk level. Class 1 has the least amount of reflective material and is suitable for workers in low-risk environments where traffic doesn’t exceed 25 mph.
Class 2 vests have wider reflective strips and more fluorescent material, making them OSHA-required for workers exposed to traffic moving 25–50 mph. While Class 3 are for workers in high-risk environments—highways, emergency response, and night work. These vests cover more of the body (including sleeves in many cases) and are required where traffic exceeds 50 mph.
2. Enhanced vs. High-Visibility Vests: Both are often confused as the same, but they aren’t. High-visibility vests meet ANSI standards (Class 1, 2, or 3), as explained above, and are OSHA-approved for workplaces. Enhanced visibility vests, on the other hand, are used in environments where full compliance isn’t required, but extra visibility is still beneficial. In other words, they don’t meet ANSI standards but offer some added visibility for lower-risk settings.
3. Breakaway vs. Non-Breakaway Vests – A breakaway safety vest is exactly what it sounds like—it’s designed to tear away when pulled. These vests fasten with Velcro or snaps so that if they get caught on machinery, vehicles, or an aggressive situation (think law enforcement), they come off easily to prevent injury. Non-breakaway vests, on the other hand, are more secure and work best in low-risk environments. These are your standard zipper or hook-and-loop closure vests, great for warehouse staff, delivery workers, etc.
Key Factors to Consider When Buying a Safety Vest
Time to choose. Like we’ve reiterated above, not all safety vests are a fit for any industry. Below are some of the things to consider before saying yes to any safety vest.
1. Industry-Specific Needs
Poor visibility, avoidable accidents, and hefty fines aren’t worth it, so make sure your vest matches your job’s demands. For example, construction and roadwork crews should wear Class 2 or 3 vests to stay visible near traffic. Warehouse and logistics workers need lightweight vests with pockets for IDs, radios, or tools to keep essentials within reach. And if you’re in emergency response or law enforcement, breakaway vests are the safer choice, as they quickly detach if grabbed or caught in an emergency.
2. Visibility & Reflective Properties
Bright neon vest colors (yellow, orange, or green) each serve a different purpose. Construction workers, for example, put on the yellow vest to stand out against natural landscapes & machinery, meanwhile, traffic workers wear orange because it contrasts sharply against the road and vehicles, making them more noticeable to drivers. The retroreflective strips also ensure they’re seen in low-light or nighttime conditions by bouncing light back to its source.
3. Material & Durability
Safety vests come in different materials, and the right one should handle your job demands without falling apart. Here’s a quick comparison:
- Mesh vests are lightweight and breathable—perfect for hot weather or high-movement jobs like construction and logistics.
- Polyester vests are tough, water-resistant, and built for all-weather conditions.
- And while cotton-blend vests offer extra comfort for long shifts, they don’t hold up as well against moisture and wear compared to polyester.
4. Comfort & Fit
A safety vest that doesn’t fit right is a distraction at best and a hazard at worst. The right vest should be snug but not restrictive, allowing easy movement without slipping off or riding up. To get the right fit, measure your chest and torso while considering any layers you’ll wear underneath. You can also use the sizing chart below to find the best match.
Pro tip: If you wear bulky layers or need extra room for movement, size up. Adjustable straps also help ensure a comfortable, secure fit.
Is Your Safety Vest Actually Keeping You Protected?
Listen: your safety vest needs to work just as hard as you do, keeping the team protected. And picking the right one means considering visibility, durability, fit, and industry regulations. Anything other than this isn’t just ineffective but a liability.
So, what’s the move? Prioritize quality—-a high-visibility, well-fitted vest ensures you’re seen, safe, and able to focus on the job. And if you’re looking for reliable, compliant safety vests, International supply Partners has its own brand of compliant hi-vis vests with a range of options suitable for any work environment. At the end of the day, cutting corners isn’t an option as your safety is non-negotiable.
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