All You Need to Know About High-Visibility (Hi-Vis) Clothing
High-visibility clothing is essential for staying safe on the job. But with so many colours, styles, and classes available, how do you choose the right Hi-Vis gear for your working environment? Here’s everything you need to know.
Which Hi-Vis Colour Should You Choose?
You might have seen Hi-Vis vests and jackets in unexpected colours – blue for parking attendants, pink for horse riders – but these are not suitable for construction or industrial settings.
- Fluorescent Yellow: The most common Hi-Vis colour, ideal for indoor work such as warehouses, factories, or construction sites. Yellow stands out in low-light conditions, making it perfect for poorly lit environments.
- Fluorescent Orange: Best for outdoor jobs in rural or wooded areas, where yellow might blend in with grass or foliage. Rail workers often wear orange so they are clearly visible to train drivers from a distance.
Some Hi-Vis clothing combines two colours – usually a fluorescent top with a darker bottom. This not only helps indicate your work zone but also keeps dirt and grime less visible.
Understanding Hi-Vis Classes
Hi-Vis clothing is categorised into three classes to indicate levels of visibility:
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Class 1 – Low-Level Protection: Includes two-tone vests or garments with at least 0.14m² of fluorescent material and 0.10m² of reflective material. Suitable for low-risk work in safe environments.
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Class 2 – Mid-Level Protection: Vests and jackets with 0.50m² fluorescent fabric and 0.13m² reflective material. Ideal for moderately high-risk areas like roadside or outdoor work.
- Class 3 – High-Level Protection: Maximum visibility for high-risk work. Includes jackets, long-sleeve sweatshirts, T-shirts, and vests with 0.8m² fluorescent material and 0.2m² reflective fabric.
Colours such as red, pink, green, blue, and black may have reflective strips, but without fluorescent material, they do not meet Hi-Vis standards and are not suitable for most workplaces.
Choosing the Right Hi-Vis Workwear
Selecting the right Hi-Vis gear is about matching colour, class, and design to your working environment. For outdoor, rural settings, orange is safer. Indoors or in low-light areas, yellow is best.
Explore our Hi-Vis Collection to find jackets, trousers, vests, and more. We stock top-quality workwear from trusted brands including Helly Hansen, Xpert, Tuffstuff, and Hoggs of Fife, ensuring you stay visible, safe, and comfortable on the job.