When it comes to safety on the jobsite, visibility is just the beginning. While ANSI standards help ensure hi-vis vests meet visibility requirements, color-coding adds another layer of organization, communication, and role clarity. From construction crews to large event staff, knowing what each vest color means can prevent confusion—and even accidents.
For more information, please visit Wei Guang.
???? Here’s a breakdown of the most common safety vest colors and what they often represent:
________ ___
???? Primary Use: Construction, roadwork, traffic control, utility work
???? Why It’s Used: Neon yellow (sometimes called lime) is one of the most visible colors in daylight and low light. It’s the standard for most field workers and those who need maximum visibility near moving vehicles.
Often Worn By:
• Roadside crews
• Warehouse workers
• Surveyors
• General laborers
Shop all yellow safety vests here!
________ ___
???? Primary Use: Flaggers, traffic directors, equipment operators
???? Why It’s Used: Orange stands out well in forested or construction-heavy environments and signals caution. It’s often used where workers need to stand out against yellow equipment or signage.
Often Worn By:
• Traffic flaggers
• Crane operators
• Heavy machinery drivers
• Emergency responders
Shop all orange safety vests here!
________ ___
???? Primary Use: Site visitors, short-term contractors, non-certified personnel
???? Why It’s Used: Blue vests are typically not ANSI-rated and are used to distinguish non-essential personnel who must stay in specific zones. It helps supervisors quickly identify who should or should not be in restricted areas.
Often Worn By:
• Interns
• Inspectors
• Clients or guests
• Volunteers
Shop all blue safety vests here!
________ ___
???? Primary Use: Temporary visibility or to avoid confusion with main teams
???? Why It’s Used: Pink vests are often used as spares or to call out someone in a special role. They're also helpful when yellow or orange is already in heavy use. In some companies, they are used for safety monitors or even disciplinary identification.
Often Worn By:
• Temporary staff
• Safety observers
• Special project leads
• First-time workers
Shop all pink safety vests here!
________ ___
???? Primary Use: Site supervisors, upper management, or branded staff
???? Why It’s Used: While not ANSI-rated, black safety vests are often used for team leads, high-ranking staff, or brand representatives.
Black vests offer a clean, professional look—especially in event management or warehousing—where visibility isn’t critical but identification is.
Often Worn By:
• Foremen
• Project managers
• Private security
• Branded corporate staff
Shop all black safety vests here!
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Orange Safety Vest.
________ ___
On busy jobsites, color-coded vests provide instant context:
• ???? Visual clarity for supervisors managing multiple teams
• ???? Access control for safety in restricted areas
• ???? Task-based coordination (e.g., all electricians wear orange)
• ???? Quick identification in emergency situations
Even if your worksite follows ANSI Class 2 or Class 3 standards, adding a color system can improve communication and efficiency.
________ ___
Color-coded safety vests aren’t just about style—they’re a critical tool for jobsite safety and management. Whether you're overseeing a construction zone, managing an outdoor event, or coordinating subcontractors, having a system in place for vest color assignments can prevent confusion and keep operations running smoothly.
???? Need help choosing the right colors for your team? Browse our full range of high-visibility safety vests today.
Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on new products and much more!
The most important reason is that they improve visibility. Construction workers are often working in close proximity to heavy machinery and other potential hazards. Wearing a safety vest helps to make them more visible to operators of these machines, which can help to prevent accidents. In addition to increasing visibility, safety vests also provide a level of protection from potential injuries. Vests are typically made from high-visibility materials that can help to deflect or absorb impact in the event of an accident.
There are many different types of construction safety vests available on the market, each designed to meet specific needs. Some vests are equipped with reflective strips or other features that make them even more visible in low-light conditions. Others may be made from heavier-duty materials that offer more protection from potential injuries. When choosing a construction safety vest, it is important to select one that is appropriate for the specific job site and work conditions.
Construction safety vests are also known as hi-vis vests, reflective vests, or simply safety vests. No matter what they are called, they serve an important purpose on the job site. Wearing a vest can help to improve visibility and provide a level of protection from potential injuries. When selecting a vest, it is important to choose one that is appropriate for the specific work conditions.
Most people recognize the standard orange safety vest, but different colors serve different purposes:
Safety vests are one solid color, usually fluorescent yellow or green. However, you may also see safety vests that are two-toned, with a fluorescent coloured background and a reflective silver stripe running down the center. These vests are called Ansi Class 2 or Ansi Class 3 vests, depending on the width of the reflective stripe.Class 2 vests have a minimum reflectivity of 201 square inches, while Class 3 vests have a minimum reflectivity of 310 square inches.
The different classes of safety vests are designed to provide visibility at different distances. A Class II vest will be visible from farther away than a Class I vest, but not as far away as a Class III vest.Class III vests are typically only worn by workers who need to be visible at very long distances, such as highway construction workers.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) have developed ANSI/ISEA 107, Performance Requirements for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear. The standard establishes minimum requirements for design, materials, construction and performance of garments intended to provide conspicuity to workers who are exposed to hazards posed by moving vehicles or machinery during daytime and nighttime conditions.
There are three classes of garments recognized by the standard: Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3. The appropriate class of garment must be worn depending on the level of risk present. For example, a worker who is at risk from low-speed vehicles or working in dimly lit areas would wear a Class 1 garment, while a worker who is at risk from high-speed vehicles or working in complete darkness would wear a Class 3 garment.
There are also two types of garments recognized by the standard: Type O and Type P. Type O garments are intended to be worn over the top of other clothing, while Type P garments are designed to be worn as part of a multi-piece system that includes pants, jacket, and vest.
ANSI/ISEA 107 establishes minimum requirements for the design and performance of high-visibility safety apparel. The standard does not address issues such as colorfastness, flammability, durability, or comfort. These factors should be considered when selecting a garment for use in a particular application.
No, OSHA does not require safety vests on construction sites. However, OSHA does have a general requirement that employers must provide workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect them from job-related hazards. PPE includes items such as gloves, eye and face protection, hard hats, and respiratory protection.
While safety vests are not required by OSHA, they may be necessary to protect workers from certain hazards present on construction sites. For example, if workers will be exposed to moving vehicles or machinery, they should wear high-visibility clothing to increase their chances of being seen by drivers. When selecting PPE for workers, employers should consider the tasks that workers will be performing and the potential hazards they will be exposed to.
Wearing a construction safety vest is an important part of keeping workers safe on the job site. Vests provide visibility and protection from potential hazards, making them an essential piece of safety equipment for any construction worker. With so many different types of vests available, there is sure to be one that meets the specific needs of your job site. Be sure to choose a vest that is visible, durable, and comfortable to ensure the safety of all workers on the job site. Thanks for reading! We hope this blog post has helped to explain why do construction workers wear safety vests.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Construction Hi Vis Vest.