When working around heavy traffic or in low-light environments, recognizing and identifying workers in a work zone is critical. High visibility (hi-vis) clothing is considered essential personal protective equipment (PPE) in these challenging work environments and will carry an ANSI/ISEA class rating for visibility.
These are just of few of the many hi-vis shirts we will highlight below.
Most people think of hi-vis clothing as being worn for emergency services. However, multiple industries rely on keeping workers seen with hi-visibility clothing. And, during the hot summer months, nothing feels better than ditching the vest and just wearing a lightweight, hi-vis t-shirt. You'll find hi-vis shirts worn on construction sites, by utility workers, surveyors, railway workers, airport workers, highway workers, and many others. Don't forget about cyclists, motorcyclists, and runners, too. They may not be working on the job, but they still need protection!
MCR Safety offers a wide range of hi-vis t-shirts and button-down hi-vis shirts made from various materials. We offer both Class 2 and Class 3 shirts in a multitude of different designs. Are you wondering what Class 2 means? No worries, in this article, we're about to fill your head with all the hi-vis knowledge you're ever going to need.
Now, let's get you seen!
What Is High-Visibility PPE Clothing?
Hi-vis clothing helps keep workplaces safer by making workers more visible for all to see. Hi-vis clothing is made using luminescent-colored fabrics that make the wearer easily discernible from any background. It is offered in colors such as lime green, yellow, orange, and pink.
Most workers wear hi-vis protection in the form of safety vests, shirts, and jackets. However, you will also find hi-vis clothing available as pants, rainwear, and FR coveralls.
Simply put, a bright, vibrant, and reflective shirt keeps work crews noticeable by all those in the area. When workers are not seen, they're not safe and are at risk from others.
Reflectivity
Being visible to drivers who may not be aware of what's going on around them is critical. When working around moving vehicles, operating equipment in low-light environments, or directing vehicle traffic, the sooner someone sees you in their path, the safer it will be for both of you. When you are seen immediately, the operator has more time to safely maneuver their vehicle out of the way and avoid a potentially fatal accident. Being seen is essential across numerous sectors because of the vast number of moving vehicles operating in the work zone at all times.
Whenever you see MCR Safety's Luminator™ brand, you know you're getting the best protection for working in dangerous low-light environments.
Regarding reflectivity, the reflective tape found on a hi-vis product helps reflect the source light. It's located on hi-vis clothing to help reduce accidents and improve the overall level of safety. With fewer accidents occurring, fewer people are injured or, even worse, lose their lives due to not being seen.
Fluorescent Background Colors
MCR Safety offers a wide variety of t-shirts and safety vests in various colors, sizes, and styles to fit most high-visibility applications. Colors such as fluorescent orange and fluorescent lime green emit the highest amount of visible light, making them popular choices for safety garments. Both colors easily stand out in any environment and any weather conditions.
Combining high-quality retro-reflective material with a variety of fluorescent background colors offers our customers some of the highest visibility products available to keep them safe in low-light and complex environments.
Standards
The American National Standard Institute (ANSI) established the ANSI/ISEA 107 standard to provide industries with performance guidelines around high-visibility safety apparel. The standard defines three classes of visible clothing; each higher-class rating protects workers with higher visibility. The standard provides users with guidance in selecting one hi-vis garment over another one.
Just remember, as with most standards, the higher a product's rating, the better protection you will be wearing.
Performance Class
Below is a breakdown of the two most popular ANSI high-visibility performance classifications.Due to the limited differences between Class 1 and general-purpose safety vests, MCR Safety elects only to manufacture rated vests starting at Class 2.
- Class 2 visibility is for workers in low-light environments and heavy traffic. When traffic exceeds 25 mph and below 50 mph, Class 2 rated vests are considered ideal. OSHA recognizes highway/road construction work zones as areas where workers are potentially exposed to being struck by the vehicles operating near them. Anyone acting as a flagger, laborer, or survey crew in these areas would wear a Class 2 rated vest. A general-purpose vest or Class 1 vest doesn't meet the hazards these workers face.
- Class 3 visibility is for workers in dangerous high-traffic areas working in poor light conditions. An example would include those working in snowy conditions on a busy road. Workers are operating where vehicles travel more than 50 mph should be wearing a Class 3 rated vest. Most heavy traffic areas mentioned in Class 2 should consider wearing a Class 3 vest, as additional reflective materials only help to identify other workers better and more quickly.
OSHA guidance on types of jobs and performance classification.
One more perk of high-visibility clothing: these easily recognizable garments and accessories communicate a level of authority in situations where an area has restricted access. Everyone recognizes high-visibility gear as work clothing and understands that people who wear it are there to do a job, separating employees from other bystanders.
ForceFlex® - Our Best Hi-Vis Shirt
MCR Safety's t-shirts are ideal for those who need a lightweight and comfortable, high-visibility option. The new FFLTC3SL safety series garments are made of a breathable polyester birdseye mesh moisture-wicking fabric, perfect for all-day wear. Moisture-wicking ensures you stay cool, even when what's around you heats up.
ForceFlex® tape provides more significant worker body movement when compared to traditional tapes. As you'll notice, none of our other hi-vis t-shirts offer as many features as our ForceFlex® shirts. When you want a shirt that fits as expected, performs, is stylish, and keeps you safe, just think ForceFlex®. Check out MCR Safety's line-up of hi-vis shirts below.
FFLTC3SL – Product features include:
- ANSI/ISEA 107 Type R, Class 3 Compliant: Highest rated visibility
- 100% Polyester Birdseye Mesh Fabric: Helps to draw away moisture, creating an evaporation effect
- 2" Silver ForceFlex Reflective Stripes Centered on 3" Orange Stripe: Stylish pattern provides unique visibility
- Black Color in High-Wear Areas: Hides soiling
- Lower Inside Microfiber Patch: For cleaning glasses
- Flat-Stitched: Provides extra comfort
- Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) 50: Blocks 98% of the sun's rays and acts as a sunscreen
FFSTC2SL – Class 2 ForceFlex shirt
Class 3 Hi-Vis Moisture-Wicking Long-Sleeve Shirts
When you are working around some hazards, like wet cement or poison ivy, you need your arms covered. Exposed arms are likely to get injured. However, for those working during the summer, you also need relief from hot weather. All of the hi-vis shirts shown below are made of breathable polyester birdseye mesh fabric designed to keep you cool and perfect for all-day wear. This shirt's wicking properties help draw away moisture, creating an evaporation effect to keep workers dry and comfortable.
Those who find themselves working in the hot sun all day long should strongly consider wearing a moisture-wicking shirt. Working in the heat causes one to sweat a lot. With these shirts, you'll stay cooler, drier, and more comfortable all day.
LSTSCL3MO – Features of this long-sleeve shirt include:
- ANSI/ISEA 107 Type R, Class 3 Compliant: Highest rated visibility
- 100% Polyester Birdseye Mesh Fabric: Breathable with wicking properties
- Soft and Light: Offers all-day comfort
LSTSCL3ML – Lime version
Class 2 Moisture-Wicking Shirts
When you are required to wear high-visibility work shirts, you want to feel comfortable. MCR Safety's Class 2 t-shirts are similar to our Class 3 styles; they just don't have long sleeves or the reflective material on the arms. Having open arms will provide wearers with increased levels of comfort. We highlight three of our top-selling styles below.
All the styles shown below feature moisture-wicking technology, which provides increased comfort, airflow and quickly dries moisture from shirts. Anyone living in the deep coastal South should be wearing these styles in very hot, sunny, and humid conditions. You cannot beat these shirts for working out in the heat, as they breathe much better than standard polyester shirts.
STSCL2MSL – Product features include:
- ANSI/ISEA Class 2, Type R Compliant
- Shaded Torso Front: Hides soiling
- 100% Polyester Birdseye Mesh Fabric: Breathable with wicking properties
- Short-Sleeve Pullover Style: Easy donning and doffing
- Left Front Pocket: Offers additional storage
STSCL2MO – Performance features include:
- ANSI/ISEA Class 2, Type R Compliant
- Shaded Torso Front: Hides soiling
- 100% Polyester Birdseye Mesh Fabric: Breathable with wicking properties
- Short-Sleeve Pullover Style: Easy donning and doffing
- Left Front Pocket: Offers additional storage
STSCL2ML – The lime version of STSCL2MO
Made with Polyester Material
MCR Safety's polyester hi-vis t-shirts are ideal for those who need a lightweight and comfortable high-visibility option. Polyester is an excellent fiber choice in hi-vis shirts because it resists fading. Polyester is also exceptionally durable, so polyester and poly-blend shirts stand up to the wear and tear of work.
Our hi-vis polyester shirts are lightweight and don't quickly fade, though they are less absorbent than cotton. We break down our styles by class rating below. Some are looking for a hi-vis shirt that they would casually wear at home. Well, we've made that style, too.
Let's show you all your options.
Class 3 Hi-Vis Polyester Shirt
WCLTCS2O– Performance features include:
- Dual Certified: ANSI/ISEA 107 Type R, Class 3 Compliant and CSA Z96-2015 Class 2
- 2" Silver Reflective Stripes Centered in 4" Lime Stripes: Increased overall reflectivity
Class 2 Hi-Vis Polyester Shirt
STSCL2SL – Product features include:
- Short-Sleeve Pullover Style: Easy donning and doffing
- Left Front Pocket: Offers additional storage
- The Feel and Comfort of Cotton: Comfortable breathability keeps you fresh throughout the day
Non-ANSI Rated / General-Purpose
STSL - Product features include:
- No Reflective Material: Cost-effective hi-vis option
Class 3 FR Shirt
We are continually adding new PPE styles to our product offerings, ensuring workers are protected with only the best. Our latest edition is a hi-vis long sleeve shirt. Whether you're working in the rugged oil and gas industry or spending your day working near electrical hazards, you will be seen in an MCR Safety hi-visibility FR work shirt.
S1CL3L
The S1CL3L shirt meets ANSI 107 Type R Class 3 hi-visibility standards and is made of flame-resistant Westex Ultrasoft® fabric. Here are some other core features:
- Sewn with Nomex® FR Thread and Double-Needle Reinforced: Increased longevity
- Longer/Extended Back Length: Stays tucked in when bending over, limiting exposure to the mid-section and keeping the worker protected
- Two Chest Pockets and a Pencil Pocket: Prevents items from falling out
Logo T-Shirts – A Hi-Vis Shirt with Logo
Wouldn't it be great if you could put your logo on your work t-shirts? You've come to the right place, as MCR Safety can add a logo to any hi-vis t-shirt we offer. Imagine all your workers wearing easy-to-see hi-vis apparel and advertising your company at the same time. No problem! Security guards and law enforcement customize their gear, why can't a construction company or manufacturing facility do the same?
Printed logos look terrific on the left front area of most garments. For those who prefer a larger logo, those generally look better on the back of a garment. Although every logo you add to a garment is an additional cost, you'll be amazed at how inexpensive customizing PPE can be. And it may pay for itself in advertising for your company, so don't let cost deter you from promoting on both sides!
Common Questions
What shirt colors are allowed as Class 1 hi-vis?
- Fluorescent yellow-green, fluorescent orange-red, and fluorescent red are the three colors allowed under ANSI 107-2015. Hi-vis yellow-green is the most popular one sold, followed by orange-red. It's essential to choose colors that contrast from a worker's environment.
Is red allowed as a class 1 hi-vis shirt?
- Fluorescent orange-red is allowed under ANSI 107-2015. MCR Safety offers general-purpose hi-vis shirts; then, our line jumps up directly to Class 2 rated garments.
How do I get grease out of hi-vis shirts?
- Do not use bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Good cleaning products to consider spot cleaning grease include OxiClean, Shout, Zout, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, and Fels Naptha Soap. After treating the grease stain directly, machine wash the shirt in cold water. Do not dry clean.
How do I wash my hi-vis yellow shirt?
- Always wash hi-vis clothing in cold water on a gentle cycle. Turn shirts inside out to avoid damaging the reflective stripes. Use mild detergent and don't use bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or fabric softener. Tumble dry on low or line-dry whenever possible. Do not iron or dry clean hi-vis garments.
How do I remove stains from hi-vis shirts?
- Never scrub the color-enhanced fabrics on hi-vis shirts, which can create a worn appearance and lower the reflectivity. Instead, gently wipe stained areas using a clean, dry cloth, and a mild stain remover that is marked safe for bright colors and does not contain bleach.
What shirts are considered hi-vis?
- High-visibility clothing is made of brightly colored fabrics and reflective materials that make the wearer more visible in all conditions, including dark or low-light conditions and inclement weather.
Will peroxide ruin hi-vis shirts?
- Hydrogen peroxide, commonly used as a stain remover and disinfectant, is not suitable for hi-vis shirts. It can yellow the fabric and reduce reflective effectiveness.
Do you have to wear a hi-vis vest if you are wearing a bright shirt?
- A shirt has to be more than bright to be considered hi-vis. Garments are considered high-visibility if they are highly luminescent, meet ANSI/ISEA 107 standards, and make the wearer easily discernible from any background. If your shirt doesn't do this, you'll need to wear a hi-vis vest.
Who makes the best hi-vis shirt?
- MCR Safety's hi-vis PPE offers the best protection for those working in dangerous environments. We continue to raise the bar with new garment technology, adding countless options over the past five years. Our safety hi-vis gear utilizes the ANSI 107-2015 as the standard for ensuring you're seen at work.
Stay safe and seen!
Across all of MCR Safety's hi-vis products, we are raising the bar with new garment technology. From flame-resistant and arc-rated hi-vis gear to flame-resistant rain suits and shirts made with wicking material to insulated hi-vis rain gear and hi-vis gear made with silver reflective stripes, we're developing ANSI/ISEA-rated PPE to keep you seen and safe at work.
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For over 45 years, MCR Safety has proven to be a world leader in gloves, glasses, and garments. Whether it's on the shop floor, an oil rig, or a construction site, we are there to provide solutions to workplace hazards. It's all part of our commitment to protect people.
No matter your industry, we have the personal protective equipment you need.
Learn more about MCR Safety by checking out our most recent video. For more information, browse our website, request a catalog, find a distributor, or give us a call at (800) 955-6887.
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