Quick answers
Why do emergency responders wear high visibility clothing?
So drivers can see them at accident scenes and in smoke, rain or darkness. Being seen early is often what keeps a responder from being hit.
How does high visibility clothing work by day and at night?
Fluorescent yellow, orange or lime green stands out in daylight. Retroreflective strips bounce light back to its source, so they shine in headlights in poor light or darkness.
Which hi-vis standard applies in India?
IS 15809:2017 covers high visibility warning clothes, and BIS lists a Quality Control Order for it. ANSI/ISEA 107, often quoted online, is a US standard.
How should hi-vis clothing be cleaned?
As the maker advises. Dirt, grime and wear dull the reflective strips, so check them with a torch and replace the garment when they stop shining.
Can hi-vis clothing be worn with firefighting gear?
Yes. Crews may wear a hi-vis vest over their kit or use reflective strips on the kit itself, along with cones, barricades and lights at the scene. Make sure no bag or breathing set covers it.
If you have ever stopped at a highway accident at night, you know how hard it is to see a person standing beside a car in the glare of headlights. That is why traffic police, fire crews, ambulance staff and road workers wear high visibility clothing. Being seen is often what keeps them from being hit.
Here is how hi-vis works, how to pick the right one, and how to keep it working.
Why being seen matters
Responders work in smoke, rain, dust and darkness, often right next to moving traffic. A driver who spots them earlier has more time to slow down and steer clear. Hi-vis gives that early signal, at a road accident, a fire scene or while directing traffic.
Types of hi-vis clothing
You will find vests, jackets, coveralls and shirts. The right one depends on the job, how much traffic is around and how dark it gets.
Fluorescent colours and reflective strips
Hi-vis does two different jobs. Fluorescent colours such as yellow, orange or lime green stand out in daylight against trees, roads and buildings. Retroreflective strips bounce light straight back to its source, so they shine in headlights at night or in poor light. You need both.
Indian and US standards
In India, hi-vis garments are covered by IS 15809:2017, High visibility warning clothes. BIS lists a Quality Control Order for this standard as notified and implemented from 8 October 2023, so look for the BIS Standard Mark when you buy.
Many articles, including the earlier version of this page, quote ANSI/ISEA 107. That is a US standard, set by the American National Standards Institute and the International Safety Equipment Association. It sorts garments into three classes.
- Class 1 is the lowest level, for low-risk work where traffic is slow.
- Class 2 is for work with a higher risk of being struck by vehicles.
- Class 3 is the highest level, for fast traffic and poor visibility.
Whichever standard your employer or authority asks for, the idea is the same. The faster the traffic and the poorer the light, the more hi-vis you need.
Who wears it
Fire and rescue crews, ambulance staff, traffic police, construction workers, road repair crews and airport ground staff all rely on it.
Wearing it with other PPE
Firefighters may wear a hi-vis vest over their firefighting kit, or have reflective strips on the kit itself. Either way, make sure nothing hides it. A bag, a raincoat or a breathing set worn over the vest can cover the very strips that make you visible. Near moving machinery, a loose vest can also snag, so choose one that fits.
Weather and comfort
Responders work through monsoon rain and summer heat. Waterproof hi-vis keeps you visible in a downpour, and breathable fabric means people actually keep it on. A vest that is too hot or too tight ends up lying in the jeep.
Cleaning and replacing
Dirt, grime and oil dull the reflective strips, and washing and wear slowly weaken them too. Clean hi-vis as the maker says. Every now and then, shine a torch on it in the dark. If the strips no longer light up, or the fabric has faded or torn, replace it.
Training and traffic control
Crews should know why visibility matters on their particular job and how to wear the gear properly. Hi-vis also works best alongside cones, barricades and flashing lights, with a vehicle parked to shield the crew from oncoming traffic. Put those in place before anyone starts work on the road, and keep someone facing the traffic as a lookout.
For your own car
Keep a hi-vis vest in your vehicle for every person who usually travels with you. If you break down or have a crash, put it on before you step out, switch on the hazard lights and stand well off the road or behind the barrier. Then call 112 and give the road, the direction you were travelling and the nearest landmark.
What needs attention
- Being seen is often what keeps a responder from being hit at a road accident scene
- Fluorescent colours work in daylight; retroreflective strips work at night in headlights
- Hi-vis garments come in classes, and higher classes suit faster traffic and poorer light
- Dirt and wear reduce how well the reflective strips work
- Hi-vis works best alongside cones, barricades and lights
Controls that reduce risk
- Keep hi-vis vests or jackets on every vehicle, enough for the whole crew
- Choose a garment class that matches the traffic speed and light
- Wash and inspect hi-vis as the maker says, and replace faded items
- Put cones, lights and a fend-off vehicle in place before working on the road
- Brief crews to face traffic and keep a lookout
- Check that hi-vis stays visible over other PPE
Common unsafe practices
- Working at a road accident scene without hi-vis
- Wearing a dirty or faded vest whose strips no longer reflect
- Covering the hi-vis with a bag, coat or breathing set
- Relying on hi-vis alone without cones or a fend-off vehicle
- Using a low-class vest beside fast highway traffic
- Wearing a loose vest near moving machinery where it can snag
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