BEST HIGH-VISIBILITY JACKETS FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

With so much to consider just to buy a work coat, it’s clear that there is no single best high-visibility jacket for every construction worker. The best worksite gear for you is the gear that matches your needs, your working conditions and the climate. That being said, there are still some common features that that make certain styles ideal for construction workers, such as material that doesn’t compromise your ability to get the job done right and extra pockets for your gear.

This article explains some of the regulations for high-visibility safety workwear, tips for getting the right level of safety gear for your jobsite and reveals the most popular high-visibility jackets from RefrigiWear.

Who Sets the Rules for High-Visibility Safety Workwear?

Several different government agencies have set forth (and govern) standards associated with high-visibility (HiVis) safety apparel to help improve working conditions for construction workers, law enforcement officers and other professionals working in hazardous conditions. In the U.S, these agencies include the Federal Highway Administration, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). In Canada, the Canadian Standards Association sets standards for high-visibility safety workwear.

Each of these organizations helps determine which professionals must wear HiVis apparel, what is defined as HiVis apparel and the different types of HiVis apparel. For example, the Federal Highway Administration requires that all workers, including emergency responders, who are exposed to traffic or work vehicles and in construction zones must wear high-visibility apparel that’s approved by ANSI under the Class 2 or 3 requirements.

What Kind of High-Visibility Jacket Do I Need?

The very best thing you can do before selecting a piece of high-visibility gear is to check with your state’s department of transportation, which will usually be able to provide you with a list of PPE you must wear on the job. This will help ensure compliance and worksite safety.

If you are required to meet specific ANSI classes, make sure you know which of the the four different classes you need:

CLASS 1 high-visibility gear should be worn by those whose work requires undivided attention to traffic that doesn’t exceed 25 mph, with ample room between workers and cars. The background should not be complex.

CLASS 2 high-visibility gear should be worn in inclement weather and areas with more complex backgrounds. It’s also appropriate for road workers who may have diverted attention, who work closer to traffic and who work around vehicles traveling at more than 25 mph.

CLASS 3 high-visibility garments are best for workers who are exposed to vehicles traveling at high speeds, in areas where visibility may be compromised or when operating equipment near pedestrians. Those in this class must be conspicuous through a full range of body motions and easy to identify as a person.

CLASS E high-visibility garments are those that only meet ANSI requirements when they are worn with either a class 2 or class 3 garment. As such, class E apparel consists usually of shorts, pants, or bibs.

In addition to workplace regulations, make sure you’re thinking about other factors when you’re selecting the right construction work outerwear. When you work outside, you need to make sure that you’re wearing is right for the weather. HiVis jackets come in options for all sorts of inclement weather, including cold, rain, snow and wind. You won’t be able to perform your job properly if you don’t select the safest weather-appropriate high-visibility apparel for your environment.

Best High-Visibility Jacket for Extreme Cold

The Extreme Softshell Jacket from RefrigiWear is the best high-visibility jacket for working in extreme cold conditions. This extra-warm high-visibility jacket will keep you protected, without slowing you down, down to -60°F. No, that’s not a typo. This jacket can handle the most extreme cold conditions.

Stand out in low visibility with the added safety gear that meets ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 - Type R, Class 3 and CSA Z96 - Class 2, Level 2 standards. The ultimate HiVis protection in extreme cold, the HiVis Extreme Softshell Jacket is your best line of defense. It's reflective tape is bonded, not sewn, so it won't tear or snag against tools or machinery.

Best High-Visbility Jacket for Below-Freezing Temperatures

The HiVis Insulated Softshell Jacket from RefrigiWear is the most popular jacket for construction workers who must work outside in the winter. Keep out extreme winter-weather elements with this water-repellent and wind-tight high-visibility jacket. The 100% polyester soft outer shell and the silver twill reflective lining protect you from even the most brutal cold for optimal insulation.

Built-in 2-inch silver reflective tape and a reflective X shape on the back ensure that your coworkers will be able to see you, even in a raging blizzard. This jacket meets ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 - Type R, Class 2 and CSA Z96 - Class 2, Level 2 standards.

Best High-Visibility Jacket for Near-Freezing Temperatures

Heavy-duty work is no match for this lightweight coat. The HiVis Softshell Jacket is lighter and more comfortable than your standard safety jacket while still giving you the durability and protection you expect from RefrigiWear. Get all the benefits without all the bulk.

Comfort rated for temperatures as low as 20°F, this safety jacket also meets ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 - Type R, Class 2 and CSA Z96 - Class 2, Level 2 standards.

Best High-Visibility Jacket for Working in the Rain

Deadlines don’t change just because of rain, so having a good set of high-visibility raingear is vital. The HiVis 3-in-1 Rainwear Jacket has an outer jacket that is entirely waterproof, keeping you guarded from rain and traffic splash. The inner jacket provides warmth when the temps drop. Wear either alone or pair them up – customize your protection to the conditions.

Designed to meet ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 - Type R, Class 2 and CSA Z96 - Class 2, Level 2 standards, this high-visbility rain jacket is also designed to keep you dry, warm and safe on the job.

Best Lightweight High-Visibility Work Jacket

The HiVis Diamond Quilted Jacket from RefrigiWear combines the lightweight comfort of a quilted barn jacket with HiVis materials for a jacket that gives you comfort, durability and safety all in one.

Thanks to a strong outershell quilted over 180g industrial-strength insulation, this high-visibility work jacket is thinner and tougher than a box-store work jacket, so you can handle the toughest jobs, even when it's 30°F outside.

Shop Warm, Durable Workwear for Construction Jobs

Construction workers endure some of the most dangerous and demanding working conditions imaginable. It only makes sense that they need to toughest, safest gear they can wear—and sometimes the warmest since they work even in the deepest, darkest depths of winter.

From working at heights and risking high-level falls to making roadway repairs that require them to work next to speeding vehicles, there’s seemingly nothing construction pros won’t do to get the job done right. Since working in construction means days spent around traffic, heavy machinery and other equipment that can be unsafe in poor visibility, it’s vital that you have the right high-visibility gear to keep you protected.

Construction work may be risky, but it is also rewarding. Construction workers build the foundations of our communities and enjoy solid salaries, great benefits and relatively diverse day-to-day opportunities. Additionally, with the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), the risk of on-the-job injury or death is drastically reduced. One of the key pieces of PPE for road workers is, of course, the high-visibility jacket.