Class 2 safety vests are required to be worn when working in the vicinity where heavy machinery is being operated as well as working on a roadside project adjacent to motorists traveling over 25 mph, but less than 50 mph. In order to qualify as a Class 2 safety vest, it must have 201 square inches of retro-reflective material and 1.375 inch reflective striping. Class 2 safety clothing does not require sleeves.
If working alongside traffic traveling at speeds in excess of 50 miles per hour, a Class 3 safety vest must be worn. A Class 3 vest has an additional 109 square inches of retro-reflective material (301 square inches total) and also must have 2 inch reflective striping. Class 3 safety vests do have sleeves. The added reflective material ensures that anyone wearing one will be much more visible and is ideal for working in more dangerous areas.
Economy vests can also be found being sold by retailers. Depending on the seller, the word economy may have two different meanings. Some retailers use the word economy to imply that these safety vests are not very expensive. While other retailers across the nation will use the word economy to simply designate vests that do not meet ANSI Class 2 or Class 3 safety requirements.
