Visibility and safety in the workplace
In many occupations, good visibility is literally a matter of life and death. Employees working near vehicles, machinery or traffic are at extra risk if they are not properly conspicuous. To ensure that safety clothing meets clear standards, the EN ISO 20471 standard was developed.
This European standard sets requirements for high-visibility workwear, clothing that ensures wearers stand out in both daylight and artificial lighting in the dark. The standard divides clothing into three classes. In this blog, we take a closer look at EN ISO 20471 Class 1.
What does EN ISO 20471 Class 1 mean?
EN ISO 20471 Class 1 is the lowest classification within the standard for visible workwear. This does not mean that the clothing is unsafe, but rather that it is intended for work environments with relatively low risk.
Class 1 compliant clothing must have at least:
- 0.14 m² of fluorescent material (the colored part, such as yellow, orange or red).
- 0.10 m² of reflective material (the silver reflective stripes).
This combination provides basic visibility in situations with limited lighting or low speeds.
Where is EN ISO 20471 Class 1 used?
Class 1 safety clothing is designed for environments where vehicles or machinery move at low speeds (up to 30 mph). Examples include:
- Warehouses and distribution centers
- Internal transport zones
- Business parks with limited traffic
In these situations, Class 1 reflective workwear helps provide extra visibility without the need for heavy protection standards.
Why is this standardization important?
The image below shows a person in clothing certified as EN20741 Class 1.Â
High visibility clothing can make the difference between a safe work day and a dangerous situation. That is why it is important to choose the right class of safety clothing that fits the work environment.
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