A revised national standard for high-visibility safety apparel aims to improve fit for smaller workers who wear reflective vests around traffic and moving equipment.
The update, ANSI/ISEA 107-2026, was released this week. It expands an allowance for reduced fluorescent background material, which previously applied only to a manufacturer’s smallest size, to cover sizes through medium for certain garments worn by road crews and others exposed to traffic.
The change gives manufacturers more flexibility to design garments for smaller workers while keeping the standard’s visibility requirements in place.
A vest that is too large can snag, restrict movement or shift reflective material out of position, weakening the protection it is meant to provide.
More than 45 million U.S. workers wear high-visibility vests, according to the International Safety Equipment Association. The update affects workers in construction, utilities, road work and other industries that rely on high-visibility apparel.
