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Class 2 Safety Vests vs Class 3 Safety Vests

Class 2 Safety Vests vs Class 3 Safety Vests

Choosing the right high-visibility gear isn't just about following rules. It's about making sure every worker returns home safely. At The Safety Source, we know that the distinction between ANSI Class 2 and Class 3 vests can sometimes feel like a "technicality," but those technical differences are what save lives in high-risk zones.

 

At The Safety Source, we supply vests that meet industry standards, from various well-known manufactures:

Cordova Safety Products

Class 2 Safety Vest for Standard Work Zones

Class 2 vests are the "workhorse" of the safety industry. They are designed for environments where workers are near traffic, but the risks are moderate.

 

When to Use It: Ideal for traffic moving between 25 mph and 50 mph.

Who Wears It: Survey crews, airport ground staff, crossing guards, and roadway construction workers in lower-speed zones.

The Design: These garments require at least 775 square inches of background fabric (fluorescent lime or orange) and 201 square inches of reflective material. They are usually sleeveless, providing 360-degree visibility around the torso and shoulders.

Class 3: Maximum Visibility for High-Stakes Environments

When the speed of traffic increases or visibility drops, Class 2 isn't enough. Class 3 apparel is engineered to make the wearer look like a "human silhouette" from a distance, giving drivers more time to react.

 

  • When to Use It: Required for areas where traffic exceeds 50 mph or in extremely low-visibility conditions (like night work, heavy rain, or fog).

  • Who Wears It: Highway construction crews, emergency responders, and utility workers on high-speed roads.

  • The Design: These are "larger" garments, requiring 1,240 square inches of background fabric and 310 square inches of reflective tape.

  • The Key Differentiator: To meet Class 3 standards, a garment must have sleeves with reflective bands. The added visibility on the arms ensures that a worker’s movement is recognizable even from 1,280 feet away.

Feature Class 2 Safety Vest Class 3 Safety Apparel

Traffic Speed

25 – 50 mph

Over 50 mph

Background Fabric

 

775 sq. inches

1,240 sq. inches

Reflective Tape

201 sq. inches

310 sq. inches

Standard Design

 

Sleeveless / Vest

Must include sleeves

Best For

 

Toll booths, parking, airports

 

Highway repair, night shifts

Shop Class 2 and 3 Safety Vests at The Safety Source

Radians SV6-2ZOM Two Tone Surveyor Type R Mesh Safety Vest Hi-Vis Orange (Class 2)

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Radians SV27-2ZGM Multipurpose Surveyor Type R Safety Vest (Class 2)

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PIP 302-0650D ANSI Type R Two-Tone Mesh Vest Black Bottom (Class 2)

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PIP 302-0500S ANSI Type R Two-Tones Surveyors Vest Yellow (Class 2)

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Pyramex Safety RVZ3620 Mesh Surveyor Vest Orange (Class 3)

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Pyramex RVZ3710B Mesh Surveyor Vest Lime (class 3)

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PIP 305-HSVPFR ANSI Type R FR Treated Lime (Class 3)

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PIP 303-0500M ANSI Type R Class 3 Two-Tone (Class 3)

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