Understanding EN 20471 Workwear Safety Standards

If you’ve been asked to purchase appropriate high-visibility clothing for work, you’ll have already run into the gauntlet of EN ISO 20417 and its various classes. It can initially seem complicated, but it’s pretty simple once you break it down.

So, what is EN ISO 20471 and what are the hi-vis clothing rules? In this article, we’ll answer those questions and more - and help you understand how the standard works.

What is EN 20471?

In short, it’s a set of standards that both the UK and the EU adhere to. These standards enable hi-vis workwear to be classified quickly and easily, and ensure that it provides suitable levels of protection for all working environments and risk levels.

The current version of the standard was introduced in 2013, replacing EN 471 as part of a process of aligning EU requirements with international ISO standards. It added stricter requirements for Class 3, plus more of a distinction between the types of risk situations.

Why is it important to understand EN 20471?

All EN 20471-compliant clothing gives you a level of protection by making you visible in both daylight and low-light conditions. But it’s essential that you wear the correct classification of hi-vis for your role.

Choosing a lesser specification may be the cheaper option, but it will compromise your safety in a higher-risk role. For instance, if you can’t be seen, you could be hit by a vehicle or heavy equipment - resulting in serious injury or death.

Apart from the safety aspect, businesses can face legal and financial penalties if workers don’t wear the appropriate hi-vis garments.

• Read more about the dangers of not wearing hi-vis.

Now let’s dive into some of the facts, details, and requirements that ultimately make workwear EN 20471 compliant.

The main EN 20471 requirements & hi-vis regulations in the UK

EN 20471 requires that clothing has both of the following components at a minimum;

• Retro-reflective bands: These silver bands of material allow workers to be seen clearly and easily in vehicle headlights and the lights of other equipment. They work by bouncing light directly back at the source. To the drivers of plant equipment and vehicles, this makes the bands appear as bright as their headlights, immediately highlighting them in the dark.

• Fluorescent / luminous material: EN 20471 requires that hi-visibility clothing MUST contain a certain percentage of either red, orange, or yellow luminous material. This helps workers stand out against grass embankments, tarmac, concrete, plant equipment, and other settings where they could easily vanish into the background.

Now that we know what EN 20471 requires of workwear, we can examine the standard's classes and potential use cases.

How many classes of high visibility clothing are there?

The short answer is three, but before you head off to work, you need to know which class best suits the task at hand. Your working conditions and location will dictate the most appropriate clothing class for the job.

EN ISO 20471 Class 1 requirements

EN 20471 Class 1 clothing should only be used in low-hazard environments, generally where vehicles are moving at speeds of up to 19 mph and where workers are well-separated from them. An example would be in a warehouse or factory where forklifts operate.

• Required reflective material: 0.10 m²
• Required fluorescent / luminous material: 0.14 m²

This clothing class also allows for a large portion of the workwear to be coloured navy or black. This can be useful for hiding stains and grime from dirty tasks such as cleaning waste tanks, maintaining vehicles, or sorting rubbish.

EN ISO 20471 Class 2 requirements

EN 20471 Class 2 garments are suitable for areas with an intermediate level of risk, such as those with higher levels of traffic where vehicles are travelling up to 25 mph.

Environments where this type of clothing may be required include logistics hubs, quarries, mines, and construction sites. Class 2 is also the minimum requirement for working on the UK railway (this clothing must comply with RIS-3279-TOM).

• Required reflective material: 0.13 m2
• Required fluorescent / luminous Material: 0.50m2

Most hi-vis trousers and short-sleeved polo shirts conform to this standard.

EN ISO 20471 Class 3 requirements

EN 20471 Class 3 hi-vis clothing is required in high-risk areas where visibility is low and vehicles are operating at higher speeds. This class is often worn on railway and roadworks sites.

• Required reflective material: 0.20 m2
• Required fluorescent / luminous Material: 0.80m2

It also requires that the worker's full outline is covered by hi-vis, which means full-length trousers and long-sleeved tops. Operators of excavators and other heavy plant equipment can then see this outline even at night or in tricky weather conditions.

It’s possible to achieve Class 3 by wearing two or more certified garments together - as long as the combined fluorescent and retro-reflective area is large enough to meet the class requirements.

Honourable mention - enhanced visibility

It should be noted that some brands offer “enhanced visibility” clothing. This fulfills many high-visibility clothing requirements, but doesn’t actually comply with EN ISO 20471.

These products still have their place, often in areas where health and safety legislation is unnecessary. For example, garage employees often wear uniforms with enhanced visibility - hi-vis may not be strictly necessary, but it gives that extra bit of contrast.

Hobby users such as joggers and cyclists also find this style more appealing, as they can show up on the roads without looking like construction workers.

What to look for when buying EN 20471:2013 high-visibility clothing

Before you make a purchase, follow these steps to ensure the garments you buy meet the relevant hi-vis safety standards and will be permitted on-site.

Shop with a trustworthy vendor

Some marketplaces sell clothing that purports to meet EN 20471 - but it’s actually non-compliant or fake. Look for a vendor with BSIF accreditation, as they’ll audit the resellers to ensure their products and their manufacturers' products do meet the required hi-vis standards.

Buy a trustworthy brand

Although an “unknown” brand name may be cheaper to purchase, will it deliver the long-lasting performance you need? Start Safety sells hi-vis clothing from established brands such as Blaklader, Pulsar, Mascot, and Snickers.

Check the label

Once you have your clothing in hand, check that it has the proper markings. All hi-vis clothing should include markings to indicate its standard and conformity. This may be displayed in various ways, but the most common is a diagram of a hi-vis vest with a number indicating the class.

Not all sizes are equal

Unfortunately, some clothing in smaller sizes (including ladies’ sizes) cannot achieve the required surface area coverage to meet the higher classes of EN 20471. This is because the areas of fluorescent and retro-reflective material are naturally lower on small garments.

However, if your role requires Class 3 coverage and your small-size garments only meet Class 2, you may be able to wear more than one Class 2 item in order to achieve Class 3. Always check this with the manufacturer.

Check with your site manager

Most work sites will stipulate what class of hi-vis workwear you need, meaning you don’t have to do the research yourself. (Employers must also pay for your PPE, including hi-vis garments, if a safety risk is identified.) If you’ve been asked to source your own clothing, always ask your manager before making a purchase.

Check the colour

Some sites require specific colours of hi-vis clothing to be worn, and may even prohibit other colours. This is typically the case on rail sites, where specific orange hi-vis is mandated because yellow or red clothing could be confused with signalling equipment.

RIS-3279-TOM

If you work lineside on UK railways, you’ll need to comply with this additional standard. Look for the RIS-3279-TOM logo alongside the EN 20471 standard on orange hi-vis garments.

Top tips to ensure your hi-vis clothing remains EN ISO 20471 compliant

You will have to replace your hi-vis clothing periodically, but these best practices will help to keep it EN ISO 20471-compliant for longer.

Follow the care instructions

Your hi-vis workwear will come with labels or instructions on how to clean it without causing damage - for instance, whether or not it’s suitable for industrial laundering. There will also be a “wash rating”, indicating how many times you can wash the item while maintaining compliance.

It’s important to keep your hi-vis clean, since dirt and staining can affect visibility. Read more in our hi-vis cleaning guide.

Store your hi-vis garments away from direct sunlight, and don’t hang them in a wardrobe or cupboard when they’re wet - allow them to dry naturally first.

Check regularly for defects

If the colour starts to fade, the reflective strips are peeling off or breaking down, or you find any rips or tears, inform your manager and request replacement clothing.

Ensure a good fit

Choosing the right size of hi-vis clothing will help it to last longer. For example, a jacket that’s too tight may rip at the seams, while too-large items may get snagged on equipment or trail in the dirt.

Meanwhile, adjusting your garments - such as turning up trousers or sleeves that are too long - can reduce the area of luminous material too much. It’s best to buy something that fits you properly in the first place.

Don’t obscure the hi-vis material

Following on from the previous point, take care that enough of the fluorescent or reflective material is visible when you wear the garments. If you require full coverage, don’t tuck trousers into your safety boots or put on a regular coat over a hi-vis vest. Company logos can also obscure too much of the fabric.

Find and buy all your EN ISO 20471 compliant hi-vis clothing with us

Hopefully, you now know a lot more about the hi-vis requirements of EN 20471 and why it’s important to wear the right class with the right amount of retro-reflective and fluorescent materials on show.

Ready to buy hi-vis clothing? Start Safety has a huge selection in stock, including everything from hi-vis trousers and jackets to overalls and even kilts. We have items with arc flash protection, and a range of women’s hi-vis.

Shop online or give our friendly sales team a call for more advice.