What is the Top Recommended Hi-Vis Clothing for Railway Workers?

Hi-vis clothing is essential for railway workers - but not just any hi-vis. To work trackside in the UK, your clothing needs to comply with a specific set of rules.

In this article, we’ll explain what makes hi-vis rail workwear different and why it’s so important - and give you our top recommendations.

Why hi-vis clothing is so important for railway workers

Working on railways and HS2 is a dangerous job. From laying tracks to carrying out infrastructure maintenance, from surveying to clearing vegetation, the role requires close proximity to high-speed trains and live electrical equipment.

Lineside work takes place around the clock, including at night or in low light conditions. Rail-specific hi-vis workwear is vital for personal safety, as it provides enhanced visibility. The bright orange clothing ensures train drivers can see workers in time to sound their horns in warning.

Rail hi-vis clothing is also important for legal compliance, as it must meet the RIS-3279-TOM standard set by the Rail Safety and Standards Board. And it gives workers and infrastructure operators peace of mind that all possible steps have been taken to keep the site safe.

What makes a hi-vis garment suitable for railway workers?

For a hi-vis garment to be permitted on a UK rail site, it needs to meet specific conditions. As a baseline, it must conform to EN 20471 (Class 2 or 3), which is the standard for hi-vis clothing across all industries.

On top of that, it has to meet the rail-specific RIS-3279-TOM standard. This mandates a particular shade of fluorescent orange (no yellow or red hi-vis allowed) with precise chromaticity and luminance.

Why orange? It was chosen primarily to prevent any confusion with signalling colours. Orange also provides a strong contrast against the backdrop of a railway line, including trackside vegetation, cuttings, and sidings.

RIS-3279-TOM-compliant rail clothing must meet either Class 2 or Class 3 of EN 20471. These are the two higher classes of visibility. (Class 1 garments are not permitted.)

Class 2 is the minimum requirement for rail work, with Class 3 usually mandated by infrastructure operators for the highest-risk roles. Class 3 garments provide full-body coverage, such as full-length trousers and long-sleeved tops.

In some cases, you can combine items from different classes in order to meet the required classification. Always check your site’s requirements with the operator.

Garments in both classes must adhere to the minimum required surface areas for fluorescent and reflective material, as set out by EN 20471:

They must also meet EN 20471 requirements for the photometric and physical performance of the retro-reflective material.

RIS-3279-TOM specifies that the shade of orange for railway hi-vis must have chromaticity coordinates of X:0.588 and Y:0.371, and a minimum luminance factor of 0.4.

To be sure that your hi-vis garment is compliant, check that the label or certificate references RIS-3279-TOM as well as EN ISO 20471.

Talking point: RIS-3279-TOM was created by the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) and came into force in 2017. It replaced the older GO/RT 3279 standard, which duplicated existing European railway legislation. The current active version is RIS-3279-TOM Issue 2.

Do only railway workers have to wear railway-compliant hi-vis clothing?

No. Rail spec hi-vis is mandatory for all personnel working in the “lineside” area of a UK railway site. This includes supervisors, contractors, and non-railway maintenance workers, as well as occasional visitors such as surveyors.

The RSSB defines lineside as “between the boundary fence and the point called ‘on or near the line’.” Station platforms don’t count, so platform staff don’t have to wear RIS-3327-TOM clothing (unless they’re carrying out engineering or technical work within 1.25 m of the platform edge).

The rules maintain consistency across the site, and ensure that all lineside personnel are sufficiently visible to train drivers. Compliant workwear also enables site wardens and lookouts to see if anyone is in an unauthorised location.

What railway hi-vis clothing is available?

Railway hi-vis clothing includes various garment types, allowing rail workers to choose the right combinations for their role and the weather conditions. The following rail-spec items are available at Start Safety:

• Trousers (including salopettes and overtrousers)
• T-shirts and polos (short and long sleeves)
• Jumpers
• Jackets (including insulated, softshell, and waterproof)
• Overalls
• Shorts
• Vests

Note: Our collection includes EN 20471 Class 2 and Class 3 items - always double-check which class you need before buying.

As well as conforming to RIS-3279-TOM, some of our rail hi-vis workwear will also protect you against arc flash - a high risk on electric railway lines - and extreme heat or flame if your role involves welding or hot works.

Blaklader's arc flash workwear is mentioned in this video:

We also sell anti-static rail workwear (certified to EN1149), which provides extra protection for signal engineers or electrical technicians, plus chainsaw-specific orange hi-vis for those tackling lineside vegetation.

The hi-vis brands and garments we recommend for your railway hi-vis clothing needs

A number of our popular brands sell railway hi-visibility clothing, with plenty of options for warm and cool weather. Here’s what we recommend for railway workers:

Pulsar

Pulsar’s rail wear collection includes a sweatshirt that protects against fire and arc flash, and also has a brushed inner for warmth. The anti-static coverall is extra-safe for electrical work, while the overtrousers offer the highest level of waterproofing and breathability - ideal for working outdoors.

Mascot

The Mascot Accelerate Safe range offers a lightweight, stretchy jacket that will retain its shape and colour after repeated industrial washes. If your role permits you to wear shorts, Mascot’s Class 2 model will keep you compliant (sizes 31.5 and above). Pair them with a smart polo with vertical and horizontal reflective tape.

Supertouch

Our Supertouch Essentials range includes cost-effective options, with vests from as little as £2. The 4-way stretch CoolAir trousers feature moisture-wicking fabric and breathable mesh for comfort in the heat, while the sustainable Eco CoolAir T-shirt has flexible reflective tapes to help you move freely.

Snickers

In the depths of winter, the Snickers ProtecWork insulated jacket provides water and wind resistance as well as fire retardancy. The detachable hood is suitable for wearing with a helmet, while extra reflectives on the shoulders enhance visibility from above.

Blaklader

Blaklader’s coverall will also keep you dry, and features an easy-access one-way zip from collar to leg. When the weather turns sunny, we recommend the long-sleeved UV-protective polo shirt with its temperature-regulating fabric. Blaklader also offers trousers specially designed for female rail workers.

Stein

If your role involves using a chainsaw, we recommend the Stein Sentinel chainsaw trousers in Design C for all-round protection. These are made from rip-stop multi-stretch base material with flexibility and abrasion resistance.

Above: The Snickers jacket, Stein chainsaw trousers, and Pulsar sweatshirt described in this article.

Discover all the railway hi-vis workwear you need to stay safe

Working on or near a railway track? You’ll need orange hi-vis clothing that complies with RIS-3279-TOM as well as EN 20471. Rail hi-vis is critical for safety and legal reasons - and you can find everything you need at Start Safety.

Explore our extensive (and ever-growing) collection of railway-compliant hi-visibility workwear, including jackets, shirts, and trousers, and make sure you stay safe when working on UK trainlines.

Any questions? Our friendly sales team will be happy to help.