Standards and Regulations Regarding High-Visibility Classifications

High-visibility clothing is governed by both international standards and Swedish laws. The Work Environment Act sets the foundations, while authorities like the Transport Administration impose more detailed requirements.

EN ISO 20471 and EN471

EN ISO 20471 is the current European standard for high-visibility clothing. It replaced EN 471 in 2013.

All approved high-visibility clothing must be CE-marked and classified as personal protective equipment. The standard requires:

• Fluorescent material: Minimum area for each class
• Reflective bands: Width and placement
• Color choice: Yellow, orange, or red

Class 1 requires at least 0.14 m² of fluorescent and 0.10 m² of reflective material. Class 2 requires 0.50 m² and 0.13 m², respectively. Class 3 needs 0.80 m² of fluorescent and 0.20 m² of reflective material.

It is sometimes possible to combine garments from the same manufacturer to achieve a higher class. A class 1 garment plus a class 2 garment can together provide class 3.

The Work Environment Act and the Work Environment Authority

The Work Environment Act places the responsibility on the employer to create a safe work environment. If risks cannot be eliminated in other ways, the employer must provide the correct protective equipment.

The Work Environment Authority has regulations that specify when high-visibility clothing is required. AFS 2020:8 addresses details about personal protective equipment and high-visibility clothing.

The employer must:

• Conduct a risk assessment of the workplace and determine the need for high-visibility clothing
• Provide approved high-visibility clothing free of charge to staff
• Ensure that people know how to use and care for the clothing
• Check that the equipment is used correctly

The Work Environment Authority can inspect and require action if the regulations are not followed.

Transport Administration and Other Authorities' Guidelines

The Transport Administration has quite clear requirements regarding road work, and TDOK 2019:0053 applies. If you work on or near traffic, you must wear high-visibility clothing certified according to EN ISO 20471 class 3.

You therefore need:

• Class 3-certified high-visibility garments
• CE marking on all garments
• Approved color: Orange or yellow, nothing else

Municipalities can be even stricter and sometimes have their own rules. Many municipalities actually require class 3 for waste collection staff and park workers who work close to traffic.

In the construction sector, the National Board of Housing, Building and Planning's building regulations point to the same EN ISO 20471 standard. Ports and airports often have stricter requirements – class 3 is a must in certain areas.

Regarding emergency services and police, they have their own regulations, but they often lean towards EN ISO 20471 as a basis.

Different Protection Classes and Their Requirements

High-visibility clothing is divided into three classes according to EN ISO 20471. Each class has its measurements for how much fluorescent and reflective material is required.

It fundamentally concerns how visible you become in different light and environments.

High-Visibility Class 1: The Lowest Level

Class 1 is the entry-level model among high-visibility clothing. Here, at least 0.14 square meters of fluorescent area and 0.10 square meters of reflective area are required.

This is mostly for calmer environments where you have good awareness of your surroundings. Typical users are people in warehouses, doing simple construction service, or small road works.

Class 1 clothing is often vests, t-shirts, or caps. The reflectors are usually placed in horizontal bands to give the body some shape.

High-Visibility Class 2: Enhanced Protection

Class 2 means more visibility thanks to larger areas of high-visibility material. Here, at least 0.50 square meters of fluorescent and 0.13 square meters of reflective material are required.

This class is suitable where traffic is more intense or where there is a lot of movement. Common examples include railway work, airports, and municipal maintenance.

Class 2 clothing often consists of both upper and lower parts – a jacket and trousers, for example. The reflectors are placed both horizontally and vertically, so you are visible from multiple angles when moving.

High-Visibility Class 3: The Highest Level of Protection

Class 3 is the pinnacle of protection – at least 0.80 square meters of fluorescent and 0.20 square meters of reflective material. This is for maximum visibility, regardless of light conditions.

This is required where vehicles travel fast, such as on highways, airfields, or railway tracks. There is rarely a chance to avoid danger if you are not visible.

The clothing covers the entire body – upper body, arms, and legs. The reflectors are strategically placed so that you are visible from all directions, even on sleeves and legs to indicate movement.

Materials and Function in High-Visibility Clothing

High-visibility clothing works thanks to two things: fluorescent material for daylight and reflectors for darkness. How well they function depends a lot on how they are cared for and used.

The Role of Fluorescent Materials

Fluorescent materials make you visible during the day by converting UV light into visible light. This is what gives the bright color.

The most common colors are:

• Orange – stands out against greenery
• Yellow – most visible against dark asphalt
• Red – most common on railways

However, it only works when there is UV light, meaning daylight or certain lamps. Under LED lighting or in total darkness, it loses its effectiveness. The efficiency is measured in luminance factor according to EN ISO 20471.

The Importance of Reflective Materials and Reflectors

Reflective materials do their job when light hits the clothing directly, such as from car headlights. Retroreflective bands send the light back towards the source – you can be seen from a distance.

It involves small glass beads or prisms that bend the light. Performance is measured in candela per lux per square meter (cd/lx/m²). High-quality reflectors last longer and are more visible in the dark.

How the reflectors are placed is important. Horizontal bands around the body and vertical bands over the shoulders make it clear that it is a person.

The Impact of Dirt, Washing, and Wear on Visibility

Dirt and wear can significantly impair both fluorescent and reflective functions. Dust and grease on the reflectors can reduce visibility dramatically – sometimes by up to 80 percent.

Fluorescent materials fade from UV light and lose color over time. Incorrect washing can accelerate this – too hot water, strong detergents, and fabric softeners are not good.

Regularly checking the clothing is important. Replace them when the color has faded or the reflectors have cracked and peeled.

Use of High-Visibility Classifications in Different Work Environments

High-visibility classification varies depending on the risk level and how close one is to traffic or machinery. The employer is responsible for ensuring that the level of protection is appropriate for the environment.

Workplaces with High Visibility Requirements

Class 3 visibility is a must where the risk of accidents is high. At airports, this applies to ground staff near aircraft and vehicles. Ports also require class 3 for people handling containers or working near heavy machinery.

In industries with cranes and large machines, visibility is crucial, especially among autonomous or remotely operated vehicles. Railway maintenance is perhaps among the toughest environments – trains come quickly and the margins are small.

There, EN ISO 20471 class 3 is not something to compromise on.

High-Visibility Clothing for Road Work and Traffic Environments

In road work, at least class 2 is required according to the Transport Administration. Workers near or on the road are exposed to vehicles traveling at various speeds. Reflectors should be positioned both horizontally and vertically for the best effect.

Waste collectors and park workers in the municipality almost always wear class 2. They move a lot among traffic, so it makes sense.

In poor visibility conditions, such as in tunnels or during bridge work, the protection must be even better. Fog, rain, and darkness make it difficult to see – CE-marked high-visibility clothing according to DS/EN ISO 20471 becomes absolutely vital.

The Employer's Responsibility and Consequences of Non-Compliance

The Work Environment Act states that the employer must provide the correct protective equipment. The Work Environment Authority monitors that the correct high-visibility class is used. If the regulations are not followed, there may be fines or work stoppages.

It is also the employer's job to ensure that the clothing is certified and intact. Worn reflectors or faded material no longer do the job.

Insurance companies may deny compensation if the wrong class is used in an accident. It is essential to keep track of both training and equipment to remain on safe ground.

Questions and Answers

High-visibility classifications always raise questions – both from managers and employees. It is easy to become confused about laws, regulations, and what the union actually thinks about the matter.

What Are the Most Common Misunderstandings About High-Visibility Classes?

A common misunderstanding is that high-visibility classes automatically determine who gets laid off first. In reality, high-visibility classes are mostly used as a basis for negotiations between employers and unions.

People sometimes think that long tenure always protects against layoffs, but it is not that simple. Swedish legislation actually allows for certain exceptions to the order of dismissal rules.

It is also easy to believe that all companies must follow the same rules regarding high-visibility classes. However, the regulations can differ depending on the size of the company and the industry in question.

How Are High-Visibility Classes Explained According to Swedish Legislation?

The Employment Protection Act (LAS) categorizes high-visibility classes based on length of employment and type of employment. Permanent employees rank ahead of temporary employees in the order of dismissal.

Within the same type of employment, employees are sorted according to how long they have been employed in total. This applies even if they have held different roles within the same company.

Employers are sometimes allowed to make exceptions for individuals who are particularly important to the business. However, there must be valid reasons, and exceptions cannot exceed two per ten laid-off employees.

What Does High-Visibility Classification Mean for Employees' Rights and Obligations?

Employees have the right to know their placement in the order of dismissal when a layoff is announced. They can also request to see the entire order of dismissal list to verify that everything is correct.

Those who are laid off have the right to transition support and can demand priority for reemployment. For most, this right lasts for nine months after the layoff.

One must still perform their job during the notice period. Additionally, they are expected to seek new employment and participate in transition activities.

How Do High-Visibility Classes Affect Companies' Personnel Management?

High-visibility classifications require employers to keep track of all employees' lengths of service and types of employment. HR needs to maintain proper records to ensure the order of dismissal is correct.

Companies are forced to think long-term about personnel reductions since the order of dismissal rules set certain frameworks. This can impact both strategic planning and how they invest in skills development.

Organizations also need to be prepared for negotiations with the union. Such discussions can really drag on and affect how the process ends.

How Can Information About High-Visibility Classes Be Correctly Interpreted to Avoid Myths?

It is always best to read the official information from the Employment Service or the Work Environment Authority, rather than listening to rumors. The authorities update their guidelines and interpretations quite frequently.

If uncertain, contact the union or a lawyer to clarify what applies in one’s own situation. Advice from the internet or colleagues may be outdated or simply incorrect.

It can also be wise to read the collective agreement carefully, as there may be exceptions to the usual rules. Many industries have their own agreements that alter the order of dismissal rules.

What Role Do Trade Unions Play in Handling Layoffs and Their Classes?

Trade unions have the right to negotiate the order of dismissal. They can challenge the employer's proposals and sometimes come up with their own alternatives.

Often, they suggest things like short-time work or further training instead of layoffs. It seems reasonable that they want to find solutions that work for more people.

Union representatives usually scrutinize the order of dismissal lists closely. They want to ensure that laws and collective agreements are actually followed.

If any decision seems wrong or even discriminatory, they can appeal. It is not always easy to know what is right, but they try nonetheless.

Organizations often provide support to members who are affected. This can involve counseling or assistance in finding new job opportunities.

Sometimes this support continues even after the layoff has taken effect. It is probably comforting to know that one is not completely alone.