High-visibility workwear regulations in the UK

Where personnel frequently work nearmoving vehicles ormachinery, in low light, or challenging weather conditions, high visibility (hi-vis) workwear offers critical protection.

Whether you are an employee or employer working in industries where worker visibility is essential, understanding the rules surrounding high-visibility workwear, why it is important, and how to be compliant with official guidance is important.

This comprehensive guide provides essential compliance guidance on hi-vis clothing, along with practical tips for keeping your workers safe.

Table of Contents

1. The legal foundations for hi-vis regulation
2. What regulations govern hi-vis workwear specifically?
3. Understanding the ISO classification system for hi-vis workwear
4. Hi-vis workwear responsibilities
5. The challenge of maintaining compliance
6. Lindström’s streamlined hi-vis compliance solution

1. The legal foundations for hi-vis regulation

A. Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA)

The Health and Safety at Work Act is broadly focused on protecting workers. It doesn’t explicitly mention hi-vis clothing, but it does place a general duty on employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare at work of all their employees. This includes:

• providing a safe working environment
• safe systems of work
• adequate information, instruction, training, and supervision.

More information on the HSWA (1974):
Health and Safety Executive website: Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

B. Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR)

Thisis related legislation which states more clearly and precisely what employers’ responsibilities are under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Chief among these is the requirement for employers to conduct risk assessments to identify and evaluate potential hazards in the workplace.

In sectors such as construction, manufacturing, transportation, and logistics, where employees may be exposed to low-light conditions or moving vehicles, the risk assessment might identify the need for high-visibility clothing as a crucial safety measure.

More information on the MHSWR (1999):
Health and Safety Executive website: Health and safety regulation: a short guide

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2. What regulations govern hi-vis workwear specifically?

A. The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992

What it is: The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 require employers to provide suitable PPE to their employees free of charge, when risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means.

This includes situations where high-visibility clothing is necessary to protect workers from hazards such as low light conditions or moving vehicles.

The regulations also place responsibilities on employers to ensure the PPE is properly maintained and that employees are trained in its correct use.

Why it is important: The PPE at Work regulations establish a clear responsibility for employers to assess risks and provide the necessary protective equipment that enables a safer working environment.

How compliance is ensured:Employers must conduct risk assessments to identify the need for hi-vis clothing and ensure it is appropriate for the specific tasks and hazards present in their workplace.

They must then provide the necessary hi-vis garments to their employees, ensure they are maintained in good condition, and offer training on their proper use and care.

For example, a construction company operating near a busy road would need to provide its workers with hi-vis clothing that meets the required standards and train them on how to wear it correctly to ensure their visibility to oncoming traffic.

Find out more:
Health and Safety Executive website: Using personal protective equipment (PPE) to control risks at work

B. EN ISO 20471:2013

What it is: EN ISO 20471:2013 is the international standard that sets out the requirements for high-visibility clothing. It specifies the design, performance, and testing criteria for garments intended to signal the user’s presence visually, particularly in high-risk situations.

The standard covers aspects such as the use of fluorescent and retroreflective materials, garment design, and classification into different levels of visibility.

Why it is important: By setting benchmarks for the quality and effectiveness of hi-vis garments, the standard ensures consistency and reliability when garments are manufactured, giving employers and employees confidence in the protective gear sourced from suppliers.

How compliance is ensured: Garments must incorporate fluorescent materials for daytime visibility and retroreflective materials to reflect light in low-light or nighttime conditions.

Hi-vis isseparated into three classes based on the level of visibility they provide, and as defined by EN ISO 20471:2013. The amount of surface area covered by fluorescent and reflective material varies, depending on the level of visibility needed.

• Class 1: The lowest level of protection, suitable for relatively low-risk environments.
• Class 2: An intermediate level offering enhanced visibility.
• Class 3: The highest level of protection; ideal for high-risk work situations, such as near busy roads.

Manufacturers must abide by this standardised tier system when designing and distributing hi-vis for retail. Employers need to ensure they source the right class of hi-vis workwear for their workers, based on a risk assessment.

Find out more:
International Organization for Standardization website: High visibility clothing — Test methods and requirements

For an overview of the differences between hi-vis classes, refer to section 3 below.

C. UKCA and CEcertification

What it is: The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking is a UK product marking used for certain goods, including PPE such as hi-vis clothing, placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales).

It indicates that the product conforms to relevant UK legislation and safety requirements. Following Brexit, it was introduced to provide an alternative to the CE marking for goods placed on the GB market.

However, the UK government has confirmed that CE marking will continue to be recognised in Great Britain indefinitely for most product categories covered by this approach, including PPE. This allows businesses to use either the UKCA or CE marking for these products.

Why it is important: The UKCA and CE certifications ensure regulatory compliance and product safety standards. They provide assurance to consumers and employers that the hi-vis clothing they purchase meets the necessary requirements for health, safety, and environmental protection.

How compliance is ensured: Manufacturers of hi-vis clothing must allow their products to undergo a conformity assessment process to demonstrate compliance with UK regulations. Once compliance is established, they can affix the appropriate marking to their products, along with necessary documentation and labelling.

Employers, in turn, should look for the UKCA or CE markings when purchasing hi-vis clothing to ensure they are providing their workers with compliant and safe PPE.

Find out more: GOV.UK website:
Using the UKCA marking (guidance)
CE marking (guidance)

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3. Understanding the ISO classification system for hi-vis workwear

EN ISO 20471:2013 specifies the amount and placement of fluorescent background material for daylight visibility, and the size and coverage of reflective tape to enhance visibility in low light and darkness. Three levels of protection are specified, based on working conditions:

Class 1:
	[APPLICATION] Suitable for workers in low-risk environments, such as warehouses, working on private roads or areas with minimal vehicle movement. [REQUIREMENT] A minimum of 0.14 m² of background fluorescent material and 0.10 m² of reflective material
Class 2:
	[APPLICATION] For situations involving moderate risk, and where changing conditions (weather; daylight) may affect visibility, such as workers on or near A and B class roads, and for delivery drivers who require moderate visibility. [REQUIREMENT] A minimum of 0.50 m² of background fluorescent material and 0.13 m² of reflective material
Class 3:
	[APPLICATION] Required for high-risk environments, such as working on motorways, dual carriageways, waste collection, railways, or at airports, where maximum visibility is essential. [REQUIREMENT]Must have a minimum of 0.80 m² of background fluorescent material and 0.20 m² of retroreflective material. Garments must cover the torso and include sleeves with reflective bands or full-length trouser legs with reflective bands to ensure full 360-degree visibility.

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4. Hi-vis workwear responsibilities

Both employers and employees have specific responsibilities to ensure compliance with hi-vis regulations and maintain workplace safety. Below are some common questions that help to explain what those responsibilities are.

A. Employer responsibilities

Q: When am I required to provide hi-vis workwear to my employees?
A: You must provide hi-vis workwear free of charge when a risk assessment identifies that employees are exposed to hazards that cannot be adequately controlled by other means.

Q: How do I choose the right hi-vis clothing for my employees?
A: The hi-vis clothing you select must comply with the EN ISO 20471:2013 standard and be appropriate for the specific risks identified in your workplace risk assessment.

The class of hi-vis clothing required will depend on the level of visibility needed.

Q: What are my responsibilities for maintaining hi-vis workwear?
A: You need to establish a system for regular inspections of hi-vis clothing to check for damage, wear, or fading.

Any garments that no longer meet safety standards should be replaced. You also need to ensure that hi-vis clothing is properly cared for according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Q:Do I need to provide training on hi-vis workwear?
A: Yes, you must provide your employees with information and training on the proper use, care, and storage of hi-vis clothing. This includes instructions on when and where it should be worn.

B. Employee responsibilities

Q: When am I required to wear hi-vis clothing?
A: You must wear hi-vis clothing as instructed by your employer, especially in designated areas where it’s essential for visibility and safety.

Q: What should I do if my hi-vis clothing doesn’t fit properly?
A: If your hi-vis clothing is ill-fitting or uncomfortable, report this to your employer so they can provide you with a suitable replacement.

Q: How should I care for my hi-vis clothing?
A: You should regularly inspect your hi-vis clothing for any signs of damage or wear and tear. Report any issues to your employer promptly. It’s also important to follow the care instructions provided to maintain the effectiveness of the garment.

Q: What if the hi-vis clothing provided isn’t suitable for my tasks?
A: If you believe the hi-vis clothing you’ve been given isn’t appropriate for the tasks you perform or the conditions you work in, communicate this to your employer. They have a responsibility to ensure you have suitable PPE.

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5. The challenge of maintaining compliance

Ensuring consistent compliance with hi-vis workwear regulations can be a complex and demanding task for businesses. The intricacies of navigating the standards, managing procurement and maintenance, and staying abreast of regulatory changes can strain resources and divert focus from core operations.

The complexities arise from several key challenges:

• Understanding and adhering to regulations:Businesses must ensure hi-vis clothing complies with EN ISO 20471:2013 standards, which can be complex due to varying class requirements depending on the risk assessment.
• Managing procurement costs: The initial investment in purchasing hi-vis workwear, especially for a large workforce, can be substantial.
• Ensuring proper maintenance: Hi-vis garments are subject to wear and tear, requiring regular inspections, repairs, and replacements to maintain compliance. Ensuring proper laundering and care to preserve reflective properties adds another layer of complexity.
• Staying up-to-date with regulations: The regulatory landscape can evolve, and businesses need to stay informed and adapt their practices to remain compliant.

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6. Lindström’s streamlined hi-vis compliance solution

Lindström understand the complexities of ensuring workplace safety, which is why the hi-vis workwear in our HiVisPro collection is designed and manufactured to meet the highest health and safety standards.

But we go beyond just supplying garments. Lindström’s workwear rental service offers a comprehensive solution to the challenges of sourcing, providing and maintaining hi-vis workwear, providing businesses with a hassle-free way to ensure their workforce is equipped with safe, compliant, and well-maintained equipment.

• Cost-effectiveness: By eliminating the need for large upfront investments and offering predictable monthly costs, our rental service frees up capital and simplifies budgeting.
• Professional maintenance: Our expert laundering and maintenance services ensure that hi-vis garments remain in optimal condition and compliant with safety standards, reducing the burden on your business.
• Compliance assurance: We guarantee that all rented hi-vis workwear meets the latest EN ISO 20471:2013 standards, is fully certified, and satisfies the legal requirements for PPE, giving you peace of mind that your employees are protected.
• Sustainability: Our commitment to sustainable practices, including recycling and reducing textile waste, aligns with corporate social responsibility goals and helps minimize your environmental impact.
• Range: Our hi-vis collection includes a broad selection of clothing types for a variety of work activities, including hi-vis jackets, overalls, trousers, and t-shirts, all made to withstand the harshest of conditions.
• Happy workforce: We ensure a comfortable fit with a professional image. By partnering with Lindström, you can demonstrate a commitment to best practice in workplace health and safety, while ensuring your employees remain safe and highly visible.

By choosing Lindström‘s workwear rental service, you can focus on your core business while ensuring your employees are equipped with the highest quality industrial workwear. Our service not only streamlines compliance but also offers cost savings, professional maintenance, and a commitment to sustainability.

Get in touch with our team today to learn about our HiVisPro collection and how we can tailor our hi-vis workwear service to your needs.