Highways Agency Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works
Produced by the Highways Agency for all its contractors working on main or trunk roads in the UK. "All those working on or near the roads should wear high visibility warning clothing (Class 2 or 3) complying to EN 471 paragraph 4.2.3(b). ‘Shall have two horizontal bands of retroreflective material not less than 50mm apart from around the torso and bands of retroreflective material joining the uppermost torso band from the front to the back over each shoulder’. In addition on motorways or other high speed roads full length sleeved garments should also comply with paragraph 4.2.4 ‘Full length sleeves’".
EN 471 Garment Classifications
Garment types are grouped into three classes based on the conspicuity provided, with the classes dictating the minimum quantities of background and retroreflective materials to be used.
CLASS 3: Highest Protection Level
Bands of retroreflective material shall not be less than 50mm wide. Minimum background material 0.80m2. Minimum retroreflective material 0.20m2. A revised version of EN471 was published in March 2004. One of the major changes in this version is that horizontal reflective bands can now have an incline of +/-20º.
Typical Class 3 Jacket
CLASS 2: Intermediate Protection Level
Bands of retroreflective material shall not be less than 50mm wide. Minimum background material 0.50m2. Minimum retroreflective material 0.13m2.
Typical Class 2 Waistcoats
CLASS 1: Lowest Protection Level
Where enhanced visibility is an advantage, but for minimal risk/off road purposes only. Bands of retroreflective material shall not be less than 50mm wide. Minimum background material 0.14m2. Minimum retroreflective material 0.10m2.