A guide to hi-vis colours and their meanings

Hi-vis workwear is a must-have piece of kit in a lot of working environments. The fluorescent materials and reflective strips keep workers in sight and out of harm's way.

But not all hi-vis clothing can be used as PPE, and there are only three colours that comply with the EN ISO 20471 safety standard.

Knowing when each colour should be worn is essential for your team’s safety.

If you don’t know what each hi-vis colour means and when it should be worn, we’ve got you covered.

WHAT IS HI-VIS WORKWEAR?

Hi-vis workwear is designed to make workers visible in hazardous or low-light work environments.

Why’s it needed? Because a more visible team is a safer team.

This fluorescent gear keeps workers in sight and reduces their risk of experiencing workplace injuries.

Hi-vis boosts visibility in:

• Busy areas
• Low lighting
• Bad weather
• Hazardous environments

Industries and workplaces that require hi-vis PPE include:

• Airfields
• Railways
• Roadside work
• Construction sites
• Waste management
• Heavy machinery work
• Warehouses with forklift traffic

There are different types of PPE available to suit different working conditions and visibility needs.

Types of hi-vis workwear include:

• Waistcoats
• Trousers and shorts
• Polo shirts & t-shirts
• Jackets and stormcoats
• Sweatshirts and fleeces

Explore our hi-vis collection to find the right kit for your team.

WHAT IS THE BRITISH STANDARD FOR HI-VIS PPE?

All hi-vis PPE in the UK must comply with the EN ISO 20471 safety standard.

This standard sets the legal requirements for:

• Durability
• Reflective strips
• Visible surface area
• Background material colour

Only three hi-vis colours can be classified under the EN ISO 20471 standard:

• Fluorescent red
• Fluorescent yellow
• Fluorescent orange

Materials must be tested in line with the standard requirements for hi-vis garments to be used as PPE. This means the material colour has to be a specific shade of yellow, orange, or red.

Always check for a CE or UKCA mark on your hi-vis. Even if it looks like a compliant colour, it won’t be up to standard if there’s no certification label.

Want more of a deep-dive into the EN ISO 20471 standard?

We have a hi-vis regulations guide that covers everything you need to know to stay compliant.

HI-VIS CLOTHING CLASSES

As well as highlighting the legal hi-vis colours, EN ISO 20471 also splits hi-vis clothing into three different classes.

This makes finding the right level of visibility for your team easier.

Here’s a quick look at each class:

• Class 1 (basic) - Typically worn by construction workers, forklift operators, and warehouse staff.
  
• Class 2 (medium) - Protects waste collection teams, site visitors, and airport ground crews.
• Class 3 (maximum) - Improves visibility of roadside teams, railway workers, and people working in the emergency services.

NEED HI-VIS CLOTHING FOR RAILWAY WORKERS?

Railway workers need hi-vis workwear that is certified under the RIS-3279-TOM standard.

This standard states hi-vis workwear must:

• Be rated Class 2 or higher
• Cover a minimum surface area of the wearer’s body
• Have a material background colour in a specific shade of orange
• Include retroreflective tape that meets minimum width and brightness requirements

Railside workers must wear both hi-vis tops and bottoms to meet the RIS-3279-TOM standard.

At SMI, we stock railway-compliant hi-vis PPE.

Explore our collection or chat to our team for expert industry advice.

DO HI-VIS COLOURS MEAN ANYTHING?

With only three compliant options available, what do all the other hi-vis colours mean?

Hi-vis workwear in non-compliant colours is typically worn for easy staff identification. Even vests and jackets that don’t meet safety standards can still boost the wearer’s visibility.

Here’s a breakdown of the different hi-vis colours and their purposes:

HI-VIS COLOUR	WORN BY	COMPLIANT
Blue	Specific team members	No
Pink	Event marshals, specific staff members	No
Black	Security staff, event workers	No
Green	First aiders, maintenance staff	No
Fluorescent red	Fire and rescue teams, specialist engineers	Yes
Fluorescent yellow	Construction workers, warehouse operatives, factory workers	Yes
Fluorescent orange	Roadside workers, rail workers	Yes

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT HI-VIS WORKWEAR FOR YOUR TEAM

Still feeling confused about providing your workforce with hi-vis workwear? Let us help.

Before placing a PPE order, do a risk assessment of your team’s working environment.

This will help you to spot potential hazards and identify the level of visibility needed to keep your workforce safe.

Next, spend some time thinking about:

• Sizing - provide hi-vis PPE that offers a comfortable fit for all members of your team.
• Class level - make sure your hi-vis clothing provides the legally required level of visibility.
• Other PPE used - more visibility may be needed if hi-vis workwear is partially covered by other equipment.
• Certification - only order hi-vis PPE that has been tested and classified in line with the EN ISO 20471 standard.

All SMI hi-vis workwear is fully certified. Whether you need ladies' hi-vis PPE or fluorescent jackets for night workers, we’ve got you covered

HI-VIS MAINTENANCE TIPS TO KEEP YOUR TEAM SAFE

Hi-vis workwear needs to be well-maintained to provide maximum protection.

Keep hi-vis gear in top condition by:

• Washing at 40°C max
• Staying away from chemicals
• Using a mild washing detergent
• Avoiding direct sunlight when possible

Whatever colour hi-vis they’re using, make sure your team members know not to wear faded, dirty, or damaged kit.

NEED NEW HI-VIS PPE?

Choosing the right hi-vis colour for your team can be tricky.

The good news? You don’t have to figure it out on your own.

At SMI, we remove the guesswork from keeping your workforce safe and seen.

Need hi-vis workwear ASAP?
Call our team for a chat!

FAQS

Can you wear pink hi-vis?

Pink hi-vis clothing should only be worn for staff identification purposes. This colour hi-vis does not comply with the EN ISO 20471 safety standard.

Does it matter what colour hi-vis you wear?

Yes. If hi-vis is needed for safety purposes, only fluorescent yellow, orange, and red garments should be worn.

What are the legal hi-vis colours?

Three hi-vis colours comply with the legal safety standard:

• Fluorescent red
• Fluorescent yellow
• Fluorescent orange

Can hi-vis PPE be customised with logos?

Yes. Logos can be embroidered or heat-sealed onto high-visibility PPE.