Hi-vis at work in Ireland
Hi-vis at work in Ireland
What the Health and Safety Authority says about choosing, wearing and caring for high visibility clothing, in plain English.
- EN ISO 20471
- HSA guidance
- Republic and NI
Standards on this page
Symbols follow the official pictograms. RIS-3279-TOM has no official pictogram, so the rail symbol is our own.
Key takeaways
- Separate people and vehicles first. Hi-vis reduces the remaining risk [1].
- Choose the class from your risk assessment. Class 3 gives the highest conspicuity [1].
- Wear it closed, keep it clean and replace it when it no longer performs [1].
- Hi-vis must be supplied free of charge to employees who need it [1].
The three classes
EN ISO 20471 sets minimum areas of fluorescent and reflective material. The label shows the standard icon and the class number [1].
Minimum visible material by class (m²)
Source: HSA information sheet, based on EN ISO 20471 [1]. Bars are to scale against 0.80 m².
| Class | Visibility | Commonly met by |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Lowest | Hi-vis trousers worn on their own |
| Class 2 | Intermediate | Sleeveless hi-vis vests |
| Class 3 | Highest | Hi-vis jackets and sleeved vests |
Getting to Class 3
One garment
Wear a single garment certified to Class 3 [1].
Two certified together
Wear items certified together as Class 3, such as a jacket and trousers. The joint certification is stated on the inner label [1].
Cover the body
Class 3 garments must cover the torso and have sleeves with reflective bands, full-length legs with reflective bands, or both [1].
Choosing the right hi-vis
- Colour. The standard approves yellow, orange-red and red. Yellow may suit indoor or gloomy places. Orange may stand out better outdoors against greenery [1].
- Rail. Orange is specifically required by RIS-3279-TOM for UK rail [1]. See best hi-vis for rail.
- The task. If carrying objects hides an upper-body garment, or the work involves bending, add a lower-body garment [1].
- Comfort and weather. It is worn all day, so it should fit well and not add heat stress. Layering lets people adapt to changing weather [1].
- Movement. Reflective bands on arms and legs help drivers recognise a person moving. A jacket with sleeve bands outperforms a sleeveless vest, and trousers alone are generally not good practice [1].
Care and replacement
- Follow the care label. Too much washing and too little washing can both reduce performance [1].
- Check for damage, especially to reflective strips, and for dirt [1].
- Put a system in place to replace garments when they can no longer meet their class [1].
- Provide storage for hi-vis when it is not in use [1].
More help: our care guide.
Hi-vis does not guarantee you will be seen. No amount of hi-vis helps in a driver's blind spot, so train everyone on foot about vehicle blind spots [1]. This guide summarises official guidance in plain English. It is not legal advice. Always follow your own risk assessment and check the current version of each source.
Frequently asked questions
Is hi-vis a legal requirement in Ireland?
Hi-vis is PPE. Employers must assess the hazards and provide the right hi-vis free of charge to employees exposed to significant risk, for example around moving vehicles [1]. The HSA calls it a vital and necessary requirement where a significant part of the work happens near moving vehicles [1].
Which hi-vis class do I need?
Your risk assessment decides. The HSA lists factors such as vehicle speed and volume, sightlines, lighting, weather and how long people are exposed. It says that close to moving vehicles it is good practice to wear the highest class available [1].
Can I wear an open hi-vis vest?
No. The HSA says garments are only compliant if worn correctly, and a vest or jacket must be worn closed to give 360° visibility [1].
Can we put our logo on hi-vis?
Yes, with care. The HSA says logos or text should not cover the fluorescent background so much that it falls below the minimum area for the class [1]. See logo printing and embroidery.
How many times can hi-vis be washed?
Check the label. The maximum number of washes should be marked on it, and the HSA says most hi-vis has a maximum life of 25 washes unless the label says otherwise [1].
Shop hi-vis by class
Download a one-page guide
Free printable summaries for the noticeboard or the van.
More Ireland guides
Need hi-vis for a team?
We can help you choose the right class and add your logo without losing compliance. We deliver to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in 2–4 working days, with no customs or import duty for Irish orders. See delivery details and ordering from Ireland. Get in touch with our team to discuss trade or team pricing. Call (028) 90 749 719 or email sales@theworkwearco.com.
Sources
Numbers in square brackets on this page refer to these sources. Standards and site rules change, so always check the current version and your own risk assessment.
- Health and Safety Authority, High visibility clothing for use around moving vehicles (information sheet, October 2022) – https://www.hsa.ie/media/hkgnfdi5/103348-hsa-high-visibility-document-final.pdf
- Health and Safety Authority, Guide to the General Application Regulations 2007: Personal Protective Equipment – https://www.hsa.ie/media/mnxnk0dv/gen_apps_ppe.pdf