When your job involves working on America's roads and highways, safety isn't just a priority — it's a way of life. As a highway maintenance worker, you encounter fast-moving traffic, unpredictable conditions and high-risk environments every day. One of the most effective tools in your personal safety arsenal isn't a complex machine or high-tech gadget — it's your reflective safety T-shirt.
Why reflective safety T-shirts matter
If you work near or on highways, you will often find yourself in situations with low visibility, such as early mornings, dusk, fog, rain or night-time conditions. Even the most alert drivers can struggle to spot someone on the roadside in these environments.
That’s where reflective safety T-shirts come in.
These shirts are designed in high-visibility fluorescent colours, typically neon yellow or orange, and feature retroreflective striping that reflects headlights back to drivers, making you visible from hundreds of feet away. This simple yet powerful feature can mean the difference between a near miss and a fatality.
Meeting the standards
In the United States, safety garments for highway workers are regulated by the ANSI/ISEA 107 standard. To be considered 'Class 2' or 'Class 3' garments, reflective safety T-shirts must meet specific requirements depending on your work environment:
- Class 2 is for workers exposed to traffic travelling over 25 mph, such as roadside maintenance workers.
- Class 3: For workers on high-speed roadways where greater visibility is crucial.
Wearing the appropriate class ensures compliance with OSHA regulations and provides protection at work.
Comfort + protection
Today’s reflective safety T-shirts offer more than just safety — they’re comfortable, too. Thanks to moisture-wicking fabrics, breathable mesh panels and lightweight designs, you can work in hot conditions without sacrificing comfort. Since you’re likely to wear them all day, every day, durability and washability are important too. Modern designs keep up with both.
A Culture of Visibility
Wearing your reflective T-shirt isn't just about personal safety; it also contributes to a broader culture of visibility and accountability on the job site. When every crew member is properly geared up, everyone is easier to see, and the team can operate more safely and efficiently.
It also sends a message to the public: this is a professional crew working hard to keep the roads safe, and they deserve space, respect and caution.