When do I need ANSI 107 Class 3 over Class 2?

Class 3 is required when workers are exposed to traffic over 50 mph, working in low-visibility conditions (night, fog, dust), or operating near heavy equipment with limited operator sightlines. ANSI 107 also requires Class 3 for any worker whose tasks place them in close proximity to traffic moving at high speed regardless of road type.

What's the difference between Class 2 and Class 3 garments?

Class 3 requires more background fabric (1,240 sq inches vs 775 for Class 2) and more retroreflective tape (310 sq inches vs 201). Class 3 must cover the torso, arms (full sleeves), and either legs or be paired with Class E pants. Class 2 is a vest-only style with no sleeve requirement.

Is a Class 2 vest plus Class E pants the same as Class 3?

Yes — that combination meets Class 3 requirements per ANSI 107. The pants supply the lower-body retroreflective area, and the vest covers the torso. Many road crews use this combo because the pants stay on and the vest can come off in cooler conditions while still meeting Class 2 alone.

Does OSHA require Class 3 on highway work?

Federal OSHA defers to MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) for federal-aid highway work, which requires ANSI 107 Class 2 or Class 3 depending on speed and exposure. State DOTs in Nevada, Arizona, and California specify Class 3 on most highway projects above 45 mph. Always check the project spec.

Can I embroider a logo on a Class 3 shirt or jacket?

Yes, but only on the background fabric — never on retroreflective tape. ANSI 107 caps total embroidery and screen-printed logo area at 12 sq inches per side and prohibits any decoration that reduces the required 1,240 sq inches of background or 310 sq inches of tape. Use a chest logo around 4 inches wide.

What colors qualify for ANSI 107 Class 3?

Fluorescent yellow-green and fluorescent orange-red are the two compliant background colors. Fluorescent red was added in the 2020 revision. The colors must meet specific chromaticity and luminance values measured under standardized conditions — generic "safety yellow" t-shirts that haven't been tested don't qualify.

Do night-shift workers always need Class 3?

Not always — but if night-shift workers are exposed to vehicle traffic or moving equipment, Class 3 is the practical default. ANSI 107 also has a Class E (pants/shorts) and a separate ANSI 207 standard for public safety. For data center, warehouse, or yard work at night without traffic exposure, Class 2 is typically sufficient.

How long does Class 3 hi-vis last in Vegas heat?

Manufacturers rate Class 3 garments for 25 industrial wash cycles or 6 months of typical wear, whichever comes first. Vegas UV exposure shortens this — fluorescent dyes fade faster in 110°F sun. Plan to replace Class 3 garments every 4-6 months for outdoor crews running daily shifts in summer.

Compliance

Hi-Vis Class 3 Apparel: When You Need Class 3 Over Class 2

A working compliance guide to ANSI 107 Class 3 hi-vis — when it's required over Class 2, what counts as a Class 3 garment, and how to spec one that passes inspection.

Bighorn Threads Team9 min readMay 9, 2026

ANSI 107 Class 3 hi-vis safety shirt with reflective tape on background fluorescent fabric

The ANSI 107 Rule on Class 3

ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 is the consensus standard for high-visibility safety apparel. It defines three classes of hi-vis based on the wearer's risk exposure:

Class 1 — Off-road only. Parking attendants, warehouse yards, low-traffic environments under 25 mph.
Class 2 — Roadway work where traffic is under 50 mph. Standard utility, municipal, and most construction roadside use.
Class 3 — Traffic over 50 mph, low-visibility conditions, or close proximity to heavy equipment. Requires full coverage.

For the full Class 2 vs Class 3 background, see our ANSI 107 Class 2 vs Class 3 guide for Las Vegas crews.

When You Need Class 3 Specifically

Highway and freeway work over 50 mph. I-15, US-95, and any Nevada DOT project on a high-speed corridor.
Night-shift roadwork. Paving crews, line stripers, signage installers running after midnight.
Flagging on rural arterials. Even at 45 mph posted, drivers regularly run 55-60.
Heavy equipment yards. Crane setup, concrete pours with pump trucks, excavator operators with limited rear sightlines.
Tow operators and roadside assistance. Per most state DOT specs, Class 3 is mandatory on Interstate shoulders.
Utility line work near roadways. NV Energy contractors on right-of-way poles abutting traffic.

OSHA, MUTCD, and the Class 3 Mandate

Federal OSHA's 29 CFR 1926.201 requires hi-vis for flaggers but defers to the MUTCD for class selection. The 23 CFR 634 federal-aid highway rule mandates ANSI 107 Class 2 or 3 for any worker exposed to public vehicular traffic on federal-aid highways.

Nevada DOT, Arizona DOT, and Caltrans specs default to Class 3 on most projects above 45 mph. The project safety plan is the source of truth — if it says Class 3, Class 2 won't pass inspection regardless of what ANSI says generically.

What a Class 3 Garment Actually Looks Like

A compliant Class 3 garment must include:

1,240 sq inches of fluorescent background fabric in yellow-green, orange-red, or red.
310 sq inches of retroreflective tape arranged in 360-degree visibility bands.
Full sleeves with reflective bands on each arm.
Reflective bands at the torso (chest and back).
Either full-length pants (Class E) or a one-piece coverall design.

A short-sleeve hi-vis t-shirt is never Class 3. A standard mesh hi-vis vest is Class 2 only. The full-sleeve requirement is the most common compliance miss.

Adding a Company Logo Without Voiding Class 3

ANSI 107 caps decoration at 12 sq inches per side and prohibits any logo placement that reduces the required background or reflective area. The practical rules:

Chest logo: 4 inches wide, 3.5 inches tall maximum.
Back logo: full company name allowed up to 12 sq inches.
Never embroider or print on retroreflective tape.
Use ANSI-compliant thread color or contrast color — black thread on yellow-green is standard.

For full placement guidance, read our custom safety vests ANSI compliance piece — the rules are identical for Class 3 jackets and shirts.

Class 3 in Vegas — Practical Reality

Vegas trade contractors who default to Class 3 year-round: paving, striping, flagging, utility line work, and tow operators. Crews on jobsites under 50 mph traffic exposure run Class 2 vests with Class E pants when they're roadside, regular workwear when they're not.

Heat is the operational problem. Class 3 long-sleeve in 110°F asphalt sun is brutal. Specify moisture-wicking polyester mesh fabric or birdseye knit construction — manufacturers like Radians, ML Kishigo, and PIP make Class 3 shirts engineered for hot-weather work. Read our Nevada OSHA heat rules 2026 guide for the heat-stress side.

Class 3 hi-vis with compliant embroidery

Bighorn Threads embroiders ANSI 107 Class 3 shirts, jackets, and coveralls with logo placement that maintains certification. We source from Radians, ML Kishigo, PIP, and Bulwark.

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