Red Safety Vest or Green Safety Vest? A Guide to Color, Classes and Safety Standards

Safety vests play a vital role in maintaining visibility and protection for workers in a variety of industries. Whether you’re on a construction site, managing traffic, or working in emergency response, choosing the right safety vest ensures compliance with safety standards and enhances personal protection. In this guide, we’ll explore the difference between a green safety vest and a red safety vest and help our readers understand the roles of class 1, class 2, and class 3 safety vests in the workplace.

Green Safety Vest: When to Use It

Green safety vests are commonly associated with specific roles or workplaces that require visibility but don’t necessarily involve high-traffic areas. These vests are ideal for:

Event staff managing public gatherings.
Warehouse workers operating in indoor environments.
Teams working in low-risk outdoor areas.

The green color provides visibility without conflicting with other standard safety colors like orange or red. If your job doesn’t require high-visibility reflective strips but demands standout identification, a green safety vest might be the right choice.

Shop a selection of class 3 safety vests.

Red Safety Vest: Signaling Alerts and Emergencies

Red safety vests are often used in situations where immediate attention or caution is necessary. Their bold color ensures that workers are easily identifiable during emergencies. These vests are typically seen:

On emergency response teams.
In disaster relief zones.
At sites requiring clear warning signals to others.

The red color conveys urgency, making it ideal for environments where safety depends on quick recognition.

Understanding the ANSI Classification: Class 1, 2, and Class 3 Safety Vests

Safety vests are categorized into three classes based on their level of visibility and the environments in which they are used. Class 1 vests offer minimal visibility for low-risk environments, such as parking attendants. Class 2 vests provide better visibility for moderate-risk situations, like construction workers. Class 3 vests offer the highest visibility for high-risk areas with fast-moving traffic, such as highway workers and emergency responders. Each class is designed to ensure safety in specific working conditions.

When to Use ANSI Class 1 Safety Vests

Suitable for environments with minimal traffic or slow-moving vehicles (below 25 mph).
May include red fabric and minimal reflective striping.
Typically used by parking attendants, warehouse workers, or delivery drivers in low-risk areas.

When to Use ANSI Class 2 Safety Vests

Designed for moderate-risk environments with higher traffic speeds (25-50 mph).
Red safety vests in this class must include larger areas of reflective material and brighter fluorescent red fabric for better visibility.
Commonly used by airport workers, survey crews, and construction site teams.

When to Use ANSI Class 3 Safety Vests

Offers the highest level of visibility for high-risk areas with fast-moving traffic (50 mph or more).
A red safety vest in this class must cover more surface area with bright, fluorescent fabric and extensive reflective material, often including sleeves.
Used by highway workers, emergency responders, and traffic controllers.

Class 3 Safety Vests: Maximum Visibility for High-Risk Environments

Class 3 safety vests are designed for workers operating in high-risk areas where maximum visibility is critical. These vests meet strict safety standards and feature:

Multiple reflective strips for visibility from all angles.
Bright fluorescent colors (usually orange or yellow-green).
Sleeves or additional reflective materials for full-body visibility.

Class 3 safety vests are required for jobs near high-speed traffic, such as road construction, highway maintenance, and traffic control. They ensure that workers are visible to drivers and other team members, significantly reducing the risk of accidents.

Equipment Direct: Your Partner in Safety

At Equipment Direct, we prioritize your safety by offering a wide selection of high-quality safety vests, including green safety vests, red safety vests, and Class 3 safety vests. Our products are designed to meet industry standards at affordable prices. Because at Equipment Direct, safety comes first.

Explore our inventory today and find the perfect safety vest for your team!