STANDARDS

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the branch of the Department of Transportation charged with writing and enforcing safety standards for motor vehicles.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/

Federal Highway Administration
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is the branch of the Department of Transportation responsible with overseeing federal funds used for constructing and maintaining the national highway system. These funds are handed out mainly to State departments of transportation for use in local projects. Approximately 90% of roadways in the United States receive federal funding.

In addition, the FHWA published the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which is used by most highway agencies. Funding can be cut to States for not adhering to the rules set out in the MUTCD. 

THE MUTCD has mandated rules regarding who is required to wear ANSI compliant high visibility clothing that may affect your job, liability and safety.  This rule is in the midst of being revised as it relates to first responders.  Please read the full rules for a better understanding here.

The main site is here.

 

MUTCD
The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) dictates rules for quality, construction, and worker safety in regards to roadways. Adherence to these rules is necessary in order to receive and maintain funding.

In November of 2008, the MUTCD specified that all personnel, regardless of occupation, must wear compliant ANSI 107-2004 Class 2 garments or above. Recently, an exception has been noted for Fire/Rescue Responders when required to wear fireproof turn out gear. Several other changes are proposed to go into effect by the end of 2009, among them, mandating that all workers on ALL roadways must wear compliant vests and the addition of ANSI 207-2006 garments as acceptable for wear by first responders only.

ANSI
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the branch of the Department of Transportation charged with writing and enforcing safety standards for motor vehicles.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/

ANSI 107-2010
In 1999, ANSI first developed a standard that regulated the design, functionality, and created classes of increasing conspicuity fort high visibility garments. The current updated version was released in 2004 as ANSI 107-2004. The standard is used by OSHA, employers, and lawmakers to decrease the number of injuries and fatalities associated with personnel working in traffic-related fields. The standard defines three garment categories, also known as conspicuity classes, that are based upon the amount of fluorescent and retro-reflective material present, a variety of worker hazards and tasks, the complexity of the work environment or background, and the degree of exposure to and speed of vehicular traffic. Pants are also governed under 107-2004 as a separate Class E. When a Class E pant is worn with a Class 2 garment, the entire ensemble is classified as Class 3.

http://safetyequipment.org/hivisstd.htm

ANSI 207-2006
The ANSI 207-2006 standard was designed specifically for the public safety marketplace. Notable difference include less fluorescent background material than Class 2 of ANSI 107-2004, which allows for a shorter vest to accommodate a duty belt; it allows for different color trim options; and allows for the five-point breakaway. ANSI 207-2006 vests DO NOT replace ANSI 107-2004 outerwear and rainwear, any public safety officer performing traffic duties or dealing in low light or inclement weather is still encouraged to follow ANSI 107-2004 standards for outerwear and rainwear.

http://www.safetyequipment.org/207std.htm

NFPA
The National Fire Protection Association is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to fire safety by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.

NFPA 1999 is a standard that was created in 1992 for protective clothing for emergency medical operations to protect first responders and emergency medical professionals from human blood and body fluids. The standard specifies minimum requirements for the design, performance, testing, and certification of items of protective clothing including outer-garments, footwear, gloves, and face shielding devices for protection from blood/liquid-borne pathogens.

http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/AboutTheCodes.asp?DocNum=1999

Grants
The Department of Homeland Security has entrusted FEMA to help local and state agencies protect against, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks through five comprehensive grant programs.

These grants allow for any agency to purchase, amongst other items, personal protective equipment (PPE’s) for all personnel. Spiewak’s ANSI 107-2004 and 207-2008 compliant garments, as well as our NFPA 1999 certified garments, are all classified as PPE’s by FEMA and available for purchase through these grant programs.

ISEA
The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), is a trade association for companies that manufacture safety and personal protective equipment.

The ISEA site is a good resource to find further information regarding companies concerned about safety, specific rules and standards, and issues of worker safety. Spiewak is a proud member of ISEA.

www.safetyequipment.org

Responder Knowledge Base
The Responder Knowledge Base (RKB) is a national information resource for emergency responders, funded by the FEMA National Preparedness Directorate. The RKB Mission is to "provide emergency responders, purchasers, and planners with a trusted, integrated, online source of information on products, standards, certifications, grants, and other equipment-related information."

https://www.rkb.us/index.cfm

To view a list of approved Spiewak and VizGuard jackets classified as PPE, please click here

https://www.rkb.us/klinksmore.cfm?content_id=93665&relationtype=10100&overridesubtype=122