Be Seen: High-Visibility Outer Garment Required When Working in Highway Rights-of-Way

A new rule generally requires Forest Service personnel working in the right-of-way of federally funded highways to wear a high-visibility outer garment meeting the requirements of the ANSI/ISEA 107-2004, Class 2 standard. Employees changing a tire or directing traffic in the highway right-of-way should be wearing a vest, jacket, or coverall that meets the standard. The new rule took effect late in 2008 with revisions to 23 CFR, Part 634 (Worker Visibility). The rule, which has limited exemptions for law enforcement personnel and firefighters, applies to all “workers” in the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway who are exposed either to traffic or to construction equipment.