What is EN ISO 20471:2013+A1:2016

In the world of professional technical standards, the EN ISO 20471:2013+A1:2016 standard holds significant importance. This international standard specifies requirements for high-visibility clothing that is designed to enhance the visibility of a person in specific working environments. Let's delve deeper into the key aspects of this standard and its significance.

The Scope of EN ISO 20471:2013+A1:2016

The EN ISO 20471 standard covers high-visibility clothing, known as HV clothing, which includes garments like jackets, trousers, coveralls, and harnesses. It specifies the minimum requirements for the design and performance of such clothing to ensure the wearer's visibility, especially in hazardous situations or low light conditions.

The primary goal of this standard is to reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities by improving the visibility of workers who are exposed to potential hazards, such as construction sites, road works, or emergency response situations. The standard ensures that HV clothing meets specific photometric and colorimetric properties to enhance the wearer's visibility from all directions.

Key Components of EN ISO 20471:2013+A1:2016

EN ISO 20471:2013+A1:2016 has a set of requirements that must be met by high-visibility clothing manufacturers. One crucial component is the fluorescent background material, which enhances the garment's visibility during daylight. The standard defines specific chromaticity and luminance values that determine the brightness and color of the background material.

Another important aspect of this standard is the retroreflective material used on HV clothing. Retroreflective materials reflect light back to its source, making the wearer more visible in low-light conditions or when illuminated by artificial light sources like headlights. The standard sets requirements for the performance of retroreflective materials based on their minimum reflective coefficient and angularity properties.

How Does EN ISO 20471:2013+A1:2016 Benefit Workers?

The implementation of this standard brings several benefits to workers who rely on high-visibility clothing. First and foremost, it significantly improves their safety by enhancing their visibility to others, particularly in situations where they may be exposed to potential hazards or working in low-visibility conditions.

EN ISO 20471:2013+A1:2016 also promotes uniformity in the quality of high-visibility clothing produced by various manufacturers worldwide. It ensures that all compliant garments meet the minimum requirements for visibility performance, allowing workers to have confidence in the protective equipment they wear.

Moreover, adherence to this standard enables employers to fulfill their duty of care and legal obligations towards their workers' safety. By providing proper high-visibility clothing, employers create a safer working environment, reduce the risk of accidents, and protect the lives and well-being of their employees.

In Conclusion

The EN ISO 20471:2013+A1:2016 standard plays a critical role in improving the safety of workers in hazardous environments or low light conditions. It sets clear requirements for high-visibility clothing, ensuring that it enhances the wearer's visibility from all directions. By complying with this standard, manufacturers, employers, and workers can contribute to a safer work environment by reducing accidents and injuries.