Why is reflective tape such an important element of today’s hi vis workwear? The fundamental need comes from the fact that, in low light conditions, it’s often difficult for vehicle operators to distinguish the shapes of signs or people because most bodies and objects do not reflect light. It’s easy to understand why this can lead to tragic accidents. 

Reflective tape is one of two major tools —  the other being high visibility fluorescent colors — for making workers and signs easier to see in low light conditions, such as night or bad weather. Retroreflective tape works by reflecting the light from a vehicle’s headlights at the vehicle’s operator. Every piece of retroreflective tape uses tiny beads or prisms to bounce back the light rather than absorbing it. Importantly, reflective tape is designed to bounce the light back in the direction of its origin, which is why it’s so useful for alerting drivers. 

You’ll find reflective tape on almost all high visibility safety gear. In fact, the amount of reflective tape on safety workwear is one of the most important parts of the ANSI 107 high visibility standard. Workers in certain occupations, such as highway maintenance professionals who work at night, are often required by law to wear hi vis workwear that meets a certain ANSI standard level.