How to Choose Certified Hi-Vis Clothing for Winter Work – EN ISO 20471 Explained
When it comes to staying safe in low-light conditions, especially during the winter season, certified high-visibility workwear isn’t optional — it’s essential. Whether you’re a truck driver, a construction worker, or a service technician, being visible can prevent accidents and save lives. At Optimum BHP, we offer a wide range of insulated hi-vis clothing that complies with the EN ISO 20471 standard. Our goal is to help companies select the right protective workwear for both safety and comfort — especially during harsh winter months.
Learn more in our dedicated FAQ on high-visibility workwear or read our English workwear blog for expert guidance.
The Importance of Waterproof and Windproof Workwear in Winter 2025
Why Winter Workwear Must Be Both Insulated and Breathable – Finding the Right Balance
The Complete Buyer’s Guide to EN 342 Certified Winter Workwear
The Benefits of Thermal Lined Workwear for Outdoor Jobs in Harsh Winter Conditions
What Is the Difference Between High-Visibility and Reflective Clothing?
Top Mistakes When Buying High-Visibility Winter Workwear – And How to Avoid Them
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What Is EN ISO 20471 and Why Is It Important?
EN ISO 20471 is the European standard that defines the visibility performance requirements for clothing designed to visually signal the presence of the wearer in daylight, low-light, and night-time conditions. This regulation ensures that workers are visible to drivers and machinery operators, helping to reduce collisions and accidents on worksites, roads, and industrial areas.
Key points about the standard:
• Requires fluorescent background material in yellow, orange, or red.
• Requires retroreflective tape to reflect artificial light (e.g. headlights).
• Specifies minimum areas of visible material.
• Classifies garments into Classes 1, 2, and 3, based on risk level and visibility range.
If your workers operate near moving vehicles, Class 3 certified clothing is often mandatory — particularly in transport, logistics, and infrastructure sectors.
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Visibility Classes: Class 1 vs Class 2 vs Class 3 Explained
Understanding the three EN ISO 20471 classes is crucial when purchasing certified winter workwear:
Class Use Case Minimum Fluorescent Material Minimum Reflective Tape
1 Low-risk areas 0.14 m² 0.10 m²
2 Moderate risk 0.50 m² 0.13 m²
3 High-risk zones 0.80 m² 0.20 m²
For outdoor winter jobs like roadwork, rail maintenance, or snow clearing, Class 3 is recommended or legally required. At Optimum BHP, we clearly label all EN ISO 20471 products so you know exactly what level of protection you’re getting.
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What to Look for in Certified Hi-Vis Winter Clothing
Choosing high-visibility clothing for cold weather means looking beyond colors and stripes. You need garments that combine certified visibility with thermal insulation, windproofing, and water resistance.
Checklist for selecting proper gear:
• ❄️ EN ISO 20471 certification
• 🧥 EN 342 cold protection (optional but ideal)
• 🌧️ Waterproof or water-resistant materials
• 🔥 Insulated linings (polyester, fleece, quilted)
• 📏 Correct fit to ensure visibility zones stay exposed
Look for products like the Snickers 1130 AllroundWork Jacket, Sara Workwear Alpha HV Bomber, or Art.Mas Classic-Vis Oxford, available in our high-visibility winter jacket collection.
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Best Hi-Vis Garments for Winter – Certified and Insulated
Our top EN ISO 20471 certified winter picks at Optimum BHP:
• Snickers 1130 AllroundWork – Class 3, waterproof, insulated, high flexibility.
• Sara Workwear Alpha HV – Ideal for roadside jobs and snow plowing crews.
• CXS Canis Benson Jacket – Bright, padded, with wide reflective bands.
• Urgent 980 Reflective Softshell – Lightweight yet certified, ideal for logistics.
• Art.Mas Classic-Vis Oxford – Budget-friendly with excellent compliance.
Each model provides warmth, protection, and full compliance for high-risk environments.
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Custom Logos on Certified Hi-Vis Workwear – Is It Allowed?
Yes — you can add your company’s logo to certified high-visibility clothing, but the placement must not interfere with the required reflective or fluorescent areas. At Optimum BHP, we work with safety regulations to ensure branding doesn’t reduce garment effectiveness.
• Logos are typically placed on chest, upper sleeve, or below reflective bands.
• We use high-durability embroidery and heat-transfer printing.
• We also help adjust logo sizing for small, medium, and large garments.
This ensures your team looks professional and stays compliant.
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EN ISO 20471 vs EN 1150: What’s the Difference?
Sometimes customers confuse EN ISO 20471 with EN 1150, but they are not the same:
• EN ISO 20471 is for professional, occupational use.
• EN 1150 is for non-professional use (e.g., cycling or school safety gear).
All clothing sold at Optimum BHP under the hi-vis category complies with EN ISO 20471 and is designed for workplace safety.
Why EN ISO 20471 Is Especially Important in Winter Conditions
Winter brings unique visibility challenges — shorter daylight hours, heavy snow, fog, and freezing rain all reduce the ability to detect workers in motion. That’s why EN ISO 20471-certified clothing is more critical during the winter season than in summer. While fluorescent materials perform best under UV light, the retroreflective elements required by EN ISO 20471 are designed specifically to reflect artificial light, such as vehicle headlights, making them ideal for dark mornings, stormy afternoons, or night shifts. At Optimum BHP, we offer winter models that not only meet the certification but also provide EN 342 insulation for full cold protection — because visibility is only effective when it comes with comfort.
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Common Mistakes When Buying Hi-Vis Clothing – and How to Avoid Them
Many companies unknowingly purchase hi-vis clothing that is not compliant with EN ISO 20471, especially when ordering online or from international vendors. One of the most common mistakes is selecting garments with too little reflective area or with logos placed over certified zones. Another is buying garments that appear “bright” but use non-compliant colors or lack proper documentation. At Optimum BHP, we help clients avoid these pitfalls by clearly indicating certification levels, garment classes, and logo placement zones. Our FAQ on high-visibility standards offers a full breakdown of what to look for — helping you make confident, compliant purchases every time.
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Who Needs Class 3 Hi-Vis Clothing in Winter – Industry-Specific Recommendations
Not all professions require the same level of high-visibility protection, but during winter, many job roles move up a class due to reduced visibility. Workers in road construction, highway maintenance, railway repair, and emergency services should wear Class 3 EN ISO 20471-certified clothing — especially if working near live traffic. Similarly, logistics personnel operating in outdoor loading zones or airport ramps benefit from Class 2 or 3 high-visibility insulated jackets. Our blog articles on sector-specific winter workwear explore how to select the right gear for your field. You can also find curated collections of certified winter jackets for various industries in our shop
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How to Ensure Compliance When Buying for Your Company
To stay compliant:
1. Choose garments labeled EN ISO 20471.
2. Select Class 3 if work involves high-speed vehicles or public roads.
3. Ensure clothing is the right size so that visibility is not compromised.
4. Avoid low-quality knockoffs that lack certification markings.
5. Ask for test reports or declarations of conformity from suppliers.
At Optimum BHP, every certified product includes proper labeling and documentation. Our English-speaking team is ready to assist international customers with technical advice and product selection.
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Conclusion: Don’t Compromise on Winter Safety – Choose Certified Hi-Vis Workwear
Choosing EN ISO 20471-certified high-visibility winter workwear is a critical step in protecting your workers in dangerous environments. Whether you’re facing fog, snow, heavy rain, or early darkness, certified garments keep your team safe, seen, and compliant.
Visit:
• Reflective & Hi-Vis Clothing
• High-Visibility Workwear FAQ
And trust Optimum BHP — your expert source for protective, certified, and customizable winter safety clothing.
