The Federal Highway Administration has revised its initial ruling regarding worker visibility while operating along highways. The revised ruling allows an exemption that permits firefighters to wear retroreflective turnout gear instead of reflective vests when actively fighting fires or handling hazardous material releases.

The interim final rule applies only to firefighters working on the right-of-way of Federal-aid highways while engaged in emergency operations that directly expose them to flame, fire, heat and/or hazardous materials. Other emergency personnel not engaged in direct operations involving fire or hazardous materials must still wear high-visibility safety apparel such as reflective vests that comply with specific standards. The requirement does not apply to non-Federal-aid highways.

Despite this interim ruling, the new 2009 NFPA 1901 standard still requires that all fire and rescue vehicles ordered on or after January 1, 2009, must carry a compliant reflective vest for every occupant, as well as a minimum of five (5) 28-in high traffic cones with reflective stripes for every vehicle.

For the text of the ruling, go to http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-27671.pdf