Being Seen: Hi-Vis Trim in Arc Flash Clothing 

When a fuse failure or arc flash event at an electrical panel causes a loss of power, the surrounding work area can suddenly become dark. Smoke or other post-incident conditions may further limit visibility, making it more difficult for crew members to locate one another or understand what is happening around them. In these circumstances, visibility-enhancing features can provide additional visual cues that help distinguish the wearer.

In these conditions, visibility features can provide additional visual cues that help a worker stand out. So, why do Enespro® arc flash suits incorporate reflective trim? 

When properly selected for the hazard and worn correctly, arc-rated PPE is intended to reduce the severity of thermal injury from an electric arc. Although protection from arc flash hazards drives many design decisions, effective PPE can also address additional workplace needs, including mobility, comfort, visual clarity, and visibility. 

When it comes to visibility, there are two important considerations: seeing and being seen. Much of the focus is placed on seeing—including color recognition, visual distortion, and the ability to identify critical cues—but the importance of being seen can be just as significant. Purposefully designed trim and accents help address that need. 

Why Visibility Features Matter After an Arc Flash Incident 

Beyond its primary protective function, arc-flash PPE can also incorporate features that provide additional visibility cues.

Reflective trim can make the wearer more conspicuous when illuminated by flashlights, vehicle lights, or other external light sources. Once charged, photoluminescent accents provide a visible glow when external lighting is unavailable. These features are supplemental design elements and do not replace appropriate emergency procedures, lighting, communications, or other hazard controls.

The placement of reflective trim can provide another visual cue through a concept known as biomotion. Because the human visual system is responsive to coordinated movement, markings placed on moving areas of the body can help make a person’s movement and body position easier to distinguish.

Enespro® arc flash PPE places reflective trim on the upper arms and lower legs to create movement cues when the trim is illuminated, helping distinguish a worker’s location, movement, and orientation in low-light or visually challenging conditions.

Three Technologies Engineered to Be Seen 

The Airlite Ascend™ is designed to address several demands electrical workers face on the job, including mobility, breathability, and visibility. Its lightweight construction and ergonomic design help support movement and comfort, while strategically placed trim and accents help workers remain easier to recognize across changing light conditions. 

To support that visibility, the Enespro® Airlite Ascend™ jacket combines three distinct technologies: 

• Fluorescent trim: Is intended to increase conspicuity in daylight and other suitable lighting conditions.
• FR 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Comfort Trim: Returns light toward its source to enhance visibility when illuminated in low-light conditions.
• Photoluminescent glow accents: Once charged by natural or artificial light, photoluminescent accents provide an additional visible glow when external lighting is lost.

The photoluminescent accents charge from natural or artificial light; brighter light generally charges them faster and produces a stronger initial glow. On a full charge, the accents can remain visible for up to eight hours before gradually dimming.

Combined with the other visibility features in the system, these technologies provide distinct visibility cues across daylight, low-light conditions with an available light source, and darkness after the photoluminescent accents have been charged.

Visibility-Enhancing Trim: One of Many Purposeful Components in an Enespro® Arc Flash Suit 

Every detail matters when developing arc flash PPE. Enespro® considers a range of workplace demands when selecting and positioning garment features, including hi-vis reflective trim. 

The Airlite Ascend™ features FR 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Comfort Trim to enhance visibility when illuminated in low-light environments. Fluorescent trim and photoluminescent accents help extend that visibility across changing light conditions. 

These visibility elements are part of a broader design that also addresses mobility, cooling, moisture management, comfort, and visual clarity. Together, these purposeful features reflect Enespro’s approach to developing arc flash PPE around the needs of electrical workers and safety professionals. 

Discover how Enespro® is advancing arc flash PPE through mobility, visibility, and comfort. Explore our educational resources, browse our product selection, or contact us to request a quote.