RWS workwear, also known as Rijkswaterstaat clothing, is specially designed for employees working on or along the roads in the Netherlands. This RWS safety clothing meets strict visibility and safety requirements. The distinctive orange color and reflective stripes make road workers and traffic controllers immediately visible, even in bad weather or at night.
Wearing RWS clothing is mandatory in many situations where road safety is crucial. Here you can read all about the RWS standards, the requirements, and when this clothing is required.
What are RWS guidelines?
Rijkswaterstaat guidelines are designed to optimally protect road workers, supervisors, and other professionals working along the road. Rijkswaterstaat sets requirements for:
- Colour use : Fluorescent orange for maximum visibility.
- Reflective stripes : Specific placement and width for recognition in the dark.
- Clothing class : Usually Class 3 according to EN 20471 , for maximum protection.
- Combinations : Trousers and jackets together must meet the highest safety standard of EN 20471.
- CE certified: The clothing must have a CE certificate.
These guidelines are mandatory for Rijkswaterstaat projects and are increasingly being applied by contractors and companies in the infrastructure sector.
EN 20471 for high visibility
The EN ISO 20471 standard is the European standard for high-visibility clothing. RWS workwear must comply with this standard, whereby:
- Class 1, 2 and 3 indicate protection, with Class 3 being the highest safety level.
- Reflective materials and fluorescent fabrics ensure that wearers are visible from a distance.
- The clothing has been tested for durability, washability and visibility in different light conditions.
What do Rijkswaterstaat's stripes look like?
Rijkswaterstaat uses a unique striping that is instantly recognizable:
- Two horizontal reflective stripes around the fuselage.
- Reflective stripes on sleeves and legs for 360° visibility .
- A vertical stripe at the front and back for extra recognition.
- The stripes are at least 25mm wide
This specific layout makes RWS clothing instantly recognisable and meets the highest safety standards.
The most important points from the Rijkswaterstaat standards.
In summary, all RWS garments meet the following requirements:
- Fluorescent orange color .
- Combined EN 20471 Class 3 certification .
- Specific reflective stripes for optimal visibility.
- Mandatory combination of outer and outer clothing for full protection.
- Strict guidelines from Rijkswaterstaat for infrastructure projects.
When is RWS clothing mandatory?
RWS safety clothing is mandatory for:
- Working on or along national and provincial roads .
- Traffic guidance and traffic controllers on construction and work sites.
- Supervisors, enforcers and contractors at Rijkswaterstaat projects.
- All situations where visibility and road safety have priority.
More and more municipalities and companies are also adopting the RWS standards as standard.
The different garments together
The RWS collection includes various garments that together form a complete protection package. Consider:
- RWS jackets and parkas against wind and cold.
- RWS rainwear for rainy conditions
- RWS trousers and work trousers with stripes.
- RWS sweaters, RWS polo shirts and RWS t-shirts for summer conditions.
- Accessories such as helmets and work gloves with visibility elements.
Road work clothing and traffic clothing
In addition to traditional workwear, there are also road work garments and specialized traffic clothing that meet the same visibility requirements. This is ideal for temporary work or visitors to a worksite.
Can you print RWS work clothing?
RWS workwear may be provided with logos and company names. However, strict requirements apply.
- A maximum of one marking may be applied to the front of each garment. The maximum area is 70 x 70 mm.
- A maximum of one brand mark or company name may be applied to the back of each garment. This mark must be located between the vertical stripes and must not be higher than 70 mm.
- The brand marks and company names may not be retro-reflective
Buy RWS workwear at Unishore Workwear
At Unishore Workwear, you'll find a wide range of RWS clothing from top brands like Tricorp, Mascot, Havep, and Hydrowear. We offer:
- Competitive prices and fast delivery.
- Tailor-made advice for companies and governments.
- Possibility of printing and embroidery with company logos.
View the collection: RWS workwear at Unishore .
Frequently asked questions about RWS work clothing
Are there different types of RWS work clothing for summer and winter?
Yes, there are lightweight vests and T-shirts for summer and lined jackets and trousers for winter. So you're always safe and comfortable.
What is the difference with other reflective clothing?
RWS workwear has specific stripes and is always Class 3, making you more visible than with standard reflective clothing.
Why is RWS work clothing important?
It prevents accidents, meets legal requirements and provides a professional appearance on Rijkswaterstaat projects.
When can yellow be used as RWS work clothing?
Yellow may only be used in consultation with Rijkswaterstaat (the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management) and is almost never used anymore. Before July 1, 2019, yellow was used for railway lines, but this has since been changed to orange.
Is RWS work clothing also mandatory outside the Netherlands?
No, this is a requirement of the Dutch Rijkswaterstaat (the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management). Abroad, it's generally mandatory that roadside clothing complies with EN ISO 20471, meaning that Rijkswaterstaat workwear is suitable in most countries.
What additional additions are allowed on the clothing?
Additional features applied to RWS clothing are permitted under certain conditions.
- Glow-in-the-dark stripes increase the wearer's visibility in unlit locations. They may only be applied along the RWS stripes themselves.
- Lighting on RWS clothing is not permitted because it will cause distraction to road users.
Information via Rijkswaterstaat
