What is RIS-3279-TOM and Why It Matters
The Railway Group Standard RIS-3279-TOM sets out the minimum requirements for high-visibility clothing to be worn by workers on or near the UK rail network. RSSB
Developed and maintained by Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), it addresses the specific visibility risks faced by rail-industry personnel — where trains travel at speed, often under poor lighting or adverse weather. satra.com+1
Compliance with RIS-3279-TOM is essential for procurement teams, safety officers and contractors working in the rail environment; non-compliant garments may lead to safety breaches or contract failures.
Relationship with EN ISO 20471 (and Why It’s Not Enough by Itself)
While the universal standard EN ISO 20471 deals with high-visibility clothing across many sectors, RIS-3279-TOM is rail-specific and stricter in certain areas. For example:
- EN ISO 20471 allows fluorescent colours such as yellow, orange-red or red; RIS-3279-TOM mandates a specific orange spectrum for optimal visibility on the rail network. Hazchem Safety Ltd
- RIS-3279-TOM requires tape layout, background coverage and retro-reflective performance designed for train-headlight illumination and high-speed situations. satra.com
Thus, a garment certified only to EN ISO 20471 may not meet all the requirements for rail-industry wear unless it explicitly states compliance to RIS-3279-TOM.
Colour, Reflective Tape & Garment Design Requirements
Key design stipulations under RIS-3279-TOM include:
- A background of fluorescent orange with chromaticity and luminance values specified in the standard. Hazchem Safety Ltd
- Minimum areas of orange background and retro-reflective material — often correlating with EN ISO 20471 Class 2 or higher, though the standard may allow some Class 1 variants (mini-vest) under strict conditions. satra.com
- Reflective tape placement must ensure high visibility from drivers’ headlights and across a range of working postures; company logos or branding must not compromise visibility surfaces. satra.com
- Garment types include full-sleeve jackets, bibs, trousers and accessories, depending on work environment (e.g., red-zone vs green-zone working).
Certification & Compliance Path for UK Rail Projects
For procurement teams and workwear specifiers, understanding the certification pathway is vital:
- Wearers must check for UKCA or CE marking as per UK market access rules, and the garment must reference RIS-3279-TOM, not just EN ISO 20471.
- Testing must be carried out by accredited laboratories (e.g., SATRA Technology Centre) which can verify colour, luminance, retro-reflectivity, durability (post-wash, abrasion), and tape design. satra.com
- Documentation should include a Declaration of Conformity and test reports which procurement/audit teams must hold for traceability.
- For rail contractors, specifying “compliant to RIS-3279-TOM Issue 2” (or latest) ensures alignment with current requirements. RSSB
How OAKLINE® Meets (and Exceeds) RIS-3279-TOM
At OAKLINE®, our PRO range is engineered for rail-industry compliance — and beyond.
- Our Kimi Jacket (Orange – Rail Spec) is built to the specific orange spectrum and reflective-tape design demanded by the standard.
- We apply segmented reflective tape for flexibility and better wear comfort, particularly under rail-work postures.
- Our outer fabrics are chosen with durability and wash-cycle performance in mind — ensuring the jacket maintains its certified attributes across its service life.
- For combined visibility and waterproof protection, we often integrate companion standards such as EN 343 (waterproofing) alongside RIS-3279-TOM compliance.
- We maintain transparent documentation for our clients — every unit supplied comes with full test reports and declarations.
Explore our rail-industry range here: OAKLINE Shop – Rail Spec Hi-Vis
Learn why OAKLINE stands out: Why OAKLINE®
Buyer’s Checklist – Rail Hi-Vis Specification
To ensure you procure correctly for rail-site safety and compliance, please verify:
- Garment label explicitly states RIS-3279-TOM (plus issue number) along with EN ISO 20471.
- Background fabric is fluorescent orange matching the defined chromaticity values.
- Reflective tape layout is designed for full-body visibility under rail-specific conditions.
- Test reports from accredited labs confirm retro-reflectivity and durability after wash/abrasion.
- UKCA/CE marking is valid for GB/EU market, documentation available for audit purposes.
- Supplier offers traceability and long-term support — replacement intervals and maintenance guidance.
- Garment meets service-life requirements for your site (e.g., number of washes, change-out cycles).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is RIS-3279-TOM mandatory for all rail workers?
Yes – for any person working on or near the UK rail network, high-visibility clothing must meet the standard. The specification was created to help network operators meet their railway-duty obligations under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and network railway regulations. RSSB
Can I just use a standard hi-vis jacket certified to EN ISO 20471?
No – unless the garment is also certified to RIS-3279-TOM (with the correct background colour, tape layout and retro-reflectivity). Rail-industry working demands stricter parameters.
Why must the background colour be orange?
Studies show orange offers the best contrast in rail-environment scenarios (against vegetation, sleepers, ballast, and train headlights). RIS-3279-TOM mandates a defined orange region to ensure this. Hazchem Safety Ltd
Sources & Further Reading
- “High visibility on the railways” – SATRA Technology Centre. satra.com
- “RIS-3279-TOM” – ProGARM workwear insights. ProGARM
- “Understanding RIS-3279-TOM – The rail industry standard for PPE” – Skanwear blog. Skanwear®
- “RIS-3279-TOM Issue 2 – High visibility clothing” – RSSB. RSSB
- “What is RIS-3279-TOM Standard?” – Lion Safety blog. SMI
Conclusion
By understanding RIS-3279-TOM, procurement professionals, site managers and safety officers in the UK rail sector can confidently specify the correct garments — ensuring compliance, visibility and ultimately, the safety of their workforce. At OAKLINE®, we are committed to meeting these standards — and delivering hi-vis solutions designed to perform, not just comply.
