RIS-3279-TOM Compliant Workwear: The UK Rail Industry Guide
If your business operates within the UK rail industry, choosing high-visibility workwear is about more than simply selecting an orange hi-vis garment.
For workers operating on or near railway infrastructure, high-visibility clothing may need to meet the specific requirements of RIS-3279-TOM, the Rail Industry Standard covering high-visibility clothing.
For rail contractors, subcontractors, engineering companies, maintenance teams and other businesses supplying workers into the rail environment, understanding this standard is an important part of choosing appropriate workwear.
In this guide, we explain what RIS-3279-TOM means, how it relates to EN ISO 20471, why railway high-vis clothing is fluorescent orange, what to consider when choosing garments and how businesses can incorporate their branding without compromising the garment's required visibility.
What is RIS-3279-TOM?
RIS-3279-TOM is a Rail Industry Standard covering the minimum requirements for high-visibility clothing used within the UK railway environment.
The standard is maintained by the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) and is listed within its Rail Industry Standards catalogue.
The current standard is RIS-3279-TOM Issue 2. It was issued in September 2019 and remains in force following its most recent review in May 2026. RSSB confirmed that no further action was required following that review.
RIS-3279-TOM replaced the earlier GO/RT 3279 railway standard. The current standard establishes requirements for high-visibility clothing used by personnel working within the railway environment.
It is therefore important that businesses don't simply assume that any orange high-vis garment is suitable for rail work.
RIS-3279-TOM and EN ISO 20471 – what's the difference?
This is one of the most important distinctions to understand when purchasing rail workwear.
EN ISO 20471 is the general standard for high-visibility clothing. It establishes requirements for the colour, retroreflective materials, minimum areas of visible material and overall performance of high-visibility garments.
RIS-3279-TOM builds upon those high-visibility requirements with additional requirements specifically for the UK railway environment.
One of the most obvious differences is colour.
While EN ISO 20471 permits different fluorescent background colours, RIS-3279-TOM specifies fluorescent orange for railway use.
This means that a yellow high-vis garment that meets EN ISO 20471 is not automatically a suitable substitute for an orange garment that meets RIS-3279-TOM.
For businesses purchasing rail workwear, checking the actual certification of the garment is therefore essential.
Why is railway high-vis clothing orange?
The distinctive fluorescent orange colour is one of the defining characteristics of UK railway high-visibility clothing.
RIS-3279-TOM specifies a particular fluorescent orange rather than allowing businesses to select any shade of orange they prefer. The standard includes specific colour requirements to ensure consistency and visibility within the railway environment.
This is why railway workwear can look noticeably different from the yellow or two-tone hi-vis garments commonly seen in construction, highways and general industrial work.
The colour isn't simply a branding or aesthetic choice. It forms part of the requirements of the railway-specific standard.
Who might need RIS-3279-TOM workwear?
RIS-3279-TOM is particularly relevant to businesses whose employees or contractors work within the UK railway environment.
Depending on the nature of the work and the requirements of the relevant organisation or site, this can include:
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Railway contractors
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Rail infrastructure contractors
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Railway subcontractors
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Track maintenance companies
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Rail engineering companies
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Infrastructure and construction contractors
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Railway maintenance teams
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Inspection and surveying teams
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Rail installation companies
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Railway signalling and communications contractors
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Companies supplying personnel to rail infrastructure projects
The precise PPE requirements will depend on the work being undertaken and the rules of the relevant railway organisation or project.
For that reason, businesses should always establish the requirements for their particular workforce before ordering large quantities of clothing.
What types of workwear can meet RIS-3279-TOM?
RIS-3279-TOM compliant garments are available across a wide range of workwear categories.
Depending on the requirements of the workforce, examples can include:
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Hi-vis vests
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Hi-vis T-shirts
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Hi-vis sweatshirts
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Hi-vis waterproof jackets
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Hi-vis coveralls
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Hi-vis bodywarmers
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Other specialist high-visibility garments
The important point is that the garment itself needs to meet the relevant requirements.
It isn't sufficient to take an ordinary orange garment and assume that adding reflective tape or a company logo will make it compliant.
When purchasing workwear for rail use, look for the appropriate certification and documentation for the individual garment.
Can RIS-3279-TOM workwear be branded?
Yes, branded workwear can be an important part of a rail contractor's uniform.
Railway companies and contractors still need their workforce to present a professional and consistent appearance, while ensuring that required high-visibility characteristics aren't compromised.
Company logos can be incorporated into high-visibility garments, but branding needs to be considered carefully.
Adding a large logo, additional material or other decoration can potentially affect the amount of visible fluorescent or retroreflective material available on the garment.
This means that the fact a garment is originally certified does not mean that every possible method or placement of branding will automatically be appropriate.
The starting point should always be the manufacturer's guidance and the requirements applicable to the garment.
At ColorCoded Workwear, we can help businesses consider the branding requirements alongside the garment itself rather than treating embroidery or printing as an afterthought.
Embroidery or printing – which is better for rail workwear?
The answer depends on the garment, its construction, the location of the branding and the requirements of the individual project.
For some garments, embroidery can provide a particularly professional and durable company identity.
For others, a suitable transfer or printed application may be more appropriate, particularly where a larger logo or specific visual treatment is required.
With high-visibility garments, however, the question isn't simply:
"Which decoration looks best?"
It is:
"How can we brand the garment while maintaining the required performance and visibility characteristics?"
That's an important distinction when you're supplying workwear for a safety-critical environment.
Choosing RIS-3279-TOM workwear for your workforce
When specifying rail workwear, there are several questions worth considering before placing an order.
1. What work is being undertaken?
Different jobs can have different PPE requirements.
Understanding the working environment, tasks and exposure to railway operations should be the starting point.
2. What garments does the workforce actually need?
A track worker working outdoors throughout the winter may need a very different clothing system from a worker carrying out short-duration work during warmer weather.
A complete rail workwear collection could include:
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T-shirts or polos for warmer conditions
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Sweatshirts for additional warmth
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Jackets for cold and wet weather
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Trousers for everyday site work
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Waterproof outerwear for exposed environments
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Specialist garments where required
3. Does each garment meet the required standard?
Don't assume that because one item in a collection is RIS-3279-TOM compliant, every garment from that manufacturer or product range automatically meets the same requirements.
Check the certification for the actual garment being purchased.
4. How will the garments be branded?
Think about logo size, placement, decoration method and the effect branding could have on the visible areas of the garment.
5. How will the clothing be maintained?
High-visibility garments are working PPE. Washing, wear, damage, fading and deterioration of reflective materials can all affect garment performance.
Always follow the manufacturer's care instructions and replace garments when they are no longer suitable for use.
Common mistakes when buying rail hi-vis workwear
One of the easiest mistakes is assuming that all orange hi-vis clothing is rail compliant.
It isn't.
Other common mistakes include:
Assuming EN ISO 20471 alone is enough
EN ISO 20471 is an important high-visibility standard, but rail work can involve additional requirements.
Always establish whether RIS-3279-TOM is required for the work being undertaken.
Choosing a garment because it is the right colour
The fact that a garment is orange doesn't make it RIS-3279-TOM compliant.
The garment needs to meet the relevant requirements.
Treating branding as an afterthought
Adding a large logo after selecting a garment can create unnecessary complications.
Branding should be considered as part of the garment specification from the beginning.
Buying different garments from multiple suppliers
For larger workforces, managing different suppliers, colours, styles and branding arrangements can quickly become complicated.
A coordinated workwear collection can make ordering, replacement and workforce consistency considerably easier.
Building a branded rail workwear collection
For businesses employing larger numbers of rail workers, it can make sense to think beyond individual garments and create a complete branded workwear collection.
For example, a business might require:
Summer
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RIS-3279-TOM hi-vis T-shirts
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RIS-3279-TOM polo shirts
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Rail-spec trousers
Spring/Autumn
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Long-sleeve polos
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Sweatshirts
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Lightweight jackets
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Rail-spec trousers
Winter
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Insulated jackets
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Waterproof outerwear
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Warm layers
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Rail-spec trousers or coveralls
The advantage of approaching workwear this way is that the business can create a consistent identity across its workforce while selecting garments appropriate for different working conditions.
For larger teams, it can also make ongoing reordering much simpler.
Branded rail workwear for contractors and subcontractors
For a rail contractor or subcontractor, workwear can serve two purposes.
First, it needs to perform its practical safety function.
Second, it represents the company working on the project.
A properly specified and professionally branded uniform can help create a consistent appearance across employees and subcontractors while reinforcing the company's identity.
For companies working on major rail projects, that consistency can become particularly valuable when multiple teams and contractors are operating within the same environment.
Why choosing the right supplier matters
When you're buying a handful of garments, choosing workwear can appear relatively straightforward.
When you're responsible for outfitting an entire workforce, the decision becomes much more important.
You need to consider:
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Compliance
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Garment suitability
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Comfort
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Durability
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Weather conditions
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Branding
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Sizing
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Stock availability
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Replacement requirements
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Future reordering
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Budget
That's why we believe the best workwear conversations should start with understanding the business and its workforce rather than immediately recommending a product.
At ColorCoded Workwear, our approach is simple:
Understand first. Recommend second. Sell last.
We'll help you look at what your workforce actually needs, the standards that apply to your working environment and the most appropriate garments for your requirements.
Need branded RIS-3279-TOM workwear?
If you're a rail contractor, subcontractor or business supplying personnel into the UK railway industry, we'd be happy to discuss your requirements.
Whether you're looking for a small branded collection or workwear for a larger workforce, we can help you consider the garment, compliance requirements and branding together.
Tell us about your workforce, the work you undertake and what you need your workwear to achieve.
We'll help you identify suitable options before you place your order.
Request a Workwear Recommendation
RIS-3279-TOM Workwear FAQs
What does RIS-3279-TOM stand for?
RIS-3279-TOM is a Rail Industry Standard covering high-visibility clothing requirements for the UK railway industry. It is maintained by the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB).
Is RIS-3279-TOM still current?
Yes. RSSB's current catalogue lists RIS-3279-TOM Issue 2 as live and in force. Its most recent review took place in May 2026, with the next review scheduled for September 2031.
Is RIS-3279-TOM the same as EN ISO 20471?
No. RIS-3279-TOM relates specifically to the UK railway environment and builds on high-visibility requirements associated with EN ISO 20471. One of its defining requirements is the use of fluorescent orange for the background material.
Why is railway hi-vis clothing orange?
RIS-3279-TOM specifies fluorescent orange for railway high-visibility clothing. The standard defines specific colour requirements rather than allowing any general shade of orange.
Can I put my company logo on RIS-3279-TOM clothing?
Branded rail workwear is possible, but the branding needs to be considered alongside the garment's visibility requirements. The size and placement of logos and other decoration should not be assumed to be acceptable without considering the requirements of the garment.
Can I use yellow hi-vis clothing for railway work?
Not simply because it meets EN ISO 20471. Where RIS-3279-TOM applies, the railway-specific requirements include fluorescent orange background material.
Does every orange hi-vis garment meet RIS-3279-TOM?
No. The colour alone does not establish compliance. Businesses should check the certification and technical information for the specific garment.
Can ColorCoded Workwear supply branded rail workwear?
We can help businesses identify suitable workwear and branding options for their workforce. If you operate within the rail industry, contact us with details of your workforce and requirements and we'll help you work through the options.
