Rail Clothing
Rail clothing is specifically designed to meet the strict safety and visibility requirements of the UK rail industry, where all garments worn on or near railway infrastructure must comply with RIS-3279-TOM. At CMT Group, we supply a complete range of RIS-3279-TOM compliant rail clothing, including orange hi-vis jackets, trousers, coveralls, and wet weather outerwear, built for the compliance, durability, and all-weather performance demanded by real trackside environments.
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Whether you are supplying a single rail contractor or managing ongoing procurement for a major infrastructure programme, our rail clothing range provides the compliance, consistency, and stock availability that rail projects require.
- ✓ RIS-3279-TOM compliant rail clothing for trackside and lineside work
- ✓ Fluorescent orange garments meeting the Network Rail full orange policy
- ✓ EN ISO 20471 Class 3 as standard for outer garments
- ✓ Jackets, trousers, coveralls, wet weather and base layers all available
- ✓ Durable garments built for high-frequency use in all weather conditions
- ✓ Compatible with layered PPE systems and rail-specific accessories
- ✓ Bulk supply for contractors, infrastructure providers and rail teams
What is RIS-3279-TOM Rail Compliance?
RIS-3279-TOM is the UK rail industry standard that governs high-visibility clothing worn by workers on or near railway tracks and infrastructure. Published by the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), it sets strict requirements for garment colour, retroreflective material area, and visibility performance, ensuring workers remain clearly identifiable to train drivers and other rail traffic in all light and weather conditions.
Unlike general high-visibility standards, RIS-3279-TOM requires fluorescent orange as the sole acceptable colour for trackside working. Yellow hi-vis garments, regardless of their EN ISO 20471 class, do not meet this requirement. All outer garments must meet EN ISO 20471 Class 3 as a minimum, and full-body compliance is required for anyone working in the clearance zone. Compliance is not advisory: it is a contractual requirement on all UK rail infrastructure projects and Network Rail controlled sites.
Rail Clothing by Garment Type
Our range covers every RIS-3279-TOM compliant garment required on UK rail infrastructure projects, from base layers to full wet weather systems.
Choosing the Right Rail Clothing
Rail clothing selection must be led by compliance requirements before any other consideration. All garments must be RIS-3279-TOM certified and fluorescent orange. For outer garments worn during trackside or lineside working, EN ISO 20471 Class 3 is the minimum requirement. Full-body visibility compliance is achieved by combining a certified jacket with certified trousers, or by wearing a certified coverall.
Additional garment layers such as sweatshirts, bodywarmers, and wet weather clothing must also be RIS-3279-TOM certified when worn as the outermost visible layer. Non-certified base layers worn entirely beneath a certified outer garment are acceptable, but any garment that is visible during working must meet the standard. Procurement teams should always verify certification documentation before issuing garments to trackside workers.
| Working environment | Garment required | Standard required |
|---|---|---|
| Trackside / in clearance zone | Orange jacket and trousers or coverall | RIS-3279-TOM · EN ISO 20471 Class 3 |
| Lineside working | Orange jacket and trousers | RIS-3279-TOM · EN ISO 20471 Class 3 |
| Wet or cold weather trackside | Orange waterproof jacket (outermost) and trousers | RIS-3279-TOM · EN ISO 20471 Class 3 |
| Cold weather layering | Orange bodywarmer or sweatshirt (if outermost) | RIS-3279-TOM required if visible |
| Rail maintenance / inspection | Orange coverall or overall | RIS-3279-TOM · EN ISO 20471 Class 3 |
| Rail site office / non-trackside | Orange polo shirt or T-shirt | RIS-3279-TOM · EN ISO 20471 Class 2 |
Rail Clothing Supply for UK Infrastructure Projects
Rail clothing plays a critical role in maintaining worker safety across the UK rail network, where operatives work in environments with live train movements, complex infrastructure, and varying light and weather conditions. High-visibility garments certified to RIS-3279-TOM ensure workers remain clearly visible to train drivers and other traffic in all conditions, reducing the risk of serious incidents and ensuring compliance with Network Rail and rail contractor safety requirements.
At CMT Group, we support rail contractors, infrastructure providers, and procurement teams with scalable RIS-3279-TOM compliant clothing supply, ensuring consistency and availability across projects of any scale. Our range is built to meet the demands of modern rail infrastructure work, with fast UK delivery, bulk pricing, and dedicated account management available for teams requiring ongoing supply.
Frequently asked questions
What is RIS-3279-TOM rail clothing?
RIS-3279-TOM is the UK rail industry standard that governs high-visibility clothing worn by workers on or near railway infrastructure. It sets strict requirements for garment colour (fluorescent orange only), retroreflective material coverage, and visibility performance to ensure workers remain clearly visible to train drivers and other rail traffic at all times.
Is orange hi-vis mandatory for rail work?
Yes. Under the Network Rail and wider rail industry full orange policy, fluorescent orange is mandatory for anyone working on or near railway infrastructure. Yellow hi-vis garments do not meet RIS-3279-TOM requirements regardless of their EN ISO 20471 class, and cannot be substituted for orange garments on UK rail sites.
Is EN ISO 20471 enough for rail clothing?
No. All RIS-3279-TOM garments must also meet EN ISO 20471, but EN ISO 20471 certification alone is not sufficient for rail use. Garments must specifically carry RIS-3279-TOM certification, which includes additional colour requirements and performance criteria beyond the general EN ISO 20471 standard.
Can I bulk order rail-compliant clothing from CMT Group?
Yes. CMT Group supplies RIS-3279-TOM compliant rail clothing in bulk for contractors, infrastructure providers, and multi-site rail operations. Orders can be managed through our EDGE procurement portal. Contact your account manager to discuss volume pricing and ongoing supply for rail projects.
What clothing is required for trackside rail workers?
Trackside workers typically require an orange RIS-3279-TOM certified jacket and trousers to achieve EN ISO 20471 Class 3 full-body visibility. Depending on conditions and task, additional garments such as waterproof wet weather clothing, coveralls, salopettes, or bodywarmers may also be required, all of which must carry RIS-3279-TOM certification if worn as the outermost visible layer.
Why buy rail clothing from CMT Group?
CMT Group supplies fully compliant RIS-3279-TOM rail clothing at scale, with fast UK delivery including same-day and next-day despatch for urgent rail projects. Our range covers every garment type required on UK rail infrastructure, with consistent stock, bulk pricing, and dedicated account management for procurement teams.
EN ISO 20471 vs RIS-3279-TOM: Why Standard Hi-Vis is Not Sufficient for Rail Work
EN ISO 20471 is the general high-visibility standard used across construction, highways, and industrial environments. It specifies minimum areas of fluorescent background material and retroreflective banding and allows both yellow and orange as compliant fluorescent colours. RIS-3279-TOM is the rail industry-specific standard, published by the Rail Safety and Standards Board, which supersedes EN ISO 20471 for trackside and lineside working on UK rail infrastructure.
The critical difference is colour. RIS-3279-TOM mandates fluorescent orange as the only acceptable colour for garments worn on or near railway tracks, because orange provides a distinct visual contrast against the trackside environment, signal equipment, and lineside vegetation that yellow cannot reliably provide. A yellow EN ISO 20471 Class 3 jacket that would be fully compliant on a construction site or highway is not acceptable for rail work, regardless of its class. Any contractor supplying garments for rail use must ensure all garments carry explicit RIS-3279-TOM certification, not just EN ISO 20471.
Accreditations and memberships
Shop Rail Clothing by Type
Rail Clothing
Rail clothing is specifically designed to meet the strict safety and visibility requirements of the UK rail industry, where all garments worn on or near railway infrastructure must comply with RIS-3279-TOM. At CMT Group, we supply a complete range of RIS-3279-TOM compliant rail clothing, including orange hi-vis jackets, trousers, coveralls, and wet weather outerwear, built for the compliance, durability, and all-weather performance demanded by real trackside environments.
Read more Read less
Whether you are supplying a single rail contractor or managing ongoing procurement for a major infrastructure programme, our rail clothing range provides the compliance, consistency, and stock availability that rail projects require.
- ✓ RIS-3279-TOM compliant rail clothing for trackside and lineside work
- ✓ Fluorescent orange garments meeting the Network Rail full orange policy
- ✓ EN ISO 20471 Class 3 as standard for outer garments
- ✓ Jackets, trousers, coveralls, wet weather and base layers all available
- ✓ Durable garments built for high-frequency use in all weather conditions
- ✓ Compatible with layered PPE systems and rail-specific accessories
- ✓ Bulk supply for contractors, infrastructure providers and rail teams
What is RIS-3279-TOM Rail Compliance?
RIS-3279-TOM is the UK rail industry standard that governs high-visibility clothing worn by workers on or near railway tracks and infrastructure. Published by the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), it sets strict requirements for garment colour, retroreflective material area, and visibility performance, ensuring workers remain clearly identifiable to train drivers and other rail traffic in all light and weather conditions.
Unlike general high-visibility standards, RIS-3279-TOM requires fluorescent orange as the sole acceptable colour for trackside working. Yellow hi-vis garments, regardless of their EN ISO 20471 class, do not meet this requirement. All outer garments must meet EN ISO 20471 Class 3 as a minimum, and full-body compliance is required for anyone working in the clearance zone. Compliance is not advisory: it is a contractual requirement on all UK rail infrastructure projects and Network Rail controlled sites.
Rail Clothing by Garment Type
Our range covers every RIS-3279-TOM compliant garment required on UK rail infrastructure projects, from base layers to full wet weather systems.
Choosing the Right Rail Clothing
Rail clothing selection must be led by compliance requirements before any other consideration. All garments must be RIS-3279-TOM certified and fluorescent orange. For outer garments worn during trackside or lineside working, EN ISO 20471 Class 3 is the minimum requirement. Full-body visibility compliance is achieved by combining a certified jacket with certified trousers, or by wearing a certified coverall.
Additional garment layers such as sweatshirts, bodywarmers, and wet weather clothing must also be RIS-3279-TOM certified when worn as the outermost visible layer. Non-certified base layers worn entirely beneath a certified outer garment are acceptable, but any garment that is visible during working must meet the standard. Procurement teams should always verify certification documentation before issuing garments to trackside workers.
| Working environment | Garment required | Standard required |
|---|---|---|
| Trackside / in clearance zone | Orange jacket and trousers or coverall | RIS-3279-TOM · EN ISO 20471 Class 3 |
| Lineside working | Orange jacket and trousers | RIS-3279-TOM · EN ISO 20471 Class 3 |
| Wet or cold weather trackside | Orange waterproof jacket (outermost) and trousers | RIS-3279-TOM · EN ISO 20471 Class 3 |
| Cold weather layering | Orange bodywarmer or sweatshirt (if outermost) | RIS-3279-TOM required if visible |
| Rail maintenance / inspection | Orange coverall or overall | RIS-3279-TOM · EN ISO 20471 Class 3 |
| Rail site office / non-trackside | Orange polo shirt or T-shirt | RIS-3279-TOM · EN ISO 20471 Class 2 |
Rail Clothing Supply for UK Infrastructure Projects
Rail clothing plays a critical role in maintaining worker safety across the UK rail network, where operatives work in environments with live train movements, complex infrastructure, and varying light and weather conditions. High-visibility garments certified to RIS-3279-TOM ensure workers remain clearly visible to train drivers and other traffic in all conditions, reducing the risk of serious incidents and ensuring compliance with Network Rail and rail contractor safety requirements.
At CMT Group, we support rail contractors, infrastructure providers, and procurement teams with scalable RIS-3279-TOM compliant clothing supply, ensuring consistency and availability across projects of any scale. Our range is built to meet the demands of modern rail infrastructure work, with fast UK delivery, bulk pricing, and dedicated account management available for teams requiring ongoing supply.
Frequently asked questions
What is RIS-3279-TOM rail clothing?
RIS-3279-TOM is the UK rail industry standard that governs high-visibility clothing worn by workers on or near railway infrastructure. It sets strict requirements for garment colour (fluorescent orange only), retroreflective material coverage, and visibility performance to ensure workers remain clearly visible to train drivers and other rail traffic at all times.
Is orange hi-vis mandatory for rail work?
Yes. Under the Network Rail and wider rail industry full orange policy, fluorescent orange is mandatory for anyone working on or near railway infrastructure. Yellow hi-vis garments do not meet RIS-3279-TOM requirements regardless of their EN ISO 20471 class, and cannot be substituted for orange garments on UK rail sites.
Is EN ISO 20471 enough for rail clothing?
No. All RIS-3279-TOM garments must also meet EN ISO 20471, but EN ISO 20471 certification alone is not sufficient for rail use. Garments must specifically carry RIS-3279-TOM certification, which includes additional colour requirements and performance criteria beyond the general EN ISO 20471 standard.
Can I bulk order rail-compliant clothing from CMT Group?
Yes. CMT Group supplies RIS-3279-TOM compliant rail clothing in bulk for contractors, infrastructure providers, and multi-site rail operations. Orders can be managed through our EDGE procurement portal. Contact your account manager to discuss volume pricing and ongoing supply for rail projects.
What clothing is required for trackside rail workers?
Trackside workers typically require an orange RIS-3279-TOM certified jacket and trousers to achieve EN ISO 20471 Class 3 full-body visibility. Depending on conditions and task, additional garments such as waterproof wet weather clothing, coveralls, salopettes, or bodywarmers may also be required, all of which must carry RIS-3279-TOM certification if worn as the outermost visible layer.
Why buy rail clothing from CMT Group?
CMT Group supplies fully compliant RIS-3279-TOM rail clothing at scale, with fast UK delivery including same-day and next-day despatch for urgent rail projects. Our range covers every garment type required on UK rail infrastructure, with consistent stock, bulk pricing, and dedicated account management for procurement teams.
EN ISO 20471 vs RIS-3279-TOM: Why Standard Hi-Vis is Not Sufficient for Rail Work
EN ISO 20471 is the general high-visibility standard used across construction, highways, and industrial environments. It specifies minimum areas of fluorescent background material and retroreflective banding and allows both yellow and orange as compliant fluorescent colours. RIS-3279-TOM is the rail industry-specific standard, published by the Rail Safety and Standards Board, which supersedes EN ISO 20471 for trackside and lineside working on UK rail infrastructure.
The critical difference is colour. RIS-3279-TOM mandates fluorescent orange as the only acceptable colour for garments worn on or near railway tracks, because orange provides a distinct visual contrast against the trackside environment, signal equipment, and lineside vegetation that yellow cannot reliably provide. A yellow EN ISO 20471 Class 3 jacket that would be fully compliant on a construction site or highway is not acceptable for rail work, regardless of its class. Any contractor supplying garments for rail use must ensure all garments carry explicit RIS-3279-TOM certification, not just EN ISO 20471.
Accreditations and memberships
