When the weather is cold, it is important to show up for the job prepared. The fact that your workwear will need insulation that will allow you to complete tasks comfortably while staying warm is obvious, but we may not always know how much or how little insulation we need. Another question we may ask ourselves while we prepare for work in frigid temperatures is, will the clothing keep us protected from cold for the intended life of the product? Continue Reading…
We already know that layering clothing is the best way to stay warm in cold weather, right? And with advances in fabric technology over the last 10 to 15 years, today’s cold weather warriors can now utilize all layers to help keep skin dry – even with flame-resistant workwear.
Remember, effective layering means starting with a base layer that wicks (pulls) moisture away from the body, a middle layer that insulates and an outer layer that keeps out the wind and water. Until recently, silk and wool were considered the best moisture-wicking fabrics. And they are still good choices, especially for those who prefer natural fibers. But moisture-wicking technology has improved dramatically with innovative new synthetic fabrics and blends. Continue Reading…
When choosing clothing for cold-weather layering, insulated clothing will add warmth. And thanks to a new ANSI standard, working people and employers now have a new tool to help sort through the choices in insulated clothing. The American National Standard for Classification of Insulating Apparel Used in Cold Work Environments (ANSO/ISEA 201-2012) creates a new voluntary industry standard that assigns a thermal performance category based on the garment’s insulating value after a set number of cleaning cycles.
Winter winds will soon be blowing and hazards associated with exposure to cold come with the season. Without proper protection, people who work outside during winter, as well as those whose interior work environments expose them to cold, face serious health risks such as frostbite, hypothermia, and even death. Fortunately, risks associated with exposure to cold can be reduced substantially with the proper work attire, and today we offer information and resources to help you prepare now for protection against unnecessary risk. Continue Reading…
For those of us that work outdoors in the winter, like construction workers, utility workers, road crews, commercial fishermen, police officers, firefighters and military members just to name a few, specialized weather-appropriate clothing and accessories are a necessity.
In addition to health risks like hypothermia and frostbite that are caused by exposure to cold weather, there are other issues that cold weather presents in the outdoor workplace. Extreme cold can also decrease efficiency and increase the likelihood of work-related accidents and injuries. This is because your brain and body are both slowed by the cold. The dexterity of your fingers is reduced when they’re cold. Ever try to type after a snowball fight? Difficult. The same principles apply to working in the extreme cold. Continue Reading…
