As fall approaches, students are not the only ones who need to be prepping for the months ahead. For all you blue-collar workers, this time of year serves as an excellent reminder to assess your work footwear and clothing and replace anything that is beyond repair.
Why Evaluate Your Work Footwear and Clothing Now? ‘
Regular inspections can help ensure your safety, efficiency, and overall job performance. Using key times of the year as a reminder to check your footwear and clothing will help ensure you are prepared for the months to come. Whether that is for weather changes (warm to cold or cold to warm) or to assess when you will need your next pair of work boots or shoes, regular assessment is setting your future self up for success.
Here are some benefits to consider –
Safety First –
Safety, do we really need to say more?
Damaged or worn-out equipment can lead to accidents and injuries. Ensuring that your work footwear and clothing meet safety standards is crucial for your well-being. Whether you have a newbie on the site looking up to you, a family at home that relies on you, or your Tamagotchi from 1996 that has somehow not died – your safety is valuable.
Efficiency and Productivity
High-quality, functional footwear and clothing reduces time lost to fixing holes, stuck zippers, and worn out soles (let’s be real, we all know you are using duck-taping to keep those boots together). Work footwear and clothing that work as they should, are more comfortable, safe, and reduces how much duct tape you are buying.
Cost-Effectiveness And Less Embarrassment
Regular maintenance and timely replacements can save you money in the long run. If the soles on your work boots are separating, they are likely also tearing up your socks. (We see you with that duck-tape – stop it).
You don’t want to be the guy that rips his pants at work. When your work clothes are worn out, it increases the risk of a full moon on Wednesday morning.
Knowing when you need your footwear and clothing replaced will allow you to prepare and watch for when your favorite boots go on sale (or when you get some sweet, free socks with your boot purchase).
Changing Seasons
Back to school represents the change from Summer to Fall. With that comes cooler temperatures, and for some parts of the country, it is snow. Pulling out and evaluating your winter wear now allows you to get ahead of the game. Most winter-specific items sell out quickly in the fall months. Don’t get caught in December, 12 hours from the first blizzard, without warm gloves, hats, base layers, or snow gear.
What to Look For
Knowing what to look for makes it easier to spot problems. We’ve compiled a list of common issues with your work footwear and clothing.
Wear and Tear
Clothing – Inspect your clothing for visible signs of wear and tear. This includes fraying, holes, or thinned fabric. If there is excessive pilling in areas like your armpits, it may be time to replace the shirt.
If your clothing is FR rated and has been washed with fabric softener, washed more than is recommended for the FR garment type (treated versus natural), or has been exposed to flammable materials, it’s time to replace them. Not sure how to care for your FR workwear, we’ve got you covered in this blog.
Footwear – Inspect the soles of your work boots or shoes. If the sole is thin, the tread is worn, or you see holes or cracks it is time to replace them. Soles have a limited number of steps, depending on the material the sole is made from. Plan to replace your footwear before your soles have completely worn out. This gives you time to switch between your current footwear and the new footwear in order to break them in.
Other things to look for with your footwear include stitching coming loose, worn-out insoles (many times these can be replaced), and worn-out or damaged spots in the fabric or leather of the footwear. If your footwear has a safety toe feature and you have experienced having a heavy object land on your foot – you need to replace them. Crushing incidents on your safety toe box can reduce its effectiveness if a future incident were to happen.
Functionalitt
Ensure that all of your clothing and footwear functions as it should. Check zippers, buttons, snaps, and any other moving parts to make sure they operate smoothly. No one wants to get stuck in their coat because the zipper won’t budge. If you have an item that has a deficient zipper or is missing buttons or snaps – start looking for new work footwear and clothing now.
Fit and Comfort
An often overlooked aspect is the fit and comfort of your work footwear and clothing. While we always notice if something is too small, clothing that is too big creates a safety hazard. If the neckline of your favorite Carhartt K87 hangs lower than Dumbo’s ears, you know it’s time to get a new set.
Featured Brand This Month: Carhartt
At Working Person’s Store, we pride ourselves on offering Brands That Work just as hard as you do.
This month, we are spotlighting Carhartt, a brand synonymous with durability and quality. From rugged work jackets to heavy-duty pants, Carhartt provides the reliability you need to tackle any job.
Get Ready for the Season
Take advantage of the back-to-school season to ensure your work footwear and clothing is up to par. Visit Working Person’s Store to explore our range of Carhartt products.
