HOW TO DRESS WARMLY FOR DIFFERENT TEMPERATURE ZONES

Having the proper insulated workwear and protective gear in environments with low temperatures is vital for staying safe and maintaining high productivity. Insulated workwear from RefrigiWear is labeled with comfort ratings as a guide to help you choose the proper jackets, thermal gloves and non-slip work boots for the temperature in your work environment.

However, it’s a mistake to select your gear solely based on comfort ratings. You should also consider your working conditions, your activity level and the length of time you’ll be exposed to the cold.

How to Choose Insulated Workwear for Cold Storage Warehouses

If you’re working in a temperature-controlled warehouse with the temperature set at 25°F, gear with a rating at that temperature might not be the best for you. If you’re very active in your job – constantly walking, lifting and otherwise moving and producing more body heat – you’ll need gear rated for slightly warmer temperatures so you don't overheat.

Layering will also be key, so you can be warm when you first enter the low temperature environment and then adjust by opening or removing a layer as your body acclimates working to the cold.

If you spend your whole shift on a forklift, you’re facing a wind chill that will make it feel much colder than it actually is. Plus, when you’re sitting, you’re not moving enough to generate much body heat. Increased wind chill and decreased body heat means that you may need to choose cold weather workwear rated for temperatures that are colder than the air temperature of your environment.

How to Choose Cold Weather Gear for Working Outdoors

People working outside in cold weather have all the same things to consider that we just discussed for climate controlled environments, along with the added challenge of working through wider swings in temperature and precipitation. Changing temperatures, wind, rain and snow can all affect how warm you feel in your cold weather gear.

Dress in several layers so you can adjust throughout the day, depending on how the temperature changes and how much body heat you are generating.

For rainy or snowy conditions, choose an outer layer that is water-repellent or waterproof. Any moisture that gets through your outer layer, or gets trapped underneath, will make it harder to stay warm.

With those considerations, it’s more important for people working outdoors to choose insulated workwear with comfort ratings for what conditions will feel like based on wind and moisture in the air, not necessarily what the temperature actually is.

Consider Exposure Time When Working in the Cold

Did you know that you can experience hypothermia even in 50°F weather? Or, if that temperature is combined with wind and rain, hypothermia conditions can accelerate? The main factor in hypothermia is your body temperature – not the temperature of your surroundings – which means you need to limit the time you’re exposed to the cold without the proper insulated and protective gear.

Your activity level always matters, but increased exposure without protective apparel, especially in below-freezing temperatures, is risky no matter how active you are. If you’re going to be in cooler temperatures for a more than a few hours, then you need protective apparel. The colder or wetter the conditions and the longer the time you will be exposed, the more protection and insulation you will need, so choose insulated workwear with comfort ratings for extreme cold temperatures.

Shop Insulated Workwear for Your Temperature Zone

Now that you know all the factors to consider, you’re armed and ready to choose the best insulated workwear for all your cold weather jobs. For more information on RefrigiWear Comfort Ratings or choosing freezerwear or insulated outerwear, please contact RefrigiWear Customer Service.