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Buyers Guides
- HOW TO USE COMFORT RATINGS
- BUYERS GUIDE: INSULATED WORK GLOVES
- BUYERS GUIDE: COLD WEATHER WORK BOOTS
- BUYERS GUIDE TO PAC BOOTS
- BUYERS GUIDE TO BASE LAYERS
- BUYERS GUIDE: PANTS OR BIB OVERALLS?
- BUYERS GUIDE: COVERALLS OR BIB OVERALLS?
- BUYERS GUIDE TO GLOVE DIPS & COATINGS
- LATEX vs. NITRILE COATED: WHICH IS THE RIGHT GLOVE?
- WHAT KIND OF WORK GLOVES ARE RIGHT FOR MY JOB?
- HAND PROTECTION THAT KEEPS PRODUCTIVITY HIGH
- THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF HAND PROTECTION
- VITACOMFORT: A NEW LEVEL OF COMFORT & SAFETY
- WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING A WINTER WORK COAT
- WHY IS SYNTHETIC INSULATION BETTER?
- AIRBLAZE INSULATION DELIVERS MORE WARMTH WITH LESS WEIGHT
- WARMPLUS GRAPHENE LINING MAKES WARMER WORK GEAR
- DON'T COMPROMISE PROTECTION FOR PERFORMANCE
- WHY SOFTSHELL JACKETS ARE PERFECT FOR WORKING IN THE COLD
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Best Practices
- COLD TIPS
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- PROPER FOOT CARE FOR WORKING IN THE COLD
- HOW TO PREVENT SLIPS, TRIPS & FALLS
- HOW TO CHOOSE HIGH-VISIBILITY WORKWEAR
- HOW TO LAYER WITHOUT OVERHEATING
- HOW OVERDRESSING HURTS PRODUCTIVITY
- HOW TO DRESS FOR WORKING IN THE COLD
- HOW TO DRESS FOR WORKING IN DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES
- HOW TO STAY SAFE & WARM WHILE WORKING OUTSIDE IN THE WINTER
- HOW TO STAY WARM WORKING WITH PRODUCE
- PREPARING FOR TEMPERATURE SWINGS
- THE SCIENCE OF STAYING WARM
- HOODS OR HATS: WHICH ONE IS SAFER?
- HOW DRIVERS & TRANSPORTATION WORKERS STAY DRY
- PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR EVERY DRIVER NEEDS
- CHALLENGES OF WORKING IN LOW TEMPERATURES AS A DRIVER
- PROTECT YOUR TRUCK DRIVERS WITH HIGH-VISIBILITY WORKWEAR
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Industry Knowledge
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- BEST CLOTHING FOR MAINTENANCE STAFF IN FOOD PROCESSING
- HOW DO I STAY WARM WHILE WORKING IN MEAT PROCESSING?
- HOW TO STAY WARM IN A COLD STORAGE FREEZER
- 5 IMPORTANT PIECES OF CLOTHING FOR COLD STORAGE WORKERS
- GEAR THAT DRIVES PEAK PRODUCTION AS A FORKLIFT DRIVER
- CHALLENGES OF WORKING IN LOW-TEMPERATURE INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS
- PROTECTING PERISHABLES IN FOODSERVICE DISTRIBUTION
- TEMPERATURE CONTROL UNDER FSMA
- BEST HIGH-VISIBILITY JACKETS FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS
- COLD WEATHER SAFETY CHECKLIST FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS
- TOWER CLIMBER'S GUIDE TO WORKING OUTSIDE IN WINTER
- UTILITY WORKER'S GUIDE TO KEEPING WARM IN WINTER
- HOW TO IMPROVE DRIVER RETENTION AND RECRUITING
- THE IMPACT OF PROPER ERGONOMICS ON DRIVER WELLNESS
- QUALITY WON'T BE COMPROMISED
- WHY IRON-TUFF IS THE MOST ICONIC COLD WEATHER CLOTHING
- WHY ALL WORKERS NEED HIGH-VISIBILITY WORKWEAR
- HOW TO SAFE IN LOW VISIBILITY & HIGH TRAFFIC CONDITIONS
- THE REAL COST OF HIGH EMPLOYEE TURNOVER
- HOW DOES PPE AFFECT YOUR BOTTOM LINE?
- MEDICAL COSTS OF PREVENTABLE INJURIES
- Use & Care
HOW TO STAY SAFE & WARM WHILE WORKING OUTSIDE IN THE WINTER
When you work outdoors you have to face the unpredictable – wind, rain, freezing temperatures, snow and more. Construction deadlines, airline schedules, downed powerlines and other emergencies – you still have to get the job done in spite of inclement weather.
Staying safe, warm and productive is key to success. Having the right cold weather gear can help you get the job done right.
Avoid Cold Stress and Cold-Related Injuries
Working a long shift outdoors in winter weather can be dangerous. You can experience hypothermia even in pretty mild weather. And, if cold conditions are mixed with rain, snow or biting wind, you’ll feel the effects even faster. Frostbite can easily set in on areas of the body left unprotected from the cold, especially on your ears, nose, fingers and toes.
You can die from hypothermia and the first signs include weakness, confusion or feeling tired, slurred speech, shallow breathing and shivering. Frostbite can also create permanent injuries, including the loss of affected body parts, and warning signs include numbness, skin changing color, hard skin with a waxy appearance and clumsiness.
Learn How to Layer
Starting with the right base layers helps you build a solid foundation for protection against the cold. Whether you choose heavyweight base layers for extreme cold or lightweight base layers for not-so-extreme cold, make sure you choose layers that wick sweat away from your skin.
Letting moisture accumulate against the skin can make you feel colder, even if you’re bundled up to your eyeballs. Make sure you're layering properly so you’ve got a few layers that you can take off when you’re working up a sweat and put back on when you’re less active.
Choose Weatherproof Workwear
The best winter work coats, insulated vests, thermal sweatshirts and weatherproof coveralls will keep your torso warm and protected. This core part of your body holds all your vital organs, so you must choose the right insulated winter gear if you want to stay productive.
Choose outerwear that will help you fight wind, rain, snow and anything else that winter might blow your way. Look for wind-tight gear like the original Iron-Tuff® collection from RefrigiWear or waterproof jackets and bibs like the ErgoForce® collection. And, when you need protect from truly frigid weather that’s well below zero, look for Extreme jackets and bibs rated for -60°F or PolarForce® gear rated for -40°F.
Protect Your Hands with Thermal Work Gloves
When temperatures drop, it isn’t just the air that gets cold. The equipment you work with gets cold, too, and it can transfer that cold to you when you touch it. Insulated work gloves protect against the cold air and from cold transfer while you’re working.
Keep a good grip on your tools and equipment – without giving up all your dexterity – when you choose insulated work gloves that include flexible materials, a pre-curved fit and accordion-stretch panels across the knuckles actually make it possible for you to do more that just shake your fist at the cold. If you’re working with heavier tools or equipment (or a clumsy coworker!), choose thermal work gloves with impact protection pads. And, depending on the work you’re doing, you might need touchscreen capabilities or waterproof coatings, too.
Get Work Boots That Won't Slip on the Job
Keeping your feet warm and supported is important to overall comfort and health. If you’re thinking about how much your feet hurt, you aren’t thinking about the job. The right footwear also helps prevent cumulative injuries like back pain and helps fight fatigue when you’re on your feet all day. Plus, slips, trips and falls are the cause of most workplace injuries. Proper footwear helps prevent these injuries by reducing the chance of slipping in hazardous conditions.
For maximum comfort and productivity, look for insulated work boots with slip-resistant soles, composite safety toes, waterproof uppers and sufficient insulation against the cold temperatures you’re facing.
Cap It Off with Thermal Headwear
Hard hats are *not* known for their warmth. Neither are ball caps, and pulling a hood up can block your peripheral vision and make it less safe to operate a forklift or other heavy equipment. Look for insulated caps, gaiters, masks and balaclavas that conform to your head and don’t obstruct your vision. RefrigiWear offers a wide selection of insulated headwear, including masks and headbands that fit over or under your hard hat.
Prepare Your Team to Work Through Winter's Worst Weather
There’s more to taking on the cold than just throwing on a jacket and some gloves and getting to work. You need dependable protection from the elements so your body isn’t wasting energy on trying to stay warm or cool, and you aren’t distracted by discomfort. Once you know the type of gear you need to stay protected, look for features that help you and your employees be even more productive in outdoor working conditions so you can focus on what matters most – getting the job done.