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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
- EMBRODIERY
- Case Studies
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Best Practices
- COLD TIPS
- HOW TO USE GLOVE LINERS
- THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF HAND PROTECTION
- 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
- TRADESHOWS & EVENTS
- KEY TERMS & DEFINITIONS
- 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
THE IMPACT OF PROPER ERGONOMICS ON DRIVER WELLNESS
How RefrigiWear® PPE can Reduce Injury and Improve Overall Health
The overall health and wellness of drivers are rising concerns in the transportation industry – not just because companies care about their employees’ wellbeing, but because health issues are increasingly contributing to the driver shortage. New health regulations are taking drivers off the road and chronic health issues are forcing early retirement for others.
Risk of Injury from Daily Duties
Injuries to drivers come in forms you likely expect, such as slips, trips and falls. But they also come in forms you might not expect, like cumulative injuries from wearing the wrong gloves, jackets or boots. The impact on hands and legs or back strain from footwear both contribute to lasting injuries that create time-loss, reduction in productivity and costly worker’s compensation claims.
The wrong boots don’t just affect the feet. Improper footwear can create lasting damage in drivers’ legs and backs. Gloves not designed for the duties being performed, like loading and unloading, can’t protect hands from the cumulative damage of repeated impact. Drivers are in the top 5 professions most affected by slip, trip, and fall injuries – injuries that average 38 days of lost time per employee.
Properly outfitting your employees in gear designed for their duties and the conditions they encounter helps reduce these risks and keeps productivity high.
Proper PPE Provides Ergonomic Support and Reduces Injury Risk
Each piece of the protective gear you provide to your drivers plays a vital role in their health. Truckers are twice as likely to suffer from chronic illness and injury as other members of the workforce. Protecting them from cumulative injury will help lower that number.
Gloves for Drivers
Repeated impact from loading/unloading and handling cables and chains can lead to cumulative musculoskeletal disorders that take your drivers off the road. Providing gloves that protect from the temperatures they encounter in and out of the truck, plus provide impact protection, help reduce these concerns. Additionally, look for gloves with a pre-curved ergonomic fit – this reduces hand fatigue.
Footwear for Drivers
Boots with non-slip outersoles designed not to crack in the cold are important, but equally important and often overlooked are the ergonomic features of the insoles. Look for boots with systems like VitaComfort® - designed to keep feet free from moisture and fatigue and reduce strain on legs and backs.
Clothing & Uniforms for Drivers
Usually the only thing considered when choosing protective clothing is if it will keep the driver warm. But the fit and design of the clothing can play a vital role in ergonomics and therefore health. If the gear restricts movement it can lead to injury. Make sure you consider fit during all activities when choosing garments.
Driver Health & Safety Matters
The focus on getting drivers to pay more attention to their diets, exercise regimens, tobacco use and sleep habits is pivotal in a Driver Health & Wellness Program. It is important, however, not to overlook the role ergonomics and repeated duties play in overall driver health. Including thorough PPE guidelines and best practices in Driver Health & Wellness Programs ensures the complete picture is being seen and addressed. Providing the best gear to your drivers helps keep them healthy and productive.