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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
GEAR THAT DRIVES PEAK PRODUCTION AS A FORKLIFT DRIVER
As a forklift driver, you have a lot of responsibilities. The integrity of the products you are handling, the maintenance of the machinery you are operating and the safety of your fellow employees all fall in your hands. When operating a forklift in a freezer environment, your personal safety is also just as important.
Staying warm and protected in whatever temperature the thermometer is reading that day is vital to your comfort level while you work so that you can remain focused and productive in the cold. Your job calls for speed, precision and accuracy. To stay at the top of your game, there are several factors to consider when selecting insulated workwear as a lift driver working in a freezer.
The Temperature Tells All
It doesn't matter that the thermometer says -15°F. You aren't generating body heat through walking or lifting like order selectors or other freezer workers who may be working alongside you. Plus, you've got wind chill from gliding through the racks to replenish products. For you, the real feel is closer to -30°F, or even lower, depending on how you personally deal with cold.
Crazy low temps need crazy warm protection. That's why we offer our Extreme Softshell Jacket for cold storage workers, which is rated to -60°F (yes, NEGATIVE 60). It comes in HiVis as well, for more safety. Paired with the Extreme Softshell Bib Overalls, in black or HiVis, you'll be super toasty no matter how low the temps feel.
Does -60°F seem a little too low a rating for your needs? Our Iron-Tuff® Collection has jackets, bibs and coveralls all rated to -50°F. Coveralls protect you from neck to ankle in one full garment, so there are no places for the wind to creep in and give you a chill. They are a great option when driving a forklift.
If you do a mix of activities and need some flexibility in what you are wearing, reach for our PolarForce® Collection. Rated to -40°F and featuring our unique Performance-Flex at key flex points, PolarForce makes it easy to get tough jobs done in the cold.
Back and Forth Business
As a forklift driver, you may be back and forth between the freezer and cooler or even ambient temperatures. The frequent temperature changes can do a number on your comfort. Considering insulated workwear that can be layered and easily removed or vented will save you the hassle and discomfort of being over or underdressed in the varying temps within your cold storage facility.
The Extreme Hooded Jacket offers under-arm zips with mesh ventilation patches for quick cooling. Insulated Softshell Bib Overalls have knee-high side zippers that are readily used for some extra ventilation or simply act as an easy on/off feature for eliminating layers without removing your footwear.
Read our guide to using base layers to determine how lightweight or heavy your mid and outer layers need to be once you have on your solid base. Keep in mind that whatever base layers you choose can make you feel from 4°-15° warmer once you’re wearing other gear.
Don’t Let the Frost Bite
When you aren't generating body heat through movement, your extremities can feel colder quickly. Especially when you consider the creep of cold that can happen from the wind chill as you move swiftly between the freezer aisles. Unlike order selectors, your quick work isn’t coming from physical body movement, therefore apparel with thicker insulation really proves its benefits.
You'll want gloves with thick insulation. If all you have are the controls of the lift to worry about, and dexterity isn't an issue, opt for an insulated mitt like our Extreme Freezer Mitt or our PolarForce® Mitt. Mitts help keep your hands warmer because your fingers radiate heat to each other.
Entering data on a keypad or touchscreen? Try our Extreme Freezer Gloves with the Touch-Rite or Key-Rite Nib. With our patent-pending nibs, you don’t have to remove your insulated protection to enter data. Amp up the warmth using a liner under your insulated gloves.
You don't crack under the pressure – your boots shouldn't either. Work boots you get from the local store are not specifically designed to be worn in freezers. The soles on our footwear are specially designed so as not to deteriorate from the cold. You'll keep your feet dry (and therefore warmer) and protect from impact injury with our exclusive VitaComfort® System. Keep your feet warm with our Extreme Pac Boot or the Extreme Hiker, which have the BOA® Fit System to keep a secure, perfect fit all shift long.
Add extra warmth to your feet with a pair of our Extreme Socks, made with moisture-wicking and naturally warm Merino wool blended with synthetics for extra durability and stretch.
Everyone tolerates cold differently. If you’ve been exposed to extreme cold daily because of your many years of experience, the warmest gear offered may not be a suitable option for you. Overall health may play a role in your ability to circulate or retain heat for warmth. Dressing for the cold is never one size fits all. So, check the temperature, check the tasks on your to-do list and ask yourself how you feel today so you can better dress for success.
Shopping for your team? If you need help selecting the best insulated workwear for your employees, please contact RefrigiWear Customer Service.