HOW DO I STAY WARM WHILE WORKING IN MEAT PROCESSING?

Working with a perishable product like meat, you spend your days in temperatures most take vacations to get away from. If you have committed to a job in meat processing, you know it requires a lot of hard work, dedication and physical endurance. If your days are spent processing protein in low temps with exposure to moisture and other hazards, you need gear that won’t weigh you down as you check off your to-do list, but you need to stay warm, dry and protected throughout your shift.

Gearing Up to Stay Protected While Working with Protein

The level of insulation in the workwear you require will vary based on job type. When working with protein, you’ll encounter temperatures above 0°F, icy or wet objects, slippery floors and movement between lines. Because of activity level, room temperature and conditions of your environment, you’ll need to keep in mind these key points when selecting gear to accommodate your working conditions.

Temperature Control

The temps you work in as you process chicken, beef and other meats might not be as cold as the temps your buddies in the freezer face—but it's no day at the beach either and can still put you at risk of work-related injuries such hypothermia and frostbite! The temps that keep your products fresh are not ideal for spending a full shift in, so you need the right gear to stay warm and still get the job done.

Our Cooler Wear™ Frock Liner (rated to 10°F) and Econo-Tuff® Frock Liner (rated to 15°F) are lightweight workwear options for staying warm while working in a cooler that gives you the most bang for your buck. They are perfect for wearing under a frock or lab coat (heck, it's built right into the names). Any of the jackets, bib overalls, or pants from our Cooler Wear™ or Econo-Tuff® collections will offer lightweight protection without any bulk so you can stay warm without distraction or disruption.

If you’re someone who tends to feel colder than others (reaching for a hoodie when it is 60° and sunny), you may require additional layers of insulation. The PolarForce Hybrid Fleece Jacket makes a great choice as an additional layer to add warmth without too much bulk that could limit your flexibility. Alternatively, you can opt for a jacket that has a warmer comfort rating to protect you past the temps you typically work in. Look at our Frostline® Jacket which is rated to -25°F and features our lightweight AirBlaze® insulation that provides all the warmth with 40% less weight.

If your lower body tends to get cold, think about adding a pair of our Softshell Pants to your uniform. The sturdy material was built for tough jobs and comes in a Hivis option if you require more visibility in the warehouse.

To protect your head and ears, choose a knit cap or one of our stretchy Flex-Wear Skull Caps. Opting for a cap versus a hood in this environment will keep your peripheral vision clear around moving machinery, keeping you safe in your working conditions.

If you work in the freezer for a protein company, check out our other articles for suggestions on the right gear for pickers and forklift drivers.

Getting a Grasp on Warmth and Security

Once you've got your head and body protected you need to make sure your most important tools are treated right. You work with your hands all shift long, so you need to keep them protected from the cold and any hazards that come from the job.

Our glove liners, like the Wool Glove Liner or the thicker Heavyweight Knit Glove Liner, fit snuggly against the hand and under nitrile gloves to keep you warm while you work. For added protection against sharp tools, machinery and other hazards, the Permaknit Cut Resistant Glove offers lightweight protection that has CE 5 / ANSI 3 certification for blades.

Moisture Management

The moisture that surrounds you at work—and that you can build up by sweating—makes it much harder to stay warm. In fact, you may even begin to feel colder while you’re sweating.

Fight against the cold with a moisture-wicking base layer, like our Flex-Wear Top. Moisture-wicking socks with a special construction that includes breathable vents, such as our PolarForce® Sock, will help keep your feet dry and comfortable. The soft, thick bottoms make it easier to stay on your feet all shift long.

Activity Level and Conditions

As a meat processing worker, you must constantly stay alert while working on fast-moving lines, using sharp tools and moving around wet floors. The safety and durability of your workwear should become a main priority.

An additional reason we continue to promote our Cooler Wear™ collection for this field is because of the material we chose to create this sturdy line. A coated, ripstop nylon outershell creates an abrasion-resistant barrier between your body and those quick-moving knife cuts, plus it makes for easier clean-up when you need a wipe-down. Its breathability should also provide some relief from those ninja moves your job requires.

Speaking of ninja moves, those movements will send your internal body temperatures right up. That means you might even need to remove a layer from time to time. Base layers add a lightweight but warm comfort to your workwear for meat processing, like our Lightweight Base Layer Top.

Let’s talk more about the conditions you face in a processing plant. You’re surrounded by animal products that may contain moisture and wet, slippery floors that frequently get hosed down. You need to remain safe and comfortable on your feet for a long day on the job. Non-slip outsoles will provide a sense of security as you move across the floor like with our EnduraMax Boot™ featuring VitaComfort® technology that makes that 8-10 hour shift feel like a walk in the park.

The Heart of the Business

The employees that endure the physically demanding jobs in meat processing every day are truly the ones that keep this industry going. It is not enough to just keep them warm in safety gear, so providing them with frequent breaks from the cold can be what they need to meet higher productivity for the day. Just like you don’t want your perishable products to spoil, you don’t want your employees to either.

When you’re working in the most extreme conditions in the food industry, the importance of appropriately insulated workwear cannot be overstated, as it can have a significant impact on the productivity and well-being of workers. The right protective gear can help prevent injuries, reduce fatigue, and increase comfort levels, which ultimately leads to a more efficient and effective workforce.

Everyone feels cold differently and has preferences for how they can move in warm gear. Deciding what works best for you might come from trial and error, but these are good jumping-off points to figure out how to stay warm and working in protein processing.