Once the weather cools and winter approaches, you need to kit your workers out in appropriate cold weather gear. If your people are cold on the job, then their productivity could dip. They might not be able to focus on their work and on keeping themselves safe. If they are exposed to cold temperatures for long periods, then they could suffer from cold stress.
Which products can you give your workers to make winter working more comfortable for them?
1. Warm clothing
If you provide workwear to your employees and expect them to wear it, then you should switch to warmer clothing in the winter. If you don't provide warm clothes, then your workers have to wear their own. If they don't prepare for winter weather, then they will be cold on outside jobs.
Rather than buying everyone a single item of winter gear, think about providing layers. People get hot when they work hard, even on the coldest days. Some people feel the cold more than others.
If they wear layers, they can adjust their clothing to stay at the right temperature. You give them some choice over what to wear.
Good products here include thermal and long-sleeved t-shirts. Warm or padded shirts, jumpers, hoodies and jackets are all good layering options.
Try not to buy products that are too tight and restricting. Tight clothes reduce blood circulation, which makes it harder to stay warm. Your workers will be more comfortable if they can layer up looser items to trap warm air close to their bodies.
2. Rain jackets and pants
Rain can be as much of a problem as cold when you work outdoors in the winter. If your workers don't have anything rainproof to wear, then their clothes will get wet when it rains. They might have to stop work and seek shelter in bad downpours.
Wet clothing is uncomfortable to work in. It sticks to the body, feels heavy and cumbersome and also restricts movement.
If people can't move freely as they work, then they increase their risk of accidents. They might feel miserable if they are wet and lose focus. They might lose mobility.
You can prevent these problems by handing out rain jackets and pants. Your workers might not wear them all the time, but they can use them when they need to stay dry.
3. Gloves
If your crews have to wear safety gloves as part of their jobs, then these gloves might help keep their hands warm in cold weather. Even so, make sure your current gloves are warm and waterproof. If they aren't, then now might be a good time for an upgrade.
If your workers don't have to wear safety gloves all the time, then you can buy some regular thermal gloves. The gloves will keep their hands warm and mobile. They prevent problems with hands and fingers feeling stiff when they get cold.
4. Hats and helmets
You lose some body heat through your head. So, get your workers to wear hats.
If they have to wear hard hats, then they get some heat protection. However, hard hats aren't that warm to wear.
You'll keep heads warmer if you give out wool winter liners. These products are like balaclavas. Your crews can wear them under their hard hats to get some extra warmth.
You should also check your hard hats to see how well they'll work in the rain. Hats with extended peaks and rain gutters keep water off the head and face.
If your workers don't have to wear hard hats all of the time or at all, then you can simply buy some warm beanies. These hats will insulate their heads and keep them warmer.
For more ideas on winter workwear and accessories, contact Ace Workwear. We can kit you out in effective and affordable cold weather clothing.
