Workwear Column Whatever the weather
Are you making the most of the opportunities that the workwear market provides? John Johnston head of e-commerce at Workwear Express, the UK’s leading provider of Workwear, clothing, provides expert tips...
1. Insulated Outerwear High-quality, insulated outerwear is essential for outdoor workers in winter. Not only does the outerwear need to protect them against low temperatures, but should also ensure that it is waterproof, so that workers can avoid getting wet during the winter months.
Also, consider investing in outerwear that has zip pockets so that essentials and personal items can be kept safe whilst working outdoors and at a height.
2. Layered or thermal clothing Of course, outerwear isn’t the only essential workwear item for the winter months. Dressing in layers is not only important for warmth, but also allows for flexibility, enabling workers to add or remove layers to adapt to changing, and often unpredictable weather conditions. Be mindful that too many layers can be restrictive of movement - if working in a role which requires movement and flexibility, consider opting for lightweight, thermal clothing that is less restrictive.
3. Waterproof, slip-resistant footwear
Selecting appropriate footwear is a vital consideration for outdoor workwear all year round, but becomes imperative during the winter months. With increased slip hazards during cold weather and rain, slip-resistant footwear becomes essential to minimise the risks of workplace accidents. Also, ensure that footwear is both waterproof and insulated, in order to keep feet both warm and dry during winter shifts.
4. Insulated gloves with grip Cold hands are not just a source of discomfort during the winter, but can also be detrimental to productivity and hinder workers’ abilities to conduct their duties whilst working outdoors.
Ensure that you are purchasing gloves which provide adequate thermal protection, are waterproof, and also allow for enough dexterity and movement to adequately complete work tasks. This is a particularly important factor if your role requires you to
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carry out intricate and precise tasks. For roles that involve manual labour, invest in gloves with grip, so that you can complete workplace tasks with more ease, as items and surfaces may well be cold, wet, and slippery during the winter.
Ralawise
5. Winter headwear and ear protection
During long outdoor shifts, keeping your head and ears warm is vital from both a comfort and a general safety and wellbeing perspective. The head is a significant source of heat loss from the body, and in cold weather, can lead to discomfort and increase the risk of employees developing cold-related illnesses. Invest in high-quality woolly hats or ear protectors to reduce heat loss during the working day.
6. Protective eyewear Pro RTX
During the winter months, the elements can cause plenty of challenges for those working outdoors. Wind and rain can impair visibility whilst working outdoors, and may lead to hazards and workplace accidents occurring in low visibility. As well as visibility issues, working in direct sunlight even in the cold, winter months, can still cause UV damage to the eyes. This is why protective eyewear with UV protection is often necessary for those working outdoors, regardless of the time of year.
Protective eyewear is often a necessary addition to the winter workwear wardrobe, to improve general safety and comfort whilst working outdoors in poor weather conditions.
7. Hi-vis clothing
With the hours of daylight being reduced in winter, it’s likely that when working on-site during the early mornings and evenings, this work will be conducted during the hours of darkness. To keep employees safe and easily visible to both their colleagues and the general public, hi-visibility clothing is essential to minimise risks.
Not only does hi-viz clothing make you visible to co-workers and potential hazards, but they are often lightweight, comfortable, and tend to be waterproof, making them the perfect item of clothing for working outdoors.
• For more on Workwear Express, visit:
https://www.workwearexpress. com/hi-vis
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
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