Cold Weather Clothing

The following clothing is recommended for any workers who will be working briefly, or for extended periods of time in the cold this winter.

• Underwear-Thermal underwear should be worn with cotton shirt and shorts underneath. It is better to have 2-piece long underwear than a single piece. You want to stay warm, but you don’t want to constrict the blood vessels either.
• Pants-Lined thermal type pants, or wool and quilted pants are recommended. Pants should provide room to the wearer and should be worn with suspenders, not a belt. Belts constrict circulation.
• Shirts-Wool shirts are best for cold weather. They should be worn over underwear tops and suspenders with the shirttail worn outside of the pants to help ventilation. If you are allergic to wool, you can wear a cotton or synthetic shirt.
• Socks-Socks should assist in the evaporation of sweat without restricting circulation. The best socks for this are high wool socks. Avoid stretch socks if you can since they limit circulation.
• Boots-Any and all footwear should be waterproof and reach high up the leg. The most strongly recommended boots are rubber bottomed, felt lined, and leather toppers with removable insoles.
• Face Masks-Face masks should only be worn by workers who simply cannot afford to suffer limited vision while working. If this is the case, the face masks need to be removed on a constant basis to check for frostbite.
• Head Covers-Hat liners or wool knit caps that extend down the back of the neck are the best choice. However, a ski mask, or balaclava, will offer even more protection against the cold.

Cold weather is a normal occurrence, so it is easy for workers to forget the dangers and consequences associated with it. Make sure to take into account these cold weather safety tips while working in the workplace to better protect yourself against the elements while still maintaining effectiveness and productivity.