Dress for Success: How PPE Can Help You Beat The Heat

What workers wear can make a big difference on their health and safety during hot weather months

THOUSANDS OF WORKERS ARE AFFECTED BY HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES EACH YEAR AND DOZENS DIE FROM IT. This isn’t a scare tactic, it’s true. Somewhere around 40% of worker deaths happen in the construction industry alone. We know that workers are exposed to countless occupational hazards, but we forget they also have to deal with hot and miserable conditions as well. Think about your own team for a minute. If your crew works with electrical components and flammable materials, they may be suited up in flame-resistant clothing. If they work in high traffic zones they may be wearing high-visibility apparel to stay seen. All that gear can be hot and heavy, but there are solutions that can keep you cool and safe. You just need to choose the right material and fabric to do the job. Just remember, workers experience many kinds of hazards every day, from work-related falls to exposure to dangerous materials, equipment and more. Make sure to complete a thorough hazard assessment of your workplace before deciding on the personal protective equipment (PPE) they need. Below, we’ll share some of the key features you’ll want to know about your hot weather PPE.

 

What HiVis Hank wants you to know about choosing hot weather work gear
 

 If you haven’t met HiVis Hank, let us introduce him. He’s kind of the brains behind the operation here at HiVis Supply. Well, that’s what he likes to think anyway. He wants workers of all kinds (human and the non-human variety) to stay safe and comfortable on the job. Here are some quick tips on choosing hot weather clothing materials:

Cotton: Cotton is often comfortable and soft, but after a few minutes in the blazing sun you’ll quickly be ready to peel it off. Those comfy cotton duds can become saturated with sweat and super uncomfortable. Plus, they’ll take forever to dry, which is why you may want to consider performance fabrics that dry quickly.

Moisture-Wicking: It’s no secret when it’s hot, you sweat. So, unless you want everyone to get up close and personal with your signature scent, you’ll want clothing that wicks away moisture. Moisture-wicking clothing absorbs sweat and pulls it away from your body, minimizing the chance of you smelling like Chewbacca by lunch time.

Pro Tip: Look for 55/45 blend of synthetic to natural fibers for the best in moisture wicking.

Lightweight and Light-Colored: Light-colored and lightweight clothing allows all that solar heat you’re dealing with to reflect off the garments. When you wear heavy and dark colored apparel, it’s more likely to suck up all that heat and keep it snug against your body. That only raises your core body temperature and increases your chance of heat stress.

Breathable: New on the scene are PPE and high visibility options like gaiters or vests that allow portions of the garment to be mesh material. Air can move freely within your garments, helping to regulate body temperature. Think about all that airflow you can achieve and still be ANSI-compliant!

High Visibility: When you have a hazardous work environment that requires you to remain highly visible, our buddy HiVis Hank says, “Safety comes first”. He knows that layering is an ideal and flexible way to stay cool, while staying seen. Choose a high-visibility, moisture-wicking base layer that draws moisture away from your body, but provides you with the right ANSI level visibility protection. Then, you can follow up with a standard vest if necessary.

HiVis Supply will be here all season long to help you improve worker safety, both indoors and out. If need some help, just click here to contact one of our knowledgeable professionals.

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