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The 7 Different Types of Personal Protective Equipment
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) determines what personal protective equipment (PPE) workers should wear in or near hazardous conditions. PPE helps ensure workers’ personal safety.
Employers have a responsibility to perform a workplace hazard assessment and select and enforce the use of PPE. Find out more about how the seven different types of personal protective equipment protect workers in various industries.
Respiratory Protection
OSHA creates specific respiratory protection standards for general industry, maritime, and construction. These requirements protect workers from hazards that may cause lung impairment, disease, cancer, or death. Hazards include harmful dust, fog, gases, vapors, and environments with insufficient oxygen.
Respirators can protect workers by removing contaminants from the air or supplying clean, breathable air from another source. Some respirators have reusable and replaceable cartridges, canisters, or filters.
Workers must wear the right respiratory PPE equipped with the correct cartridge, canister, or filter to protect against specific hazards. For example, a filtering facepiece respirator can filter dusts and mists but will not protect the wearer from gases and vapors. A powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) will protect against gases, vapors, or particles when equipped with the correct cartridge, canister, or filter. Respiratory PPE capabilities and limitations illustrate how critical it is for workers to understand their PPE and work environment.
Head Protection
Head protection includes helmets, hard hats, bump caps, and guards. Head PPE absorbs some of the force from impact and provides resistance to penetration from falling or flying objects. Since these items cannot provide complete protection from severe impact and penetration, workers must remain vigilant at the work site.
Bump caps don’t protect from falling or flying objects. Instead, they guard workers’ heads against bruises, scrapes, and bumps caused by accidental impact with fixed objects like low beams.
Hard hats display information, including the ANSI designation and type and class designations. These labels inform workers of the types of hazards the hard hats protect against and the level of protection they provide. For example, some hard hats reduce the force of impact from a blow to the top of the head. Others reduce the force of impact to the sides of the head. Employers must always replace hard hats after they sustain impact, even if the damage is not noticeable.
Hearing Protection
The next type of personal protective equipment concerns workers’ hearing. People in many industries, including transportation and agriculture, are exposed to noises that can damage their hearing.
Hearing PPE is an important component of any occupational hearing loss prevention program. Such protection includes equipment that fits into the ear canal or completely over the ear. This PPE category includes expandable foam plugs, canal caps, and earmuffs.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) developed HPD Well-Fit to measure how well hearing protection works. The test system measures the amount of sound that hearing PPE reduces for an individual and identifies workers who do not have adequate protection.
Eye and Face Protection
Eye and face hazards include radiation, heat, chemicals and biologics, dust, flying objects, and splashes. Types of eye and face protection include safety glasses, safety goggles, laser safety glasses and goggles, face shields, welding shields, and welding helmets.
Workers wear specific eye and face PPE for adequate protection. Safety glasses protect the covered area from impact and heat hazards. Safety goggles offer the same protection and more, including protection from chemicals and dust.
Glasses and goggles are primary protective devices. Face shields and welding shields are secondary protective devices that guard the entire face against hazards. When wearing a secondary device, the worker must also wear a primary protective device.
Hand and Arm Protection
Hand and arm PPE protects from many hazards, including abrasion, cuts, amputation, radiation, fractures, vibration and grip, and electrical shock. Specialized gloves guard against worker injury. If workers complete tasks involving multiple hazards, they must wear gloves that protect against all hazards or possibly wear more than one type of glove simultaneously.
Glove size, cuff type, length, and lining type all influence the degree of protection gloves can provide. When it comes to chemical-resistant gloves, workers must understand when gloves can provide only limited protection from chemicals. The type of chemical and frequency and duration of contact with the chemical affect the efficacy of the gloves’ resistance.
Foot and Leg Protection
Heavy falling and rolling objects can crush a person’s legs or feet. Sharp objects and hot, cold, corrosive, or poisonous substances could easily penetrate regular footwear. Electric currents and slippery walking surfaces also contribute to the need for protective footwear.
OSHA recommends several footwear protection types that can cover the foot partly or completely. For example, workers can fit toe guards over the ends of their regular shoes to prevent foot injury. They can also attach metatarsal guards to the outside of the shoe to protect their instep.
People who work near hazardous electric currents, such as electricians and utility workers, wear protective footwear that fits in one of three protection classes. Other protective boots include slip-resistant, waterproof, and insulated boots.
Leg protection includes leggings made from leather and aluminized rayon. Combination foot and shin guards protect the lower legs and feet from hazards such as welding sparks.
Body Protection
Finally, body protection equipment can guard against temperature extremes, radioactive materials, falls, sharp objects, and splashes. Examples of body protection PPE include lab coats, coveralls, jackets, aprons, surgical gowns, and full-body suits.
Wear PPE that fits properly for effective protection. Launder full-body PPE separately from other clothing types. Sometimes, body protection PPE requires decontamination. Workers must always inspect PPE before using it.
A proper fit does more than ensure that body protection PPE covers enough of the worker’s body. When PPE doesn’t fit correctly, it can contribute to burnout. Well-fitting PPE can encourage worker use and contribute to equitable working conditions.
SafetyShirtz carries stylish safety hoodies for a range of body types. Whether you’re looking for a high visibility or enhanced visibility hoodie, check out our selection of comfortable clothing. Find your unique hoodie today!
The Difference Between CSA and ANSI Hi-Vis Standards
Certain businesses must meet hi-vis compliance standards to uphold workplace safety and reduce penalties. In the US, employers follow hi-vis standards recognized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). In Canada, employers follow the standards of the CSA Group, formerly the Canadian Standards Association. Discover the difference between CSA and ANSI hi-vis standards.
ANSI vs. CSA
The ANSI is a private, nonprofit organization that represents the interest of hundreds of thousands of companies and organizations. ANSI accredits procedures and approves documents submitted by standards-developing organizations.
The CSA is accredited by the SCC, Canada’s leading accreditation organization, as a standards development organization. It’s a nonprofit membership association serving industries, the government, and consumers.
Hi-Vis Garment Classifications
The ANSI/ISEA 107 standard classifies hi-vis garments into three types and four classes. The types correspond to the workers’ environmental settings. The four classes indicate the amount of fluorescent and retroreflective material in each garment and their configuration.
Workers who do not operate near traffic but need enhanced visibility wear Type O garments. Workers who spend some time on the road wear Type R garments. Public safety workers, including law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS workers, wear Type P.
In contrast, CSA Z97 categorizes hi-vis garments into three classes: Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3. The classes specify the garments’ design criteria regarding the background material and retroreflective material.
Background Material Requirements
There are small differences between ANSI and CSA hi-vis standards regarding background material. ANSI-approved fluorescent colors are yellow-green, orange, and red. CSA fluorescent hi-vis colors are yellow-green, orange-red, red, bright yellow-green, or bright orange-red.
For instance, in both systems, Class 1 garments offer the lowest amount of enhanced visibility. The minimum area of visible background material in both ANSI Class 1 and CSA Class 1 garments is 217 square inches.
Additionally, ANSI Class 2 garments have a minimum area of 775 square inches of visible background material. CSA Class 2 requires full coverage of the shoulders and front, back, and sides of the upper torso. The sides must have a minimum coverage of 50 percent from the bottom edge of the garment to the shoulder point.
Retroreflective Material Requirements
ANSI Class 1 garments require 155 square inches of retroreflective material or combined-performance material. The retroreflective material must have a minimum width of one inch. CSA Class 1 garments require 155 square inches of retroreflective or combined-performance material.
ANSI Class 2 garments require 201 square inches of retroreflective material or combined-performance material. The retroreflective material must have a minimum width of 1.375 inches. CSA Class 2 garments require 202 square inches of retroreflective material.
For CSA garments, all retroreflective bands much be a minimum of 50 mm, or about 1.97 inches, wide. While ANSI permits retroreflective material in a box design on the back, CSA requires a symmetric X pattern from the shoulders to the waist.
Stay safe and stylish on the job with high-visibility clothing from SafetyShirtz. We clearly label our ANSI-rated safety gear by class and type, so you know your workwear is compliant. Shop with us today.
5 Simple Tips for Placing Your Logo on Safety Gear
Placing your company’s logo on enhanced-visibility and hi-vis workwear reinforces team solidarity. For custom apparel that looks great and maintains safety standards, use these five simple tips for placing your logo on safety gear.
1. Avoid Printing Over Retroreflective Material
According to the ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 standard, covered material cannot create a gap wider than 2 inches horizontally across the retroreflective material. Lettering and logos of non-compliant material cannot cover more than 22 square inches of the minimum amount of visible retroreflective material.
While placing logos on retroreflective material isn’t strictly prohibited, it’s a good idea to avoid doing this—you don’t want to sacrifice any visibility in low-light conditions.
2. Limit the Logo to a Maximum of 72 Square Inches
For ANSI 107 compliance, your logo and other imprinting, such as lettering, can’t cover more than 72 square inches on the garment. You can place your logo in more than one location on the garment, such as on the front and back, but the total coverage cannot exceed 72 square inches.
ANSI/ISEA also requires what is known as a balance of design. Hi-vis apparel must have at least 40 percent of the minimum required amount of background material and reflective material on the back of the garment.
3. Decide on Front and Back Designs
The next simple tip for placing your logo on safety gear is to consider the front and back designs. Printing on the front and back of the garment increases logo visibility. You can use the same imprint design on both sides, or differentiate designs.
At SafetyShirtz, you can differentiate the front and back designs when you start with 126 ordered pieces. Popular logo placement locations include the chest, upper back, and lower back.
4. Choose Between Black or Colored Ink
Another aspect to consider is the colors of the print. The easiest option is to print in black. With a background of fluorescent material, a logo printed in black will really stand out.
You can also print in different colors, but keep in mind the background color to create the best combination. Whether you print in black or a variety of colors, a quality print will create a crisp outline.
5. Create a Balanced Look
Aside from ANSI’s concept of balance of design, you want the garment to look balanced, too. Ordering from an experienced printer is the best way to ensure your custom gear has a balanced look.
One way the imprinting company will create a balanced look is by verifying the design is visually centered. If your logo or image is symmetrical, the printer will center the design based on its midpoint. But if your design is asymmetrical, the design will be centered based on the apparent center for a look that makes intuitive sense.
Order professional-quality custom safety gear from SafetyShirtz. We can print your logo on safety t-shirts, hoodies, jackets, vests, and hats. Fill out our simple form or give us a call today for information or advice regarding customizing your workwear.
Common Cleaning Mistakes To Avoid With Hi-Vis Clothing
High-visibility workwear contains fluorescent fabrics and retroreflective materials. The bright colors of the garments increase your visibility in sunlight, and the retroreflective tape increases your visibility in low light.
To keep your garments ANSI-compliant and for your own safety, launder hi-vis clothes with care. Read on to learn common cleaning mistakes to avoid with hi-vis clothing.
Ignoring Care Instructions on the Garment
The wash instructions on your hi-vis apparel’s tag will list special instructions to protect the garment. You’ll find specifications regarding detergents, wash temperature, and whether you can machine dry the item.
The instructions will also specify if there’s a limit to the number of cycles you can wash the clothing. Once you reach that limit, dispose of the clothes. Multiple washes can cause the garments to fade, defeating the purpose of hi-vis clothes.
Not Preparing the Clothes for the Washer
Before you put your hi-vis clothes in the washer, you need to take a couple of minutes to prep the apparel by first removing debris and then pre-treating stains. Excess dirt can become abrasive in the washer. Shake off loose dirt and remove other debris with a clean, dry cloth.
Gently dab stubborn stains with a mild stain remover and a clean, dry cloth. Only use stain removers that don’t contain bleach.
Never scrub the fabric to remove a stain. Scrubbing can spread the stain and wear away the fabric, making the garment look worn out, which can reduce visibility.
Not Washing With Mild Detergent
No matter how dirty your hi-vis apparel gets, do not wash it with a harsh detergent. Always use a mild, neutral detergent and avoid using too much; otherwise, you risk leaving a residue that attracts dirt.
A mild detergent contains surfactants—a key cleaning ingredient—that dissolve grease and dirt. Like other bad laundry practices, washing with regular detergent can wear down fabric and damage the reflective tape on your clothes.
Using Bleach or Fabric Softener
For a normal load of white laundry, bleach can work wonders. However, it’s a harsh chemical that can wear down fabric fibers and discolor your hi-vis clothes. If you need a deeper clean than a normal wash, soak the fabric in water and detergent for 20 minutes in your washing machine before starting the wash cycle.
You might like to use fabric softener on your regular laundry loads to reduce static and make your laundry feel softer. You should never use fabric softener on hi-vis clothes—the product coats fabrics with a waxy layer that can damage your hi-vis gear.
Not Separating Hi-Vis Apparel From Rough Fabrics
Sorting laundry might seem like a hassle, but not separating hi-vis clothing from rough fabrics is a common cleaning mistake you should avoid. Rough fabrics like denim and hook-and-loop fasteners will rub continuously against your hi-vis clothes in the washer and dryer.
The rubbing will scratch the retroreflective material and fluorescent fabric, wearing away the garment and reducing visibility. Scratching the retroreflective fabric can reduce the coverage on your safety gear and leave you with less protection in low-light environments.
Washing in Hot Water
Machine wash hi-vis apparel in cold water and use your washer’s delicate cycle. Washing in hot water can warp the fibers, cause color bleeding, and damage the retroreflective material.
Many hi-vis garments are made with a polyester blend. The heat from a hot wash cycle can break down the fibers, causing them to thin or twist and ruining the appearance of the clothes.
If your hi-vis gear contains some spandex, hot water can ruin this fabric, too. The hot water will shrink the spandex fibers and distort the garment.
Line-Drying in Direct Sunlight
Some fabrics cannot be machine dried. And even if you can machine-dry fabrics, line-drying is more gentle. When you line-dry hi-vis clothes, don’t expose the clothing to direct sunlight.
Prolonged exposure to sunlight can fade the garments’ bright colors. The ultraviolet rays in sunlight can break down chemical bonds in the fluorescent pigments, dulling the colors. Line-dry in the shade and bring dry clothes into the house as soon as you can.
Not Using Low Heat in the Dryer
If the wash instructions on your hi-vis garment permit machine drying, always use low heat. High heat settings can damage the components that hold retroreflective tape in place. High heat can also weaken the fabric and retroreflective material, and cause the fluorescent colors to fade.
The low heat setting relies more on the air drying of tumbling the clothes than on heat drying. It will take a bit longer to dry your clothes on this setting, so don’t overload the dryer. The fewer items you have in the dryer, the more air can circulate all around the fabric and dry efficiently.
Wringing Clothes To Dry Them Faster
Whether you’re line-drying or drying the garment on low heat in your machine, you might feel tempted to speed up the process. You should never wring your clothes to dry them out faster.
Wringing creates a lot of tension throughout the fabric, applying unnecessary force to the garment. This movement can also damage the retroreflective tape.
Retroreflective tape works by reflecting light back to the source with minimal scattering. The retroreflective material consists of small glass beads or microprisms placed to create the highly concentrated reflected light, and abrasion will ruin the beads or microprisms.
Leaving Clean Clothes Rumpled
Leaving clean clothes in the dryer or in a pile to be sorted later can damage the fabric. For normal laundry loads, you usually don’t have to worry about this. But you want to protect the retroreflective material from unnecessary contact with other items to prevent scratches.
You also can’t iron hi-vis clothes. The intense, focused heat can damage the garments, so avoid wrinkles by taking your gear straight from the dryer to the closet.
These ten laundry mistakes can weaken fabric, decrease color vibrancy, and cause abrasive damage. Avoiding these issues will keep your hi-vis clothes in the best shape and keep you protected.
For great-looking high-visibility safety apparel, shop with SafetyShirtz. Our designs combine form and function to create stylish garments that maintain visibility standards. Find your new hi-vis shirt, jacket, or hoodie today.
Why Warehouse Workers Need High-Visibility Clothing
Although warehouse workers don’t typically face the same dangers as roadway construction workers, they can still benefit from wearing high-visibility clothing. Read on to find out why warehouse workers need high-visibility clothing.
It Reduces the Chance of Struck-By Injuries
All warehouse workers should wear high-visibility or enhanced visibility clothing to reduce the possibility of struck-by injuries. These injuries occur when an object has a forcible impact on your body.
In and around the warehouse, workers use heavy moving machinery and equipment to handle and store materials. You don’t want to get hurt on the docks, by the conveyor belt, or near a forklift simply because other workers didn’t notice your presence.
It’s a Simple and Effective Safety Tool
Another reason why warehouse workers need high-visibility clothing is that it’s a simple and effective safety tool. These clothes won’t impede your movement, they’re affordable, and they provide a lot of protection.
Wearing hi-vis clothes is one of the easiest ways to improve workplace safety. Hi-vis t-shirts are some of the most comfortable safety garments you can find. Depending on the level of protective visibility the shirt offers, you can choose from a range of colors and opt for reflective tape, too.
It Reduces Stress at Work
Although everyone needs to do their best to stay mindful and aware while in the warehouse, it’s not possible to remain perfectly focused all the time. Wearing high-visibility clothing can help fill the gaps in a person’s perceptions.
By highlighting the presence of all workers, everyone can stay mindful of each other very easily. Reducing confusion in the warehouse not only keeps you safer, but it can also make work processes smoother by reducing stress.
High-visibility shirts from SafetyShirtz look and feel great while protecting you at work. We carry sizes from small to 3XL in a range of stylish designs—find your safety apparel with us today.
Why It’s Important To Have Comfortable Hi-Vis Clothing
Safety apparel must satisfy strict design and manufacturing requirements to earn the label “high-visibility.” But when it comes to purchasing the right hi-vis clothing for you or your staff, you must purchase comfortable apparel for effective performance. Continue reading to learn why it’s important to have comfortable hi-vis clothing.
Properly Fitted Hi-Vis Clothes Work Better
Hi-vis clothes are a type of personal protective equipment (PPE) that reduces incident risk and helps workers avoid injury. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) categorizes high-visibility apparel and accessories into different classes based on each item’s hi-vis performance.
Each ANSI class is defined by a minimum amount of background and retroreflective material and the placement of the retroreflective material. If the retroreflective tape isn’t in the right location on the wearer’s body due to an ill-fitting garment, it reduces the efficacy of the apparel.
Poor Fit Creates Hazards
Another reason it’s important to have comfortable hi-vis clothing is that ill-fitting clothes are a safety hazard in the workplace. People who wear hi-vis gear often work around heavy objects and moving machinery; loose clothing can snag and cause trips and falls.
In contrast, clothes that are too tight limit a worker’s mobility. A tight shirt or vest doesn’t allow the wearer to comfortably raise their arms, and tight clothes often cause discomfort and increase worker fatigue.
Comfortable Clothes Increase Compliance
To receive authorization for work that requires PPE, employees must understand the purpose and limitations of the PPE. They must also know when PPE is required and how to properly wear it. But when hi-vis clothing feels uncomfortable, workers avoid wearing it altogether.
Employers should emphasize the importance of wearing hi-vis clothes, but verbal statements aren’t the only way to make a point. Provide employees with comfortable hi-vis garments that show you value their safety and expect them to wear their safety apparel.
SafetyShirtz is the number one provider of stylish high-visibility clothing. We carry safety hoodies, t-shirts, and other gear that looks great while protecting you on the job. Shop today for comfortable hi-vis clothes for you or your crew.
6 Construction Safety Tips To Always Remember
Construction sites are full of potential hazards. Stay safe with the right preparation, equipment, and mentality. Read on to learn more about six construction safety tips you should always remember.
1. Assess Risks
Construction management and workers at all levels need to assess their environments for safety hazards before beginning work. The construction industry is full of hazards, including falls and trips, the collapse of scaffolds and trenches, and electrical shocks. Workers should feel confident reporting possible problems to supervisors, and hazards should be addressed immediately.
2. Wear the Right PPE
One of the most important construction safety tips to always remember is to wear the right personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE items include head protection, high-visibility clothing, steel-toed boots, eye protection, hand protection, and harness fall protection, to name a few. Workers should wear the appropriate PPE in the right size and know the protective limitations of each item.
3. Follow Safety Rules
Training programs are the best way to prepare workers for using power tools and equipment, handling hazardous substances, applying first aid, and performing other key tasks in the field. Clear training programs and periodic refreshers will help ensure that all workers know important safety information to properly avoid injuries and respond to them as needed.
4. Know the Emergency Action Plan
Employees should also know how to respond to site-specific emergency situations such as fires, natural disasters, and heavy equipment failures. The purpose of an Emergency Action Plan is to enable and organize beneficial action during workplace emergencies.
The plan should address what personnel must do or be aware of. The plan should include basic first aid, how to report emergency situations, emergency evacuation procedures, procedures for employees performing rescues, and other information to prevent employee injury and structural damage during an emergency.
5. Stay Aware of Your Surroundings
Situational awareness helps prevent accidents, injury, and damage. When you’re situationally aware, you understand your environment, the people in it, and how interactions in the environment affect your safety. Avoid distractions that prevent you from noticing your surroundings. Situational awareness will help you make good decisions, whether you’re in a typical work situation or dealing with an emergency.
6. Communicate Clearly
Clear written and spoken communication will keep workers safe on-site. Use clear signs that mark hazards, electrocution risks, and other potentially harmful situations and equipment. Workers should also have a reliable way to reach supervisors if there’s a problem. Create a work environment that encourages workers to speak out if they see a safety hazard, including unsafe work practices.
SafetyShirtz carries a selection of hi-vis workwear that keeps workers safe in style. In our store, you’ll find durable, well-designed shirts, hoodies, tees, and more. Shop with us today.
Common Applications for High-Visibility Clothing
High-visibility clothing enhances safety and can give the wearer peace of mind in a variety of situations. Read on to learn about a few common applications for high-visibility clothing.
Occupational Personal Protective Equipment
Every day, workers in a range of industries wear high-visibility clothes as personal protective equipment (PPE). In the US, OSHA specifies the requirements for high-visibility clothes depending on the work environment and task.
Wearing retroreflective tape increases worker visibility in low-light conditions. Fluorescent colors improve visibility in sunlight. Overall, high-visibility clothes help protect workers from injury or death by reducing the likelihood of collisions with vehicles and heavy machinery.
Identification on Sight
While high-visibility clothes primarily improve safety, they also enhance the ability of a viewer to identify someone quickly on sight. Hi-vis clothes can act as a uniform that sets the wearer apart from everyone else in the vicinity. To improve identification, consider printing your company or organization’s logo on hi-vis apparel.
Emergency response teams dressed in hi-vis clothes stay visible in chaotic situations. Hi-vis vests help crossing guards stand out from their environment so the guards can effectively stop traffic. At busy construction sites, high-visibility clothing can help identify workers.
Safety During Outdoor Exercise
Another common application for high-visibility clothing is enhancing the safety of outdoor exercise. Workers and volunteers aren’t the only people who spend time near roadways.
Whether you’re going for a jog or riding a bike, wear hi-vis clothes to get motorists’ attention. In many places around the US, drivers don’t prime their awareness for people exercising on or near roadways. Even cautious drivers can have a hard time focusing their sights on people who aren’t in cars or on motorcycles.
Whether you’re exercising during the day or at night, a driver may not notice you in time to give you adequate space. Wear high-visibility clothes to alert drivers to your presence and give them sufficient time to react.
SafetyShirtz carries hi-vis t-shirts perfect for all of these applications. Whether you want to improve your visibility at work or in your free time, check out our selection of stylish clothing. Shop with us today.
5 Tips for Layering Clothes in Outdoor Construction
Wearing the right outfit is the first step in protecting your well-being at work. Stay alert and safe with the following five tips for layering clothes in outdoor construction.
1. Wear a Moisture-Wicking Base Layer
Underneath your other clothes, you should wear a base layer made with moisture-wicking fabric. This layer is crucial for avoiding clothes saturated with sweat.
Sweat-drenched clothes cause discomfort and irritate your skin, so you can benefit from a base layer at any time of year. In cold conditions, the base layer becomes essential.
The base layer lies flat on your skin and doesn’t bunch up under the other layers. It wicks, or pulls, the sweat from the surface of your skin and moves it to the outer surface of the fabric. Then, the moisture dries quickly.
2. Wear One or Two Insulating Layers
The next tip for layering clothes in outdoor construction is to wear one or two insulating layers depending on the severity of the weather. These layers will work to retain your body heat and keep out the cold. Items like fleece jackets, hoodies, and lightweight sweaters can work well.
If you won’t be working in wet conditions, it’s fine to wear fabric with a cotton blend. Polyester, fleece, and wool dry quickly. But if you’re working in wet conditions, you want to avoid letting any cotton apparel get wet.
3. If Needed, Wear an Outer Waterproof Layer
Finally, if you need protection from water, snow, or ice, wear a waterproof layer. This outer layer will prevent wind and water from coming through your fabric layers and chilling you.
Water-resistant garments resist water penetration to a degree. But waterproof layers provide the highest level of protection, not permitting water to soak in.
4. Get the Right Fit
Wearing apparel that fits you keeps you comfortable, prevents you from adding unnecessary bulk, and preserves warmth. If your clothes are ill-fitting or don’t cover enough skin, they will not provide adequate protection.
Limit how much skin you leave exposed to the cold air. Common areas that can be left exposed include wrists, necks, and, when bending, waists. Hoodies provide extra protection to your neck and can protect your head when pulled up. Jackets with high collars and thumbholes protect your neck and wrists.
Layers should be loose enough to allow a thin layer of hot air under your clothes. And they should be snug enough that they don’t allow cold air in or snag on equipment at the worksite.
5. Don’t Cover Hi-Vis Protection
Finally, don’t obscure your high-visibility apparel with items like scarves or other layers. Hi-vis clothes help you stand out from the background environment and keep you safe from many construction site hazards.
A quality hi-vis outer layer will help prevent accidents and keep you warm and dry. Whether you need a waterproof outer layer, a heavy hoodie, or a light jacket, keep your hi-vis clothes clearly visible.
SafetyShirtz makes it easy to layer up with high-visibility apparel. Our selection of hi-vis sweatshirts comes in a variety of fresh designs. Shop for the one you want today.