Changing seasons doesn’t slow down the construction industry. Winter construction jobs continue despite the snow, sleet, and icy conditions. OSHA-compliant cold weather construction safety tips help keep your employees warm and dry while protecting them against the worst the season has to dish out. These tips range from choosing the right clothes and increasing employee visibility to creating warm break rooms and knowing when to call temporary halts to work for everyone’s wellbeing.
OSHA Winter Safety Tips
OSHA has a long list of cold weather construction safety tips. The organization stresses adapting to winter conditions, especially when the temperature plummets, the weather turns ugly, or as short days increase low-light conditions at worksites.
OSHA winter safety tips include:
- Training employees for proper winter driving
- Including emergency safety kits in vehicles
- Providing warm, dry shelter for breaks
- Separating work and traffic zones with signs, barriers, cones, or barrels
- Warming up before shoveling snow
- Routinely removing snow from roofs and high workplaces
- Preventing ice buildup from creating slippery conditions
- Wearing proper winter PPE
- Wearing the best cold weather construction gear
Winter Safety Wear Buyers Guide
Outdoor workers need different clothing as the seasons change. Once winter sets in, warmth is an important safety consideration. Your team needs to stay warm while maintaining
hi-visibility, fire resistance, and other safety requirements.
Wearing clothing in layers is especially important during winter construction. Your team will want to dress in three layers for maximum comfort, with each layer serving a different purpose.
The innermost layer should have moisture-wicking properties to draw sweat away from the body (athletic t-shirts work well here). The next layer should be breathable, increasing insulation by allowing warm air to circulate between the layers. Fleece sweatshirts work well for this.
Finally, you need a third outer layer to protect against snow, freezing rain, and wind. This layer usually includes a sturdy work jacket.
The best cold weather construction gear shields your team from snow, sleet, and cold temperatures. All the clothing below — from the Portwest high-visibility jackets to the winter weather work accessories — can be customized with your brand’s logo and other details.
Portwest High Visibility Jackets
Portwest is a dependable producer of hi-vis winter work jackets, combining comfort and dryness while meeting ANSI visibility standards. These two Portwest high-visibility jackets are prime examples of the best construction clothes for winter, and they look great with your company logo embroidered on the front.
- The Portwest Hi-Vis Contrast Traffic Jacket protects against the elements with a pack-away adjustable hood, elasticated storm cuffs, and multiple storm flaps with zipper and snap closures.
- The Portwest Premium 3-in-1 Bomber contains a detachable zipper sweatshirt for added warmth. Waterproof material with sealed seams protects against the elements, while 2” silver reflective tape ensures visibility.
Hi-Vis Sweatshirts
In climates where the weather turns chilly, but not freezing, these hi-vis sweatshirts are excellent outer layers.
- The ANSI Class 3 Hi-Viz Hooded Pullover Sweatshirt by Crown seals in body warmth without sacrificing breathability. This 100% polyester fleece sweatshirt features reflective taping stops at the side seams to allow for a comfortable fit.
- For a great deal, don’t miss the Portwest Hi-Vis Two-Tone Zipped Hoody. These have 2” silver heat reflective tape to keep your visibility high, while an adjustable hood and an elasticated rib waistband and cuffs protect you from inclement weather.
Jackets for Winter Construction
The best construction clothes for winter need to handle everything the elements can throw at them, including sub-zero temperatures, high winds, and freezing rain. We chose these construction worker winter jackets first for their rugged warmth and protection, as well as for how great they look when customized with your logo.
- This Quilted-Flannel-Lined Duck Active Jac by Carhartt has a water-repellent and wind-resistant quilted-flannel lining in the body and quilted-nylon lining in the sleeves.
- The Parka with CSA Compliant Reflective Striping from Bulwark Protection is a high-visibility parka with 7 oz. 88% cotton/12% nylon insulation. Elastic inserts at the waist and a deep-pleated action back improve ease of movement, and an isolated stand-up collar helps block the cold and wind.
- Caterpillar’s Heavy Insulated Parka is made of durable polyester oxford with a water-resistant outer shell and reflective webbing to keep you warm, dry, and visible in low-light conditions.
Insulated Work Pants
Your workforce’s winter work clothes need to keep their lower extremities as warm and protected as their upper bodies. Insulated work pants and bibs guard against the cold not only in winter but also in refrigerated warehouse settings. Examples include:
- Berne Apparel’s Fire Resistant, Quilt-Lined Deluxe Bib is made from 100% fire-resistant cotton twill. These insulated work pants with a high back will keep your employees warm in the depths of winter while meeting ASTM F1506, NFPA 70E, and OSHA 1910.269(l)(6)(iii) fire-resistance requirements.
- The Men’s Hi-Vis Insulated Pull-On Snow Pant by Work King is a pair of pull-on insulated work pants with high-visibility features and snaps on the lower legs to allow for boots.
- PIP’s Insulated Bib Pants provides insulation to keep your employees warm. Both waterproof and windproof, these insulated work pants are lightweight and flexible and comply with ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 Type E hi-viz requirements.
Customizing the Best Cold Weather Construction Gear
Customizing your winter construction clothes adds an extra touch to your workwear. You get free advertising every time someone sees one of your employees wearing customized work clothes. Still, equally important, customized workwear builds employee loyalty, making them feel valued at the company. Contact Triple Crown Products today, and we’ll help you select winter clothing that’s worthy of your logo.