Winter workwear protects against severe weather, even in sub-zero temperatures, by insulating and lining to keep you cool, waterproof and protected against snow and rain. They protect against mechanical impacts and against dirt and damage during the working process. They are made of reliable and durable materials, so they are comfortable and functional when worn, despite conditions both at work and in leisure time.
Why is winter workwear useful?
Winter workwear includes work jackets, work trousers, work trousers with suspenders, work overalls, gloves, fleeces and caps.
Work jackets: work jackets are made of thermally insulating materials that protect against cold and wind. They are indispensable for maintaining body heat, which is particularly important in winter conditions where cold temperatures can increase the risk of hypothermia.
Work trousers: work trousers are designed to offer protection against the cold while being flexible enough not to restrict movement. They provide warmth without sacrificing mobility, which is essential for physical work.
Work Bib & Brace: these trousers offer extra protection in the torso area and prevent the garment from coming down while working. The straps help to keep the trousers in place, which is especially important when bending and lifting.
Work overalls: overalls offer full body protection against the cold and are ideal for working in extreme winter conditions. They provide even coverage and thermal insulation throughout the body, which is particularly important in cold and windy environments.
Gloves: gloves are essential to protect your hands from the cold and are often made of materials that retain heat but allow good grip and finger mobility. This is essential when working with tools and equipment in cold conditions.
Fleeces: fleeces are lightweight but extremely warm and provide an extra layer of thermal insulation under work jackets. They are flexible and comfortable, allowing workers to stay warm without feeling weighed down.
Hats: Hats protect your head and ears from the cold, which is especially important as a lot of body heat can be lost through the head. They are essential for maintaining body temperature, especially in extremely cold or windy conditions.
Benefits of winter workwear
Winter workwear has many benefits, especially for those who work outdoors or in cold environments.
Thermal insulation: winter workwear is designed to retain body heat and provide insulation against the cold, which is essential for working in cold conditions.
Weather protection: these garments offer protection against cold, wind, snow and even rain. They are often waterproof or at least water-repellent, which prevents water from soaking the clothes and cooling the body.
Visibility: winter workwear is often equipped with reflective strips or made in bright colours to increase the visibility of the worker in low-light conditions, which is especially important in winter when the days are shorter.
Comfort and mobility: modern winter workwear is designed to provide comfort and mobility, which is important for workers performing physically demanding tasks.
Durability and resilience: these garments are often made of durable materials that are resistant to wear, tear and damage, which is important in rough working conditions.
Versatility: some winter workwear is modular, meaning you can add or remove layers depending on the temperature and working conditions.
Fall protection: some winter workwear comes with additional features such as padding in critical areas, which can help reduce the risk of injury from falls.
Health protection: Adequate protection from the cold reduces the risk of cold-related health problems such as frostbite and hypothermia.
Features of winter workwear
Breathability: Breathability refers to the ability of a fabric to allow air to pass through the material. This is important in workwear as it prevents moisture and perspiration from building up on the skin, which helps to keep the worker dry and comfortable. Breathable clothing is particularly important in cold conditions, as moisture on the skin can quickly reduce body temperature.
Reflective details: reflective details on workwear are designed to improve the visibility of the worker, especially in low-light conditions or low-visibility environments. These details are usually made of light-reflecting materials, which help to make the worker more visible and increase safety at work.
Wind resistance: wind resistance means that the material prevents wind from passing through the garment. This is crucial for heat retention, as wind can quickly move heat away from the body, leading to faster cooling. Wind-resistant clothing is therefore essential in cold and windy conditions.
Water permeability: water permeability is the characteristic of a material that allows water to pass through it. This is important in workwear, where water protection and breathability need to be balanced to prevent the build-up of moisture inside the garment.
Water repellency: Water repellency refers to the ability of a material to repel water rather than absorb it. This is crucial for workwear used in wet or rainy conditions, as it prevents water from penetrating the garment and keeps the wearer dry.
In winter workwear, it is important to balance these features to ensure optimum protection and comfort in different working conditions. Depending on the specific needs of the work environment and weather conditions, clothing can be adapted to meet different requirements in terms of breathability, visibility, wind and water resistance.
Areas of use for winter workwear
Winter
workwear is essential in many industries and work environments, especially where employees are exposed to cold or extreme weather conditions.
Construction: workers on construction sites are often exposed to cold temperatures, wind and precipitation. Winter workwear provides the necessary thermal protection and allows work to continue during the cold months.
Road maintenance and infrastructure: workers involved in road and infrastructure maintenance, such as road repairs, snow clearing and bridge maintenance, need winter clothing to stay warm and safe when working outdoors.
Agriculture and forestry: farmers and foresters work in a wide range of weather conditions, including cold and snow. Warm clothing is essential for protection and comfort when working in the field or forest.
Mining and oil industry: workers in the mining and oil industry often work in open and exposed locations where cold temperatures are a common problem.
Transport and logistics: truck drivers, warehousemen and other workers in the transport and logistics industry need winter workwear to protect them from the cold, especially when working in cold stores or loading and unloading outdoors.
Public safety and emergency services: police officers, firefighters and paramedics often work in extreme weather conditions. Winter workwear provides them with the warmth and protection they need to carry out their duties.
Municipal services: workers in municipal services such as waste collection, park maintenance and other outside municipal work need appropriate winter clothing to protect them during the cold months.
Tourism and hospitality: guides, ski instructors, winter resort staff and other workers in the tourism industry often work outdoors in cold conditions.
Winter workwear standards
EN 342: Protection against frost
This standard specifies requirements and test methods for garments designed to provide protection in cold environments. The standard focuses on garments that are capable of conserving body heat and protecting against cold temperatures, particularly in environments where temperatures are below -5 °C.
EN 407: Protection against thermal risks
This standard specifies requirements for gloves that protect hands against thermal hazards such as heat, fire, contact with hot objects, and the like. The standard focuses on the different levels of protection offered by gloves and how these levels are determined through testing.
EN 420: General requirements
EN 420 is a generic standard that sets out the basic requirements for all types of protective gloves. It includes requirements for sizing, comfort, safety, labelling and information from the manufacturer. The standard ensures that gloves are fit for use and do not cause harm to the wearer.
EN 511: Protection against frost
Similar to EN 342, EN 511 focuses on cold protection, but specifically targets gloves. It specifies requirements and test methods for gloves that protect hands against cold and water penetration. This standard is key to ensuring that gloves keep hands warm and dry in cold conditions.
EN ISO 13688: General requirements
This standard specifies general requirements for the design and construction of protective clothing. It includes requirements for ergonomics, comfort, sizing, abrasion resistance, marking and information from the manufacturer. It is a basic standard to ensure that protective clothing is safe and effective in its use.
EN 388: Mechanical protection
This standard focuses on gloves that offer protection against mechanical hazards such as cuts, punctures, tears and abrasion. It specifies test methods and requirements for gloves to ensure their effectiveness in providing protection against various mechanical hazards.
Quality brands of winter workwear
ATG
ATGbrand is known for its innovative gloves designed for protection at work. Their gloves are made using advanced technologies such as microporous coatings and ergonomic design to ensure comfort and a good grip.
Coverguard
Coverguard is a brand that focuses on workwear and personal protective equipment. Their products include high-visibility clothing, protective footwear and other equipment designed to ensure safety and comfort in a variety of work environments.
Lacuna
Lacuna is a Croatian company that produces high quality workwear with a modern design. Renowned for its innovation and precision in manufacturing, Lacuna offers a wide range of garments for different occasions and tastes. Lacuna is characterised by combining quality materials, functionality and aesthetic design. Their workwear is made from premium fabrics that ensure comfort, durability and a good fit.
Personalisation of winter workwear
Winter workwear is not only essential to protect and comfort your employees in cold conditions, it also plays an important role in your company's image. These garments can be a powerful marketing tool that builds brand awareness and contributes to a positive public image of the company.
When employees are equipped with uniformed, professionally designed winter workwear that reflects the company's colours and logo, it not only reflects in their outward appearance, but also instils a sense of belonging and team spirit among employees. Uniformed clothing helps to create an impression of unity and professionalism, which can give customers and partners additional confidence in your company.
Personalisation options such as embroidery or digital printing allow the company logo, slogan or other corporate messages to be elegantly and permanently integrated into the garments. This not only increases brand awareness, but also ensures that the company is visible in any work environment - from construction sites to outdoor workplaces.
In addition, personalised workwear is a great way to promote your company at events such as trade fairs, conferences and public events. This is particularly important for companies that want to distinguish themselves as leaders in their industry or as employers who care about the well-being of their employees.
Finally, it should not be overlooked that personalised winter workwear contributes to a strong corporate identity and company culture. Employees who wear clothing that represents them as part of a team can feel more connected to their employer, which can lead to greater engagement at work and better work morale.
Accordingly, investing in high-quality, functional and aesthetically appealing winter workwear that is tailored to your company's image is an important step in developing and maintaining a strong and respected brand.