Staying Warm While Working at a Construction Site

No matter the weather, the show must go on. We know that the hotter days make working outside unbearable, but working in the cold can be quite challenging too. When you work in construction, you must make sure you wear breathable clothes so that you’re not uncomfortable. You must also wear your safety gear, so it’s another layer to add on.

It can be hard to know what clothing to wear when working in cold conditions on a construction site. Do you wear fleece? Should you stick to cotton? Should you wear multiple layers? You need to make sure that you’re dressed properly in cold weather conditions so that you can stay warm and safe. 

Here at BUCO, we have all the information you need to know about the different types of clothing to wear in cold environments on construction sites. 

What Kind of Protective Gear Should Be Worn in Colder Days

Working in cold environments on construction sites requires specialized protective gear to ensure the safety and well-being of workers. If you didn’t know, cold weather can increase the risk of frostbite, hypothermia, and other cold-related injuries. Although it might not snow in certain parts of South Africa, it can get very cold in some areas. 

Here is a basic list of the type and kind of construction protective gear that should be worn on colder days:

• Insulated jacket and pants or overalls
• Multiple layers of clothing
• A warm hat, balaclava and gloves
• Waterproof boots and thermal socks
• Safety goggles or glasses
• Hand or foot warmers

How to Keep Warm in Cold Conditions on Site

When you’re at home, you drink something warm like tea, coffee, or hot chocolate to warm you up. When you’re at work on the construction site, and it’s cold, you must double up on clothing. Apart from wearing thermal, fleece and insulated clothing, there are other ways to keep warm in cold conditions on site, here are a few:

• Take regular breaks, if possible, in a warm and dry place to warm up, change wet clothing and rest.
• Sip on a hot drink, such as tea or coffee.
• Staying active generates body heat. By moving and exercising, you’re warming yourself up.
• Drinking water and eating high-energy foods can help your body generate heat and maintain energy levels.
• Rotate tasks between indoor and outdoor activities to limit long periods of exposure to cold conditions.

Tips for Keeping Warm on the Construction Site

Keeping warm on a construction site is crucial for worker comfort, safety, and productivity, especially in cold weather. Check out some of our hot tips to help construction workers stay warm during winter:

Know the Signs of Cold Stress

Did you know that your body can go into what’s known as cold stress? This happens when your body is no longer able to warm itself, which leads to hypothermia. If you’re not sure how to identify the signs of cold stress, some symptoms show as shivering, shallow breathing, drowsiness, weak pulse, and loss of coordination. A person that is showing these signs needs to get their core temperature back. Remove wet clothing, throw on warm clothing and blankets and keep them dry. 

Remember, Safety (Meeting) First

Communication is key, in every single aspect of life. Safety is important, and so is the wellbeing of every single employee on the construction site. Hold a quick safety meeting to let your employees know the dangers of cold stress and other cold related triggers. Ensure that every member is dressed warm and appropriately for the cold.

Dress in Layers

A useful piece of advice to follow is to always wear three layers of clothing when working in the cold. The first layer would be clothing that is designed to absorb sweat from your body. The second layer would be to wear something that will keep you warm, such as fleece. Lastly, the third layer should be waterproof and windproof to protect you against the external elements. 

Cover Your Head

Staying warm from head to toe is always ideal during colder conditions. Keep your head warm by wearing a beanie. You can also choose to wear a ski mask to keep your face warm. 

Protect the Extremities

Your hands and feet are what we’d like to call, the extremities. Make sure that you wear quality gloves that will keep your hands safe and warm. Don’t forget to invest in the right type of safety boots, to prevent water from seeping in. 

What is The Dress Code for Construction Workers in Cold Environments?

Many industries have a smart casual type of dress code, but construction workers have a very specific type of dress code to follow. In cold environments specifically, their construction safety gear would be considered the outer layer and the other two layers would be to absorb sweat and to keep you warm. Here is a basic construction gear dress code workers should be wearing in cold environments:

• Three layers of clothing. One for sweat absorption, one for keeping you warm and one for protecting you against the external elements.
• A hat or beanie to keep your head warm and a ski mask for your face and ears.
• Strong gloves to protect and keep your hands warm.
• Insulated and waterproof boots with thermal socks.
• Safety goggles or glasses.
• Your PPE construction safety gear such as boots, hard hats etc.

Find all your construction safety gear needs at Buco. From safety boots and helmets, to disposable coveralls and overalls; Buco has it all. Browse our website today.