Many professions are associated with daily risks due to weather conditions. In winter, it is especially important to protect workers from dangerous factors. Winter workwear for men helps reduce risks from the external environment. When chosen correctly and in compliance with state standards, it helps maintain a comfortable temperature, does not restrict movement, and protects from the wind.
Types of clothing
There are many types of winter workwear:
- Jackets - unlike regular ones, must have a detachable insulated lining with a fastening strip. A warm or fur collar and a windproof "skirt" along the waist line are required;
- Padded jackets – used for additional insulation;
- Overalls are trousers connected to a jacket. Overalls provide better protection from wind and cold;
- Semi-overalls are a type of work trousers with an additional fabric insert that protects the chest. The insert is secured to the straps;
- Vests – worn over jackets, provide additional protection from the wind. Often made with reflective elements;
- Thermal underwear must have tight-fitting knitted elements on the sleeves and at the bottom of the trousers;
- Headwear - there are lightweight, insulated and especially insulated winter hats, as well as balaclavas;
- Gloves or mittens – made from waterproof and wind-resistant materials;
- Footwear – must be water-repellent and insulated. Can also be equipped with a protective toe cap and anti-puncture insole. According to the materials, footwear is classified into 3 main groups: made of genuine leather and its substitutes, made of rubber and polyvinyl chloride, felted (valenki) or felted.
In addition, insulated clothing varies by temperature range of application. Each climate zone corresponds to a certain protection class depending on humidity and temperature, as well as wind speed. For example, in a zone with a temperature of -25 C, you need to use class 3 clothing. In the zone of extremely low temperatures (up to -41 C), workers in the far north need clothing of the highest, 4th class of protection.
What are the best materials and fabrics?
For the production of warm work clothes, mixed or synthetic fabrics with water-repellent properties are mainly used. GOST 12.4.218-99 defines the technical requirements for materials. The choice of materials is influenced by the industry for which the manufactured clothing is intended.
The most common fillers are:
- Lightweight batting;
- Sintepon;
- Hollowfiber;
- Thinsulate.
Wadding is made of cotton wool and a mesh base. Wadding with a density of 200-400 g/m2 is mainly used to insulate clothing. A distinction is made between natural and synthetic fabric. Natural wadding is made of cotton, linen and wool, it "breathes", establishes normal moisture exchange and retains heat. But such fabric quickly becomes sparse, workwear made of it is heavy, and due to good hygroscopicity, it becomes even heavier in wet weather. Artificial wadding consists of a mixture of wool and synthetics or viscose. It is wear-resistant and does not wrinkle. Such fabric is lighter, therefore it gradually replaces natural wadding.
Synthetic batting (sintepon) is a very light, soft and elastic material that provides good heat retention. But it does not absorb moisture well, is easily deformed and rolls up from mechanical stress. Due to its fusibility, sintepon cannot be used in clothing intended for work with fire and electricity.
Hollowfiber is made of polyester. It is breathable, resistant to deformation, retains heat, lightweight, durable and long-lasting. But this fabric does not allow water to pass through well and is much more expensive than synthetic padding. Hollowfiber is used in sewing uniforms for employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and oil companies. This insulation has also proven itself as an ideal material for special clothing intended for use at critically low temperatures.
Thinsulate, or artificial fluff, also withstands extremely low temperatures and has good wear resistance. But it is quite expensive, accumulates static electricity, and due to good thermal insulation, suits made of Thinsulate can only be used in a certain temperature range - otherwise there is a risk of overheating. Thinsulate and holofiber are similar in their properties, but holofiber is more voluminous. Therefore, if you need to perform work in which precise coordination of movements is important, it is better to choose clothes made of Thinsulate.
There are thermal insulation criteria for clothing. The unit of thermal insulation is clo. Winter clothing under severe working conditions corresponds to 6 clo, and a wadded jacket - 3 clo.
Clothing requirements
Winter clothing should first and foremost protect the worker from the cold, then the weather will not affect the performance of official duties. The main difference from the usual uniform is that without special clothing it is impossible to carry out some types of work. Therefore, work clothes for winter should:
- Temperature appropriate - protect from cold but not cause overheating;
- Ensure ventilation of the body, otherwise moisture begins to accumulate under clothing;
- Protect from external moisture;
- Protect from the wind; seams on winter clothing should not be open, otherwise cold air will penetrate through them;
- Do not restrict movement; for this purpose, multi-layer structures made of different types of fabric are used - such work clothes are warm, but at the same time thin;
- Be wear-resistant, with durable and functional fittings;
- The filler should not be deformed and should not have any “migration” of fibers;
- Get dressed quickly.
Equipment for working outdoors in winter must prevent cold penetration in any body position. Therefore, trousers are made with a high and insulated waist area. A windproof strip must be sewn into jackets, and the sleeves must have an elastic band, knitted cuff or Velcro fastener. There must be a drawstring under the bottom of each trouser leg to prevent snow from getting into shoes.
It is also necessary that the clothes have an adjustable waist. The back of the overalls must have a reserve of fabric that will provide freedom of bending. In addition, you should check the size of the hood. If it is not adjustable, it can obscure the view, which will create additional inconvenience.
Also, men's work clothes must correspond to the type of work performed. A welder's suit must be made of non-flammable dense materials that are impregnated with special solutions. Workers working in difficult weather conditions and on railways must wear clothes with reflective elements. And if work is carried out with hazardous substances in winter, then special clothing must also be impermeable to gases and some types of liquids.
It is best to make workwear in a uniform style throughout the entire enterprise. Psychologists have found that people in uniforms perform better and show more discipline. Such work clothes also create a sense of cohesion and belonging to a team.
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