Significance of PPE Kit during Cold Weather
Dealing with winter can be difficult if working outside. Without the option of cranking up the thermostat, simple tasks during such conditions can become problematic and hazardous. Thus, it requires workers to face new challenges while in Jobsite. The reason being that in many cases, work doesn’t stop even in adverse situations. It is here that significance of PPE Kit during Cold Weather comes in handy. So, to ensure that the employees work to the best of their capabilities without any hindrances, it is imperative to provide them with PPE kits suitable for these conditions which is why we are going to discuss the Significance of PPE Kit during Cold Weather
But what is PPE, you may ask? Generally, they are known as ‘Personal Protective Equipment’, which refers to anything that you wear to protect yourself from any hazardous conditions, safety risks or even any accidents. They are a way of defending one’s body from any weather conditions as they provide insulation, cold resistance and many other features.
Importance Of Winter PPE Kits
Engaging with the employees and seeking their suggestion is the best way of upgrading PPE for winter environments to reach the right solution because employers need to owe a duty of care to their employees, safe and healthy working conditions. However, to ensure full safety of the workforce during a decrease in temperature, adequate PPE supply and stock are essential to avoid any injury due to exposure to cold for a long time. Some Of the winter PPE Equipment that highlights Importance are-
Multiple Layers of Clothing
Providing proper PPE clothing gear is a must to avoid prolonged exposure to cold weather and hypothermia. And so, to protect the employees from any hazards, the clothing gear includes multi-layers instead of just a single one as they deliver thermal insulation to its maximum. Ideally, there are three layers of protection:
- Inner layer: made up of synthetic fibres like polyester or silk, this layer helps the skin remain moisture free and dry to ensure thermal insulation.
- Middle layer: made of thinner insulating material like thermal fleece (removable) or wool, this layer helps to keep the body warm even when wet. They further offer comfort, ventilation and flexibility without any limitations to movement.
- Outer layer: consisting of insulated jackets or coats, it prevents the body from wind. Also, being water repellent and breathable, this layer stops the exposure to any harsh conditions and maintains body heat.
So, this clothing gear ensures the absence of any discomfort of continuously removing and wearing clothes as the core body temperatures changes making them a significant part of the winter PPE kit.
Head Protection
Not wearing any hard hats outside while working is one of the main ways of losing body heat. By covering the area around the head, neck and ears, the use of these hats and removable hoods help in protecting the body from frostbite and the risk of losing heat. Furthermore, it also helps to keep away any rain droplets or wind that may make the employees vulnerable to an injury.
Hand Protection
Having cold hands can hinder the worker’s ability to complete manual tasks. Thus, wearing insulated warm gloves which are a part of the PPE kit is critical in such cold conditions. It ensures protection from cuts, flexibility as well as comfort so that it suits lower temperatures and different job tasks without any hassle. Intending to provide warmth to the hand, it also protects from frostbite in those areas of the hand that have limited blood circulation. It is because these gloves guarantee knuckle and fingertip protection, sweat management, multi-layer palm fabric and an outer shell that resists all.
Foot Protection
As the temperature drops during this season, there is a high possibility of snow and slushes, making the walkways slippery. So, to ensure that the workers can move freely from one place to another without any probabilities of situations turning hazardous, employers need to make sure that the working conditions are safe and sound. Providing heavy-duty work boots or insulated anti-slip boots are necessary as they affect the behaviour and performance of the workers. These boots are felt-lined and studded with rubber bottoms and removable insoles which guarantee warmth, durability and grip to prevent slips or trip falls. They are crucial along with liner socks which are made of synthetic material to keep the feet dry, warm and sweat-free to avoid frostbite, thus, making them a significant part of the Winter PPE kit.
Anti UV Eye Protection
Bad weather often limits visibility. As a result, a chance of getting injured during such time becomes higher. Furthermore, solar radiation during winters doesn’t decrease at all. They take place during winters with the snow reflecting the bright light. Thus, it can damage the eye-sight of the working staff. And so, to avoid these circumstances, anti-UV eye protection or anti-fog coating gear is an important essential of the winter PPE kit. These goggles with silver mirrors help the eye evade the glare of the sun and provide high visibility during fog making it a little easier for the employees to work.
However, receiving all these facilities in just one PPE kit is quite challenging. But UNITO is one such manufacturing company that aims to promise ethical and reliable products with an affordable price range. Being the best PPE manufacturer in India with 30 years of experience, we work closely with our customers by offering a wide range of choices and high-quality workwear and safety garments with innovative designs suitable for different weather conditions.
Are These Kits Helpful at All?
As it is widely said and believed that the workforce is the businesses’ number one asset, ensuring them with safety, health, as well as, comfort is the foremost responsibility of the employers, especially during winters. Keeping in mind that cold stress is a real thing, It is important to know the significance of PPE Kit during Cold Weather Safeguarding and protecting these employees with the help of PPE kit that is durable, comfortable, slip-resistant and cold protected ensure workers safety and most importantly job satisfaction for the employers. Thus, it is best to prepare for such situations beforehand than to deal and avoid unnecessary injuries later.