Cold-Weather Work Clothing & Gear
Cold makes hands clumsy, slows your thinking and can lead to frostbite and hypothermia. The right clothing keeps you warm and dry without getting in the way of your other PPE or the job.
- Construction
- Outdoor workers
- Cold storage
Dress in layers
| Layer | Job | Good choices | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | Move sweat away from skin | Synthetic or wool long underwear | Cotton, which stays wet and cold |
| Middle | Hold in warmth | Fleece, wool, insulated vest or jacket | Bulky layers that limit movement |
| Outer | Block wind and water | Windproof, water-resistant shell or insulated bibs and parka | Loose drawstrings or long scarves near rotating equipment |
Layers let you adjust as you warm up working or cool down on breaks. Open a layer before you start sweating; wet clothing loses heat fast.
Head, hands and feet
- Head: use a hard hat liner or a thin balaclava made to fit under a hard hat. Don’t wear a thick winter cap that pushes the hard hat up off the suspension.
- Hands: thin liner gloves under insulated work gloves let you take off the outer pair for fine tasks. Keep a dry spare pair. Insulated gloves with cut or impact protection are available.
- Feet: insulated, waterproof safety-toe boots, with wool or synthetic socks. Composite toes don’t conduct cold like steel. Don’t lace so tight that circulation is cut off, and keep dry socks in the truck.
- Face: a neck gaiter or face mask in wind, but make sure it doesn’t fog your safety glasses or block your respirator seal.
Winter gear and other PPE
- Hi-vis: wear hi-vis outerwear, or a vest over your coat. A vest under a parka does nothing. Many winter parkas and bibs meet ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 3.
- FR: if you need flame-resistant or arc-rated clothing, your winter layers on the outside must be FR too. A regular nylon coat over FR can melt and burn.
- Fall protection: fit your harness over your winter layers, and check the fit again if you add or remove layers.
- Respirators: facial coverings can’t come between the respirator seal and your skin.
- Traction: ice cleats or traction devices for icy surfaces, removed before climbing ladders.
Watch for cold stress. Shivering, numb or white fingers and toes, confusion and slurred speech are warning signs. Get to a warm place, and call 911 for confusion or severe shivering that stops. See Cold Stress.
Who pays?
Under federal OSHA, employers generally don’t have to pay for ordinary clothing used only for protection from weather, such as winter coats, parkas, gloves and hats. Special protective gear, like FR winter wear when FR is required or gear for work in freezers, may be different. Many employers and union contracts provide winter gear anyway. Ask before you buy.
Cold-weather kit
- Base layer that isn’t cotton
- Insulated jacket or vest, plus a wind and water shell
- Hard hat liner or balaclava
- Liner gloves plus insulated work gloves, and a spare pair
- Insulated safety boots and extra wool socks
- Hi-vis outer layer
- Hand warmers and a thermos of a warm drink
Standards & references
- OSHA: Cold stress guide
- 29 CFR 1926.95: PPE criteria and payment exceptions
- See also: Flame-Resistant Clothing · High-Visibility Clothing
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