We’ve shared some of the hidden costs that can come with insufficient or ill-fitting personal protective equipment (PPE). There are additional challenges that come with gear that must not only protect from danger but also protect from cold weather. 

Below we share some of the gear and tips that will help keep your workers safe, warm and dry during the winter season or in cold storage areas.  

Tingley Jackets: Tailored to Your Needs

A functional and warm work jacket is indispensable during cold weather months. But like any jacket, they’re not one-size-fits-all. Tingley SYNC System® Outerwear offers interchangeable jackets, liners, and vests that lets workers customize their outerwear for their unique environment, no matter the temperature.

Mix & match for greater functionality and flexibility

A 3-in-1 jacket provides personalized all-season protection. Connect any SYNC System® liner and shell of the same size for the ultimate temperature, precipitation, work and play versatility.

Start with a Liner

Select one insulated jacket, sweater, or vest for extra warmth and added comfort. Choose from the available options:

  • Insulating
  • Breathable
  • Windproof
  • Type R Class 2
  • Type R Class 3
  • Ripstop

Add a Shell

Select one waterproof and breathable jacket of the same size as your liner for added protection. Choose from the available options:

  • Waterproof
  • Insulating
  • Breathable
  • Lightweight
  • Windproof
  • Type O Class 1
  • Type R Class 3
  • Ripstop

The Final Step: Assemble

Connect your liner to the shell using the anchor points at the neck and cuffs and interior zippers to integrate the two layers as one.

Check out the Tingley SYNC System Outerwear to learn more and to find your best fit!

Get Hands-On Protection with Ansell Gloves

The most used pieces of PPE in the dairy industry is the glove. That statistic is year-round, but the number can tick even higher during cold months.

As the temperature drops, the thickness need for gloves gets higher. And there are hidden costs outside of the price of the gloves themselves in the form of dermal issues and often-overlooked muscle issues. Thicker cold weather gloves can be more taxing on the hand’s joints and muscles and can lead to injury (the hand is the most common site affected by occupational skin disease, impacting about 2 million people with costs around $2 billion annually).

The Right Gloves for the Job

Ansell offers a wide range of gloves, including gloves that are well suited for cold weather environments. Below are some great options this season:

Ansell ActiveArmr® 23-173 gloves keep hands warm and dry and feature a tough PVC vinyl coating. These gloves are ideal for any winter applications where a high-visibility glove is required.

ActiveArmr 23-173 features:

  • Foam insulation
  • PVC vinyl coating
  • Curved fingers
  • Wing thumb
  • Jersey cotton lining

The Ansell ActiveArmr®23-193 gloves are ideal for working in cold storage and unheated warehouses or when handling chilled or refrigerated products. Ansell ActiveArmr 23-193 gloves have many of the same features as the ActiveArmr 23-173 but include a safety cuff.

Another great cold-resistant protective glove option is the ActiveArmr® 97-631, featuring exceptional grip and dexterity in low temperatures.

ActiveArmr 97-631 features:

  • PVC coating for truly flexible, firm grip gloves in cold conditions
  • Flexible nylon exterior for hand protection from mechanical risks
  • Soft, insulated acrylic interior for warm, comfortable work gloves

Other considerations for protective gloves:

  • Adequate gripping ability and cut resistance
  • Chemical protection
  • Flexible and lightweight
  • Touch screen compatible
  • Suitable for extremely high and low temperatures

High-quality gloves benefit both employees and employers. Employees can minimize exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins while reducing pain and discomfort, which improves job satisfaction. Quality hand protection also improves organizational efficiency by reducing waste and employee time off for recovery.

With thousands of options with different materials, textures, lengths, colors, and shelf life, gloves are not one-size-fits-all. So be sure to find a supplier that can meet all of your unique needs.

Dunlop Footwear: Safety, From the Ground Up

With winter comes icy and snowy conditions that can lead to dangerous and costly slips and falls.

The best solution is quality footwear that combines safety and comfort for all-day wear.

All-day comfort

Dunlop® Snugboot WorkPro Full Safety Boots are engineered to provide all-day comfort for those that are on their feet for hours.

Features:

  • PUROTEX material provides a breathable and waterproof upper
  • Fiberglass composite protective toecap and flexible non-metal anti-puncture midplate
  • Lightweight heavy-duty metal free protection
  • Slip-resistant outsole for any terrain

Dunlop® Snugboot Craftsman Boots are designed to provide comfort while wearing across a variety of terrains.

Features:

  • PUROTEX material provides a breathable and waterproof upper.
  • Offers a lightweight heavy-duty metal free protection with a fiberglass composite protective toecap and flexible non-metal anti-puncture midplate.
  • Slip-resistant outsole for any terrain.

And don’t forget – the best boot is a dry boot during the winter. Pairing winter boots with drying racks will extend their life and ensure dry comfort.

Keeping Your Boots and Ground Slip-Free

Quality boots are just step one for a safe winter season. It’s also essential to keep your entrances and parking lot slip-free in order to protect from falls. Here are some items that can help:

Your One-Stop Shop for Winter PPE

With winter comes a new conversation around PPE. It’s as important as ever to ensure that your team has equipment that is equal parts safety and comfort for the cold seasons.

Nelson-Jameson is your single-source distributor for PPE, combining the expertise and technical support to protect your entire team while consolidating your supply management!