As a PPE company that’s headquartered in West Michigan, we get it. Working in the cold is tough. And when temperatures drop, the last thing you want is your safety record to take an unexpected nose dive.
The best thing you can do is be prepared for working in cold weather... and here's why.
Cold stress issues on the job
For safety professionals and site managers, cold stress is a serious concern when temperatures drop. Workers exposed to freezing or wet conditions are at risk for frostnip, frostbite, and hypothermia – all of which can cause significant tissue damage, impaired performance, and even loss of extremities if not addressed quickly.
Recognizing early symptoms of hypothermia is critical. These may include shivering, fatigue, confusion, slurred speech, and loss of coordination. As body heat continues to fall, workers can lose dexterity and fine motor control – making everyday tasks more hazardous. A loss of feeling in the hands is one of the most common cold-weather risks, often leading to dropped tools, crushed fingers, or lacerations.
Adding wet clothing or moisture to the mix dramatically increases danger. Water pulls body heat away 25 times faster than air, meaning wet hands, feet, or other affected areas are far more likely to freeze. Once the frostbitten area sets in, severe tissue damage can occur, sometimes resulting in permanent injury or amputation.
Beyond the health risks, cold stress also reduces productivity, precision, and morale. Workers who are uncomfortable or can’t feel their fingers can’t perform effectively or safely. For employers, this means higher incident rates, more downtime, and lower job-site efficiency.
Learn how to identify, prevent, and treat cold stress before it impacts your team’s safety and productivity. See how you can treat cold stress here.
Working with proper cold-weather PPE
This is where having the proper cold-weather PPE comes into play. You deserve insulated gloves that deliver tough protection against not just the elements but all the regular hazards you face on the job. They combine exceptional comfort, dexterity, and fit better than anyone else on the market. HexArmor® can help.
HexArmor® offers a full line of cold-weather work gloves
Please note that all performance ratings comply with ANSI/ISEA 105-2020 and ANSI/ISEA 138-2019, respectively.
For cool temps, check out these insulated work gloves with a fleece liner:
- Helix® Cold Weather 2073: Features A6-Level cut-resistance in a full double-dipped coating for liquid resistance
- Helix® 2077: Features a seamless A6-Level cut-resistance in a 13-gauge acrylic and fiberglass blend shell with an interior fleece lining and sandy-nitrile palm coating
- Thin Lizzie™ Thermal 2091: Features A6-Level cut-resistance that combines our most popular knit with Level 2 back-of-hand impact
- Thin Lizzie™ Thermal 2099: Features an interior fleece lining for comfort and insulation and a full palm coating for 360-degree protection
When the temperature drops further, try one of our gloves that feature C40 Thinsulate™ liner and H2X® waterproof liner:
- Rig Lizard Arctic® 2023X: Features A3-Level cut-resistance and Level 1 impact protection with a durable TP-X® palm and reinforced thumb saddle
- Chrome Series® Arctic Leather 4082: Features A8-Level cut-resistance and A6-Level abrasion-resistance with SuperFabric® brand material in the palm
- Chrome Series® Arctic 4086: Features A8-Level cut-resistance and Level 2 hi-vis impact protection with a durable double-stitched and core-spun thread interior seam
Need something warmer? Try our gloves that feature C100 Thinsulate™ liner:
- Chrome SLT® Winter 4063W: Features A7-Level cut resistance in a durable goatskin leather construction that’s treated with OilGuard® technology, helping prevent liquid saturation
- Chrome SLT® Cold Weather 4064: Features A4-Level cut resistance and Level 2 impact protection in a pre-curved construction for a form fit and goatskin leather palm for a solid grip
- Chrome SLT® Winter 4066W: Features A7-Level cut-resistance with a buffalo skin leather construction for excellent durability and abrasion resistance
- Chrome SLT® Winter 4067W: Features a buffalo leather construction with 360° A7-Level cut-resistance and back-of-hand Level 2 impact protection
- Chrome SLT® Winter 4073W: Features 360° A6-Level cut-resistance with goatskin leather fourchettes paired with a full leather wrap-around index finger for better durability. Plus, the gloves have a wind and water-resistant back-of-hand soft shell
Need extreme cold-weather work gloves? Try our gloves that feature C200 Thinsulate™ liner:
- Chrome SLT® Winter 4064IMPW: Features A7-Level cut-resistance and Level 2 impact protection with our warmest winter and waterproof liner. The gloves are also treated with proprietary OilGuard® technology to help delay saturation issues
HexArmor's permanent anti-fog safety eyewear is a must in the cold
Workers’ warm breath and body heat contrast with the cold climate, causing safety glasses to fog up instantly, subjecting them to potential hazards and compliance issues.
Chemically engineered NOT to wash off, HexArmor’s TruShield®2F and TruShield®2SF offer permanent anti-fog coatings on the inside and outside of the lenses. Four times thicker than the competition, these coatings are available in several comfortable frames to protect against moderate to heavy fogging on the job.
HexArmor® can help
When you prepare adequately for the cold weather, you’re more likely to keep the safety record slate clear during winter and keep productivity and worker morale high.
Have questions about what cold-weather PPE may be right for you? Understanding the PPE you need for your workplace environment is imperative to any cold-weather or cold-stress safety program.
Download our cold-weather work solutions and see which product may be the best for you and your application, or learn more about our cold-weather technology.
Let us know if you need help or are ready to start a trial – our Solution Specialists are ready to work with you. Call 1.877.MY ARMOR or send us a message.
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