Cold PPE

Are you looking for cold PPE for yourself or your employees? Here are the key factors to help you make the right decision: Adaptability to the job and the person The provision of PPE in a cold environment will depend on the conditions of activity (intensity, duration of exposure, recurrence, work rate), the environment (temperature, air humidity, wind) and the employee's physical condition (perspiration, age, medical history, etc.). An ambient temperature (sheltered from the wind) of less than 5°C can be considered to have a direct effect on health (and therefore requires the use of standardised clothing). For temperatures between 5 and 15°C, the direct risks are lower, but can still cause slight discomfort. Outdoors, exposure to wind aggravates the conditions felt (e.g. -5°C with wind at 15km/h: 11° C felt = low risk & -15°C with wind at 25km/h: -25° C felt= moderate risk). Excessive cold is defined as below -25° C. A distinction is made between a cool environment >-5°C humidity & wind and a cold environment <-5°C humidity & wind. Thermal insulation and breathability Thermal insulation is the main criterion for effective cold PPE. Look for materials that retain body heat while being breathable. Synthetic fibres such as 100% polyester or polycotton with fleece or quilted lining. Make sure the clothing has an adequate insulating layer for the temperatures you will be exposed to. It is preferable to equip employees with several layers of clothing rather than a single thick garment (the layer closest to the body should be insulating and draw moisture away from the skin to keep it dry). Comfort and mobility Comfort is crucial for prolonged use. Clothing must allow freedom of movement without compromising protection. Ergonomic, loose-fitting cuts are recommended. In addition, features such as waterproof zips and hand-warmer pockets can enhance comfort. Security Make sure that your PPE complies with current safety standards, such as NF EN ISO 14058 (protection in a cool environment), EN 342 (protection in a cold environment) or EN 343 (protection against bad weather). In particular, we specify thermal insulation performance (e.g. 0.370 m²K/W for our Sibérie model, i.e. 8h at -26.3°C or 1h at -45.8°C for a person on the move with moderate activity: 170 W/m2) & air permeability (e.g. 2 for Sibérie, level from 0 to 3: the higher the class, the better the wind protection). Durability and maintenance Investing in durable, easy-to-maintain PPE is cost-effective in the long term. Check the care instructions to ensure that garments can be cleaned without losing their protective properties. Materials that resist wear and tear are preferable. That's why ALM recommends fabrics designed for industrial care. Take a look at our range of waistcoats, blouses, parka jackets, trousers and cold weather coveralls for professionals. With ALM, the specialist in professional clothing, you can benefit from optimum comfort and unrivalled performance to help you excel with your customers and staff.