The cold weather months can be tough on workers and production overall. Last winter, the Institute for Supply Management reported that manufacturing expansion had slowed in February as new orders, production and employment had all slipped. One factor was severe cold which caused factories to shut down. Although that’s not the norm, cold weather certainly results in slower output if not shutting down factories altogether. 

It’s no surprise that when workers are cold, they work slower. Keeping them warm in the winter is an easy way to keep employees happy and working more efficiently. By making sure workers are comfortable, you not only take a step toward being more productive, you also comply with OSHA expectations. There are no set regulations, but OSHA does have recommendations. To protect employees from having to work in uncomfortable temperatures, OSHA recommends that employers keep the thermostat between 68 and 78 degrees.  Additionally, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) of 1970, employers have a duty to protect workers from recognized hazards, including cold stress hazards, that are causing or likely to cause serious physical harm or death in the workplace. 

Cold stress is the continued exposure to cold, windy, wet conditions that cause heat to leave the body and drive down skin and internal body temperature. It shows itself in three major injuries: hypothermia, frostbite and immersion/trench foot. See How to Identify and Prevent Job Site Cold Stress for more information.

There are 3 simple ways to keep workers warm in cold weather:

1. SPACE HEATERS 

Portable heaters come in different sizes for personal use or for a work station. They’re the easiest to buy and use. No installation or setup necessary. They can be taken to different outdoor job sites or used inside a warehouse. The TPI Infrared Heaters, for example, conducts powerful heat for snow and ice control, outdoor spot heating, and all indoor heating applications.  For more information on space heaters for the workplace, see Best Heaters for the Industrial Workplace. 

2. HEAD WARE

Even if the rest of your body is well protected, if your head is uncovered you’ll lose lots of body heat. Head ware is inexpensive, easy to buy and one size fits most. Some good options here are beanies, face masks and head liners. The PIP® 365-1520FR-BK Hard Hat Tube Liner, for example, provides full coverage to keep the face and neck protected from wind and cold conditions. It’s comfortable to wear and stretches to fit snuggly over most hard hats. 

3. GLOVES

Keeping hands warm is the most essential piece to overall comfort while working. There are many gloves that are designed specifically for industrial work in cold elements. The Memphis 3601KXL Premium Grade General Purpose Gloves are an excellent choice for those who work in cold storage or cold weather. These premium grade goatskin leather gloves feature the strongest tensile strength and excellent tactile sensitivity, providing both flexibility and comfort.

For additional questions about space heaters, cold weather gloves and cold weather head ware sold by BlackHawk Industrial, give us a call. We’re happy to help. Our mission is to provide innovative, value-added services and products that reduce our customer’s total cost. Feel free to contact us for more information

BlackHawk Industrial

1501 SW Expressway Drive

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74012

[email protected]