NEW WARMING GEAR

As smarter approaches to winter work continue to evolve, so does awareness to the causes and dangers of cold-related illnesses. Technological advances in work gear are helping to level the playing field, too. From heat-boosting balaclavas to sure-footed ice traction, here’s a head-to-toe look at how to dress for the deep freeze.

They say you should only worry about stuff you can control. If you’re a safety supervisor, weather is one thing you can’t control—but you can control your crews’ shift schedules. Often overlooked, it’s an easy way to mitigate the side effects of working in a cold environment.

Just because weather patterns are unpredictable and cold may be constant doesn’t mean worker illnesses, injuries and fatalities have to be as well. Coupled with the right controls and proper personal protective equipment (PPE), this number can be reduced to a familiar wintertime temperature: zero.