Outdoor work can take many different forms, and each industry has different considerations to keep in mind to help keep their staff safe and injury-free when carrying out their job.
We’ve put together this guide to help you create the best company workwear possible for your staff when working outside.
Meeting the needs of your specific industry
Under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1922, any risk of the job that can’t be controlled or eliminated through alternative measures needs to have Personal Protective Equipment provided. These regulations require that your PPE is:
- Fit for purpose
- Maintained and stored properly
- Provided with instructions for safe use
- Correctly used by employees
This tends to mean that the essentials for your uniform will be informed by your risk assessments. For example, if you work in construction, you will be required to provide high visibility clothing, head protection, and safety boots, all of which should be durable enough to stand up to the rigours of a construction site.
In contrast with construction, a large-scale gardening business, for example, may not have to provide the same level of protective equipment to their staff. Comfort and ease of movement could be the main considerations, while you instead provide some thick gloves to protect your staffs’ hands from thorns, with added goggles and face masks if you spray any pesticide chemicals.
Professional attire whatever the weather
You should keep in mind that a uniform doesn’t have to contain the same elements throughout the entire year. If you’re a business that operates outside at all times of the year, then your staff are going to be exposed to both extremes in temperature, and the potential for snow or rain.
Because of that, you could try to provide additional layers or variants on your uniform that will help your staff deal with the weather during any work day in any weather.
You could do this by providing cropped trousers or shorts for the hotter periods alongside a light polo shirt incorporating wicking technology to help keep them cool, comfortable and dry.
During colder periods, provide long sleeve shirts as standard, with the option to add a thick fleece or waterproof jacket depending on how extreme the weather has been. Similarly, during rainier periods, you should endeavour to provide working shoes that have sturdier soles and a better grip, which will help to reduce the risk of slips or falls, keeping your staff safe and injury-free during the harshest of weather.
Helping you put together a uniform that works for your business
Whichever industry you work in it will have its own specific requirements and considerations to bear in mind when you’re putting together your uniform. You need to be certain that your uniform is up to the task no matter what you need it to withstand.
At Simon Jersey, we are proud to provide workwear that it always up to the task no matter what industry you’re in. Our range of clothing and uniforms is:
- Tested for everyday practicality – We test our fabrics to ensure they provide durability and day-to-day comfort
- Made with expert knowledge – We have 45 years’ experience providing brand-enhancing workwear of all shapes and sizes
- Easy to care for – Most of our garments are machine washable and made to last
To find out more about the range of uniform pieces we have on offer to you for any weather or environment, take a look at our Outerwear page. Alternatively, send us a request for a catalogue or get in touch with a member of our team.
