Keeping Cool With PPE Lightweight gear and clothing to protect from the sun and overheating By Jason Collins
Working in the tree care industry comes with risks of all kinds, especial- ly at such great heights. When you add the sweltering heat and humid condi- tions of summer, arborists may be at risk for heat-related illnesses. One of the simplest tips to prevent heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke is to move to someplace cool or shaded. The other part of the equation is having the right personal protective equipment (PPE) for hot weather. Ideally, this gear will both protect tree workers from the sun and keep them cool at the same time. However, in order to fight UVA and UVB rays, hot-weather PPE can oen be so thick and cumber- some that it is counterproductive, caus- ing the user to overheat instead. The happy medium is gear that pro- vides plenty of skin coverage while also being lightweight on the body. Here are some gear and clothing de- signed to keep you cool and comfort- able while at work. In addition to lightweight and breathable PPE, it's important to consider materials that wick moisture away from the body. Look for gear that incorporates mesh panels or moisture-wicking fabrics to maximize comfort.
SUN SLEEVES
VENTILATED GLOVES
Atlas FIT Summer Gloves
Solbari Sun Sleeves
Gloves are an important piece of PPE in tree care work, and even in hot weath- er, you are required to wear them. The great thing about gloves is that there are a wide variety of options designed for winter or summer. During hot weather, choose a pair of gloves made from a fabric that is venti- lated and breathable while still provid- ing adequate protection for your hands. The Atlas Fit Summer gloves are a great option because they’re made with a 10- cut poly cotton string knit seamless liner that keeps your hands cool with a specialized latex palm for added grip.
Wearing sun sleeves while working out in the hot sun is a great way of protect- ing your skin from harmful UV rays while still being breathable to prevent overheating. Choose a pair of sun sleeves that come with a UPF rating of 50+, which can be doubled up with sunscreen for added protection. You can sport sun sleeves that stop at your upper arms or sleeves that go up to your shoulders for more protection. When picking your pair of sun sleeves, you’ll want to choose a light color, as darker colors will attract the heat.
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