In some of the world’s toughest jobs, having the right gear is absolutely critical. It not only impacts your comfort levels or your ability to do your job – it could even save your life.
Outdoor workers industries such as fishing, forestry, construction and agriculture face hazardous
conditions on a daily basis. They battle everything from freezing temperatures and storms to drenching rain and even sudden heat waves. And they often work in isolated or remote parts of the world, exposed to the elements.
You can’t do anything about the weather when there’s a job to be done. But you can suit up in seriously heavy duty waterproof workwear, choosing specialist kit that is tailor-made for tough jobs. Get the right fit, and you can improve safety, comfort and productivity across the board.
Below, we’ll take a look at the demands of some of the toughest industries on the planet, along
with the workwear solutions that are up to the challenge.
Fishing
The main challenges for marine professionals to overcome include:
- Saltwater exposure, which can erode standard fabrics
- Exposure to fish oil, engine oil, cleaning chemicals and other hazardous substances
- Freezing cold winds
- Wet, slippery decks
Heavy duty material can deal with many of these issues. For example, our Crew 654 Fishing Bib and Brace Pants are made from 650gsm PVC – which is the toughest you can get. It’s fully waterproof, oil resistant and withstands well against saltwater corrosion.
You’ll want to pair an item like this with a heavy duty jacket, one with plenty of insulation and
welded seams to keep out the wind. And of course, a pair of sturdy boots with the best grip you
can find, to keep you upright on slippery decks even in rough seas.
Forestry
Forestry workers face a whole different set of hurdles. These include:
- Frequent heavy rain
- Working in dense brush, which can easily tear standard fabrics
- Long hours in remote areas, with potentially treacherous terrain
The gear required for this kind of work needs to be easy to move in, and fully waterproof yet breathable. It should also be tough enough to withstand spiky, rough vegetation.
Our Stormtex 248G Midweight PVC Commercial Rain Gear Jacket is a great choice for forestry work. Made of tough 480gsm waterproof PVC, it features raglan sleeves and elastic cuffs for full and free arm movement. Handily, it’s also a bright colour so you can be seen by your colleagues even in dense woods or across distances.
Construction
If you work in construction, you’re likely to face the following challenges on a daily basis:
- Prolonged outdoor exposure
- Sudden weather changes
- Mud, mud and more mud
So a solid set of heavy duty waterproof workwear is a must. The Crew 255 PVC Rain Jacket is a popular choice among construction crews, as is the Stormtex-Air 203 Wet Weather Jacket.
Both meet PPE and health and safety requirements, thanks to their protective qualities and high vis designs. But they’re also warm, waterproof and breathable, with welded seams, handy pockets and hoods that can be adjusted to be work with helmets.
Agriculture
In the farming industry, there’s just as long a list of challenges to face. Some of the key ones for
outdoor work include:
- Waterlogged, muddy fields
- Shifts in temperature and changeable weather conditions
- Freezing cold early mornings
- Exposure to cleaning chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers.
When it comes to workwear for farming, freedom of movement and breathability is just as important as waterproofing and insulation. You need to stay warm and dry, but you have a lot of very physical work to get on with.
Layers could be the solution. We’d recommend our Stormtex 669HG Midweight Bib and Brace Pants paired with matching Stormtex 248G Midweight PVC Rain Jacket over the top.
Both are lightweight yet protective, easy to clean and made from 500gsm oil resistant PVC. You can also layer up on those frosty mornings, or remove layers when working in warmer conditions.