Things to Look for When Buying Workwear for Utility Workers

Posted by Firstahl on March 24th, 2021

Utility workers have one of the most demanding jobs around. They are responsible for maintaining and operating gas, electric, and water systems, all of which are notorious for creating a multitude of life-threatening hazards — gas leaks, fires, floods, and whatnot.

With such a tough nature of the job arises the need for wearing safety apparel by every utility worker. That said, it can be challenging to decide which workwear would suit a specific job role of a worker and whether they will need to buy high visibility apparel for the night or not.

In this article, we have mentioned some important things to look for when buying workwear for utility workers. Let’s check them out:

High Visibility

Utility workers are required to wear apparel that meets ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 standards, which states that workers should wear high visibility clothing to enhance their visibility in low light conditions to prevent hazards.

The high-visibility workwear should feature ANSI standard high-performance reflective tape and high-visibility colors. However, in some cases, non-ANSI high-visibility clothes may be appropriate as well.

Durable Construction

For utility workers, it’s of the utmost importance to buy high-quality workwear that is built to stand the test of weather, harsh conditions, and even safety hazards. So, make sure to invest in clothes made from sturdy fabrics, feature bound seams, and are backed by reinforced stitching.

Pockets

Since utility workers need to carry everyday tools and materials to the job, their workwear should comprise pockets durable enough to hold the tools efficiently. The apparel should have at least two pants pockets, two front chest pockets, and a side pocket.

Also, when choosing a safety vest with multiple pockets, make sure the pockets come with secure closures such as hook and loop patches or zippers.

Flame Resistance

Utility workwear should be flame-resistant (FR) to protect workers from catching fire when subject to high heat. In some countries, some standards must be met for clothing to be regarded as fire-resistant.

Breathability

Since utilizing workers spend most of the time outdoors, their clothing must be breathable, featuring mesh construction and vented areas to keep the workers cool in hot conditions.

Flexibility

Often, utility workwear includes built-in flexibility patches to offer extra movement ability to the wearer. So, whether you are buying high visibility apparel for the night online or a fire-resistant vest, make sure it provides optimal flexibility to you.

In a nutshell

It’s no secret that utility workers have one of the dangerous jobs, putting their life at risk. But utility companies and staff managers can make their job easy and ensure their safety at the job site by providing them with much-needed safety equipment and workwear.

Author’s bio: The author is a blogger and this article is about things to look for when buying workwear for utility workers.