Yes, much of your life as a truck driver is spent in the relative comfort of a heated cab.
But, there often are times when you have to leave your truck and be outside, maybe securing a load or just walking to and from a truck stop restaurant for a meal. Even if you are in the cold briefly, it pays to dress properly.
The federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration – the much-maligned OSHA – offers a few cold weather clothing tips that make sense. Adjust accordingly to your situation, location and the work you do.
OSHA suggests:
- Wear at least three layers of loose fitting clothing. Layering provides better insulation.
- An inner layer of wool, silk or synthetic (polypropylene) to keep moisture away from the body. Thermal wear, wool, silk or polypropylene, inner layers of clothing that will hold more body heat than cotton.
- A middle layer of wool or synthetic to provide insulation even when wet.
- An outer layer to protect against wind and rain but that allows some ventilation to prevent overheating.
- Tight clothing reduces blood circulation. Warm blood needs to be circulated to the extremities. Insulated coat/jacket (water resistant if necessary)
- Knit mask to cover face and mouth (if needed)
- Hat that will cover your ears as well. Hats reduce the amount of body heat that escapes from your head, and will keep your entire body warm.
- Insulated gloves (water resistant if necessary)
- Insulated and waterproof boots
