Warehouses are easy-going workplaces where clothing is concerned. However, for your safety and comfort, you should choose warehouse work clothes that suit the conditions and temperature while keeping in mind the physical exertion you’ll experience in your warehouse job Safety and comfort should be your overriding concerns when selecting warehouse attire. In this article, we’ll explain how to choose warehouse work clothes and discuss some underlying principles for dressing to keep safe, comfortable, and warm (but not too warm) in any warehouse.
Warehouse Attire: General Dress Code Guidelines
The best warehouse attire is similar to what you would wear for other manual labor jobs. Let’s start with appropriate clothing for ambient temperature warehouses, which are not chilled or frozen. They can be warm or cold, depending on the season.
Pants
Warehouse workers often wear work pants, jeans, or sweatpants. Shorts are popular in ambient temperature warehouses in the summer, but they shouldn’t be too short. Cargo-style shorts are fine, but baggy, gym, or very short shorts are not.
Upper Body
For the upper body, you can wear work shirts, t-shirts, and sweatshirts. However, you may want to consider layering, as discussed in the next section.
Shoes
You must wear closed shoes: no open-toe shoes, sandals, or similar. OSHA regulations require warehouse workers to wear protective footwear like steel-toe boots to protect their feet from injuries. Dot Foods offers an allowance and often on-site purchasing options for your footwear. Make sure your boots or shoes fit well and are comfortable. You can be on your feet for many hours during a warehouse shift, and depending on your role, you may walk a considerable distance. Well-made, correctly fitting shoes can drastically improve your comfort and fatigue resistance.
Dressing in Layers for Your Warehouse Job
Dressing in layers involves wearing multiple layers instead of one or two thick layers. It’s helpful to think of your warehouse work clothes as having three layers.
Base Layer
The base layer sits closest to your skin. Its main job is to wick away sweat and moisture, keeping you dry. Materials like polyester, nylon, or merino wool are excellent for base layers because they are breathable and have moisture-wicking properties. Cotton, wool, and denim are not suitable base-layer fabrics because they absorb sweat instead of wicking it away from your skin. When wet, they lose their insulating properties, which is not ideal during a strenuous shift in a cold warehouse.
Middle Layer
The middle layer acts as the insulating layer. It traps heat to keep you warm. Fleece or wool sweaters and lightweight down jackets are common middle layers that provide warmth without being bulky.
Outer Layer
The outermost layer protects you from the external environment. It should be tough enough to withstand wear and tear. A durable work jacket, freezer coat, or shell layer can be an effective outer layer. Dressing in layers has several advantages for warehouse workers. Your physical exertion and the environmental temperature can change throughout the day, and a layered approach is comfortable and adaptable.
Improved insulation and temperature control: By trapping air between layers, you create better insulation. You can add or remove layers to adjust to the temperature and your level of activity, giving you control over your comfort.
Moisture management: The base layer’s moisture-wicking properties, combined with breathable upper layers, help to keep you dry. This is crucial in a warehouse where you move between different tasks and temperatures.
Adaptability: Layers allow you to adapt your clothing throughout the day without changing your whole warehouse outfit. Remember, the key to effective layering is choosing the right materials and fit for each layer. The layers should work together to keep you dry, warm, and protected.
What to Wear in the Freezer Warehouse
The layering technique works well on freezer warehouse shifts, but sub-zero temperatures demand additional precautions. At Dot Foods, we provide protective gear, including bibs, coats, and gloves, but you may want to modify your warehouse attire with clothes designed to keep you warm and dry in the cold. Thermal underwear makes an effective base layer for freezer environments. Thermal pants help to trap a layer of warm, insulating air. Consider wearing a hat or hood: you lose lots of heat through your head. You’ll be standing on a cold floor, so we recommend getting thick, insulated socks. Learn more about working in a freezer warehouse.
The Best Shoes for Working in a Warehouse
Choosing the right shoes for warehouse work is crucial for safety and comfort. You must wear protective footwear that shields your feet from heavy objects, sharp items, and other hazards commonly found in a warehouse environment. When selecting warehouse shoes, look for the following features.
Slip-resistant soles prevent falls on slippery surfaces.
Durable materials like high-quality leather or synthetic materials offer longevity and protection.
Good arch support and cushioning reduce foot fatigue during long shifts.
Adequate coverage ensures shoes or boots fully cover and protect your feet. Steel-toe cap boots and sneakers are popular due to their strength and durability. However, in a frozen warehouse, steel conducts cold, leading to discomfort or even frostbite in extreme conditions. Composite toe boots are a suitable alternative. They are made from non-metallic materials like Kevlar, carbon fiber, or plastic, which protect without the thermal conductivity of steel. They won’t transfer cold temperatures to your feet as steel-toe boots would.
What Should You Not Wear to a Warehouse Job?
Safety and practicality should always come first when dressing for a warehouse job. Certain types of clothing can pose safety risks or hinder your ability to work efficiently. Let’s finish with a few tips on clothes that shouldn’t be part of your warehouse outfit.
Loose Clothing
Clothes hanging loosely from your body can get caught in machinery, boxes, or shelving, leading to accidents or injuries. Instead, opt for well-fitting garments without excess fabric that allow easy movement.
Scarves or Ties
Like loose clothing, scarves and ties can become entangled in machinery or equipment. It’s safer to wear clothing that stays close to your body and doesn’t have parts that can dangle or be pulled.
Open-Toed or Light Shoes
Footwear that exposes your feet or is made from thin materials can leave you vulnerable to injuries from falling objects or punctures. Always wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes with protective features suitable for warehouse work.
Light-Colored Clothing
While not a safety concern, light-colored clothing shows dirt, stains, and wear more easily than darker or more muted tones. Warehouses can be dusty places, and light colors may require more frequent washing or may not look professional for long. Opt for darker colors that conceal dirt and maintain a neat appearance throughout your shift.