Winter conditions can sometimes be extreme, making outdoor work quickly arduous. UPower offers a wide range of workwear for winter conditions to provide maximum comfort, protection, and safety for workers.
Practical guide to the 3-layer system and the EN 14058 standard
On a construction site in winter, the cold isn't just a matter of comfort. Working exposed to wind, humidity, and sub-zero temperatures without proper equipment increases the risk of physical fatigue, loss of concentration, and accidents. However, applying a few simple principles is all it takes to work efficiently in all weather conditions, without overloading yourself.
The 3-layer system: the foundation of any winter work outfit
The three-layer system is the most effective way to manage body heat in cold and damp conditions. Each layer fulfills a specific and distinct role. The common mistake is to opt for a single thick garment, thinking it will suffice: without moisture management or intermediate insulation, the result is often the opposite of what is desired.
First layer: technical underwear: wick away moisture, not insulate
The first layer is in direct contact with the skin. Its role is not to insulate but to wick away perspiration to keep the skin dry. Water conducts heat 25 times faster than air: therefore, damp skin cools down much more quickly than dry skin.
Forget cotton, which retains moisture. Opt instead for technical synthetic fabrics or anti-fatigue fibers like those used in Curma UPower thermal underwear , designed for working outdoors in extreme cold. Lightweight and breathable, it can be worn all day without discomfort.
2nd layer: the insulating layer: to retain heat
The second layer traps the warm air produced by your body and forms a thermal shield. This is where fleece jackets, quilted vests, or technical sweaters come in. It must remain breathable to avoid trapping moisture rising from the first layer.
A softshell sleeveless vest lined with microfleece perfectly fulfills this role while leaving the arms free for technical tasks on the construction site.
3rd layer: outer protection to block cold, wind and rain
The outer layer is your shield against the elements: rain, snow, and icy wind. It must be waterproof, windproof, and breathable all at once. A jacket that blocks everything but allows perspiration to escape creates a sauna effect that cools the body through evaporation as soon as you stop.
Softshell work jackets equipped with the U-Tex membrane (thermoplastic polyurethane) meet these three requirements. Compliant with EN 14058, they offer certified thermal protection down to -5°C.
The EN 14058 standard: what it really guarantees
When a manufacturer displays the EN 14058 standard on its cold-weather protective clothing, it doesn't simply mean that the garment "keeps you warm." This European certification evaluates the garment according to four precise and independent performance criteria, represented by a five-digit code on the label.
The 4 criteria of the EN 14058 standard explained
Thermal resistance (Rct) — rated from 1 to 4: measures the fabric's ability to retain body heat. A class 4 garment offers the highest level of insulation, suitable for construction sites exposed to harsh winter conditions.
Air permeability (AP) — rated from 1 to 3: assesses wind protection. Class 3 corresponds to an effective windproof garment, essential on construction sites exposed to gusts of wind.
Overall thermal insulation (Icler): mandatory for waterproof or thermal class 4 clothing. It measures the thermal performance of the garment worn under real-world conditions.
Water penetration resistance (WP): A garment marked WP has been tested and approved for resistance to rain. An X indicates that this test has not been carried out.
EN 14058 or EN 342: which one to choose depending on the conditions?
The EN 14058 standard covers moderately cold environments, meaning temperatures above -5°C combined with humidity or wind. It is the certification suitable for the vast majority of winter construction sites in France.
The more demanding EN 342 standard applies to extremely cold environments below -5°C. It is particularly recommended for work in high mountain areas or industrial cold storage facilities. If you are working on sites in flatlands or urban areas, the EN 14058 standard is sufficient and suitable in almost all cases.
Complete the outfit: the accessories that make all the difference
A good three-layer system isn't enough if the extremities aren't protected. The head, hands, and feet are the first areas affected by the cold because the body naturally reduces blood flow to the extremities to conserve heat for vital organs.
Feet: lined boots or insulated safety shoes?
Safety footwear is mandatory on a construction site. In winter, opt for a high-top model that is waterproof and insulates against the cold ground. Lined safety boots with insulating soles, such as the Alaska or Taiga UPower models, offer genuine thermal protection while meeting current safety standards.
Hands and head: don't neglect these areas
A hat or balaclava worn under the helmet significantly reduces heat loss from the head. Appropriate work gloves, waterproof and thin enough not to hinder dexterity, complete the outfit. Carry a spare pair in case your gloves get wet.
Visibility on construction sites in winter: a legal requirement not to be overlooked
In winter, the days get shorter, the sky is often overcast, and visibility deteriorates by midday. On an outdoor construction site, this reduced visibility significantly increases the risk of accidents, particularly those involving construction equipment or traffic. Wearing high-visibility clothing is not just a good practice; it is often a legal requirement.
Why winter makes visibility even more critical
In summer, natural light provides a minimum level of visibility for machine operators and other workers. In winter, the combination of short days, fog, rain, and gray skies drastically reduces the distance at which a worker can be seen. A worker in dark clothing can become completely invisible at less than 30 meters in these conditions. High-visibility clothing, combining fluorescent fabric during the day and retroreflective strips at night, significantly reduces this risk.
The EN ISO 20471 standard: the 3 protection classes
The European standard EN ISO 20471 defines three classes of protection according to the minimum surface area of fluorescent fabric and retroreflective strips present on the garment:
Class 1 — minimum protection: suitable for low-risk environments (warehouses, pedestrian areas). Not recommended for outdoor construction sites exposed to traffic.
Class 2 — Intermediate protection: mandatory for worksites on public roads up to 50 km/h. This is the most common level on construction, roadworks, and utility network sites. Particularly recommended in winter for work carried out at the end of the day or in low light conditions.
Class 3 — maximum protection: required on construction sites near highways or motorways. It guarantees 360° visibility thanks to retroreflective strips positioned on the torso, shoulders, sleeves and legs.
Combining thermal protection and high visibility
In winter, the challenge is to reconcile two imperatives: staying warm and remaining visible. The UPower range offers clothing designed to meet both requirements simultaneously. The 3-in-1 high-visibility parkas (Backer model), the high-visibility waterproof softshell jackets (Miky model), and the fluorescent waterproof jackets (Crafty model) combine EN 14058 certified thermal protection with EN ISO 20471 class 2 or 3 compliance.
Discover our full range of professional high-visibility clothing to equip your teams in full compliance.
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