Working on a construction site comes with its fair share of risks. While most factory or construction-site related risks are often associated with the use of heavy equipment and falls, high temperature or heat-related emergencies should also be a point of concern for site managers. As a result, all construction sites need cooling mechanisms to keep workers safe during the summer or extremely high-temperature conditions.
The best cooling gear options for construction workers should reduce heat stress by a considerable amount. Some of the most common gear for cooling workers include cooling vests, cooling sleeves, cooling towels (and bandanas), spot coolers, misting systems, cooling helmets, and pop-up canopies.
Besides discussing some of the best cooling gear options for factory and construction workers, the article will also examine each product’s pros and cons. The in-depth information should help you bring in the best cooling products to keep your workers cool and safe enough during construction.
Helmets
Helmets are must-have personal protective equipment for all construction workers. However, not all helmets are ideal for heat reduction and cooling. Heat reducing helmets are aimed to provide both protection from injury and excessive heat. Below are some of the best helmets for keeping construction workers cool.
Pyramex Ridgeline Full Brim Hard Hat
Constructed from high-quality ABS material, this construction helmet is both strong and lightweight for comfortable wearing. The Pyramex Ridgeline Hard Hat features a ratchet suspension that is easy to adjust and modify to fit the head dimensions of different workers.
This highly convenient helmet is ideal for both low (-22°F or -30°C) and high temperatures (140°F or 60°C). For increased comfort, the hat has a low-profile ridgeline that allows for a natural and more secure fit. The product also features a washable and easily replaceable sweatband, a conveniently vented pressure pad, and an adjustable rear suspension for ultimate comfort.
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Lohaswork Safety Hard Hat
The Lohaswork Safety Hard Hat boasts a vented shell that allows for better cooling when working on hot summer afternoons. For improved performance and protection from impact, the hat is made from high-quality ABS material.
You’ll love the one-finger adjustment design that makes it easier to customize the size for a perfect fit. There is also a large-enough gap between the cap liner and cap shell, which provides better head protection than most other helmets.
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Gateway Vented Safety Helmet
The Gateway Vented Safety Helmet has a sleek, streamlined, snake-head-like design that increases comfort and convenience. The presence of a vented shell means workers can stay cool when working on hot sunny days.The product satisfies ANSI Z89 standards for reverse donning, high-visibility, and lower temperature, making it appropriate for use on the construction site. The presence of nylon suspension (six-strap) allows for increased comfort and impact absorption simultaneously.
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3M SecureFit Safety Helmet
This helmet is among the toughest in the market and is ideal for high-temperature environments due to its vented design. The 3M SecureFit Safety Helmet features a unique pressure diffusion technology that reduces forehead pressure by up to 20%.You’ll also love the 6-point, easy turning, and smooth ratchet suspension that sits low on the user’s head, thus allowing for a customizable fit. The presence of back and side vents means the air will circulate effectively across the hat.
This capable helmet also stands out due to its UV indicator that notifies the wearer when it needs replacement due to its inability to shut out UV rays.
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Defender Safety Helmet Hard Hat
The Defender Safety Helmet scores high in terms of quality and durability. The presence of a sliding vent system allows for smooth cooling in extra hot conditions and easy closure of the vents in case of rain.
In terms of the ability to accommodate accessories, not too many construction helmets compared to this highly capable hat. You can easily attach a visor, headlamp, or earmuff at the attachment points.
The EPS foam on the inside provides extra impact strength, while the chin cup and chinstrap help to hold the helmet safely in position. Additionally, the sweatband is designed to absorb sweat, which consequently prevents sweat from trickling.
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Vests
Similar to helmets, vests are must-have gear in factory and construction settings. Besides enhancing visibility, some vests are designed to help construction workers keep cool despite working in hot conditions. Below are some of the best construction vests for cooling.
FlexiFreeze Ice Vest
The FlexiFreeze Ice Vest is a great way to keep construction workers cool when working in scorching conditions. The vest can accommodate an impressive 96 ice cubes, which is integral in reducing the overall core temperature.
This handy construction vest is made from rip-stop and neoprene materials, which helps to reduce its overall weight. The ice panels are easy-to-remove and can be machine washed. Users can easily remove panels and swap them out for cooler ones when looking to remain cool for long periods.
Due to its ability to stay cool for long, the FlexiFreeze Ice Vest is a great option for construction workers with heat-sensitive conditions or people working in areas associated with heat stress.
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New Home Innovations Cooling Vest
The New Home Innovations Cooling Vest is designed to reduce overall skin temperature while maintaining a favorable core temperature. This vest also helps to reduce sweating and delay dehydration, thus promoting effective working.
The product also comes with highly absorbent cool packs made from a super absorbent polymer and gel. These cooling packs help keep construction workers cooler for longer, thus making the vest ideal for high-temperature environments.
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Ergodyne Chill Evaporative Cooling Vest
The Ergodyne Chill Evaporative Cooling Vest is made from polymer-embedded fabric that maintains low temperature when soaked in cold water for under five minutes. All it takes is a re-soak, and the jacket will leave the workers cool for longer.
For enhanced performance, the cooling vest is made from a quilted nylon exterior while the liner is water-repellant, allowing for ease of wearing above a shirt. The product also features mesh side panels that enhance the wearer’s mobility and improve overall breathability.
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Alphacool Original Cooling Ice Vest
The Alphacool Original Cooling Ice Vest is filled with Alphacool gel (water-based and non-hazardous). The ice cooling vest is capable of managing up to 2 hours of cooling. Its lightweight nature and ease of use make it ideal for construction workers working in extremely hot conditions.The presence of the adjustable shoulder and wrist straps makes the gel ideal for different-sized people. Its slim but wide profile also allows for instant core cooling, which is crucial for people with heat-related medical conditions like heat strokes, heat cramps, and hot flashes.
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FLY Racing Cooling Vest With Evaporative Cooling Technology
This cooling vest made by Fly Racing features a polymer-embedded fabric that absorbs water and provides a cooling effect as the water evaporates slowly. The vest only needs two minutes of soaking before it’s ready for use.
While not meant specifically for construction work, this vest can provide the much-required cooling when worn inside protective construction gear. You won’t need an ice pack or batteries to use this lightweight vest, making it convenient for usage in busy construction sites.
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Hyperkewl Evaporative Cooling Vest
The Hyperkewl Evaporative Cooling Vest is made from both Hyperkewl and nylon fabric, which allows for proper cooling throughout the day. This construction jacket comes in different sizes and colors, making it ideal for different sized construction workers.
The use of Hyperkewl fabric allows the vest to keep the wearer cool for up to 10 hours, while the full zipper keeps it attached to the body. All it needs is a gentle soak, and it’ll keep wearers cool for extended periods.
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Cooling Accessories
Ergodyne Chill Evaporative Cooling Towel
Erdogyne uses PVA material in manufacturing this towel to provide instant cooling relief. All it takes is a gentle soak for the towel to keep the user cool for several hours. The towel works by providing a cooling sensation once the PVA material absorbs water.
This product can come in handy in construction setups, more so in extremely hot construction sites. For drip-free cooling, it’s best advised to wring out the excess water, but soaking the towel for a minute or two is enough to provide a cooling sensation for up to 4 hours.
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Chill Pal Mesh Cooling Towel
The Chill Pal Mesh Cooling Towel is designed to provide extended periods of cooling. The towel employs a thin, comfy, and highly breathable design to keep the wearer cool. The use of mesh allows for increased comfort due to its softness and gentleness on the skin.
The towel covers a large surface area, giving you increased evaporative power to exploit. Users will need to soak the towel for a couple of minutes and wring it out before placing it on the neck or forehead. This product comes with its carry pouch for ease of mobility.
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Skull Cap Helmet Liner
Made from 89% polyester and 11% Spandex, this helmet liner is designed to eliminate issues of soaked sweat in helmets. The Skull Cap Helmet Liner is highly breathable and easy to wash, features that make it ideal for daily use in construction settings.
Construction workers who wear this helmet liner experience functional cooling immediately when they put it on. The immediate cooling results from the product’s moisture-activated cooling fabric. Using this skull cap regularly also protects your head from harmful UVA and UVB rays.
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Portable Outdoor Misting System
The Portable Outdoor Misting System by Ergodyne is among the most effective in the business. This bad boy can cool an area up to 14°C (57°F) below the ambient temperature, thus providing the required cooling for construction workers on hot afternoons.
This pump can manage an impressive 20 minutes of misting, and the continuous hose connection ensures the cooling effect is well-distributed across the cooling area. The pump is high-performance, while the heavy-duty plastic tank has an easy-to-remove funnel for smooth refilling.
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Yeti Tundra Cooler
This cooler by Yeti has a capacity of up to 26 cans and can keep ice cool thanks to its unique Permafrost Insulation. The Yeti Tundra Cooler boasts a rotomolded construction that makes it stronger and less likely to break.
This cooler is highly portable, making it ideal for use by construction workers looking to carry their cooler packs. The latches are extra secure as they use a heavy-duty rubber, thus eliminating the risks of busted latches.
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Conclusion
The importance of keeping construction workers cool enough cannot be overstated, especially when working during the summer. This is because most of the protective gear is usually thick and made from heavy materials that trap excessive heat underneath, thus increasing the risk of heat stress.
Luckily, there are several cooling options that are fit for use in construction sites, as discussed in the above article. From jackets to helmets, misters, and even towels, there is a wide variety of cooling gear that can help keep construction workers cool and effective regardless of the heat.
