When on the job site, construction workers must be kept safe in terms of both clothing and gear. Furthermore, when you do a job that is physically demanding and requires a great deal of movement, you need something durable and tough. In creating a construction worker uniform, we considered both safety and longevity.
Six Construction Worker Uniform Items That Are Tough
There are six items that every construction worker must wear. We have composed a list of the best of the best when it comes to gear. We’ve included both men’s and women’s items whenever applicable.
Safety Glasses
Safety glasses must be worn any time you are working with construction materials. They need to be used in the following situations:
- Sawdust exposure
- Using construction equipment
- Mixing cement
- Welding
- Cutting/mounting materials
- Grinding/sanding
- Using circular saw/woodchipper/chainsaw
- Nailing
The risk of not wearing safety glasses is great and exposes the eyes to a vast array of potential dangers. By not wearing them, your eyes can become irritated or infected, permanently altered by chemicals or concrete splashes, and injured or scratched by foreign objects. As a result, you may go blind or lose an eye due to injury.
Therefore, wearing the proper safety glasses is very important. Furthermore, they shouldn’t just be safe, but they should also contain proper ventilation, not fog up, and be scratch-resistant. They should also be suited for the job at hand.
Basic Protection: Pyramex Highlander
These glasses will protect you in hot work environments, offer a scratch-free lens, and are created for basic construction. They will protect the eyes from airborne particles and offer UVA protection.
Best Overall: DEWALT Safety Goggles
These glasses are the best overall when it comes to providing high levels of protection when using mechanical tools like chainsaws, grinding, sanding, etc. Ventilation channels ensure the glasses are both breathable and comfortable to wear. They are also anti-fog and anti-scratch.
Best for Welding: Miller Electric
If you are welding, these glasses are very sturdy and scratch-resistant. They provide superior coverage from any sparks or debris.
Hard Hats
Hard hats protect construction workers from electric shock, penetration, and impact. At the very least, it saves the wearer from bruises and cuts. On the severe side, it will prevent head injuries resulting in long-term disability or death.
For many sites, hard hats are a legal requirement. Yet distinguishing between the various classes, comfort, and materials, as well as choosing the best one, can be challenging.
The best hard hat overall is the Pyramex Ridgeline full brim safety hat. It is the most popular model, providing high safety levels. It has Type 1, Class C, G, and E ratings, with an operating temperature range of -22° to 140°F. The durable AB shell contains a four-point suspension with a brow pad that is replaceable.
Knee Pads
Anyone with a physical job that involves a great deal of kneeling on the ground requires knee pads. Kneeling on the ground for prolonged periods is hard on the bones and skin, especially when it is on hard surfaces. To protect the knees from wear and tear, construction workers may need to wear knee pads.
Best Overall: NoCry Knee Pads
These are the perfect blend of versatility and heavy-duty construction. Tough plastic faces are built to withstand prolonged periods of kneeling on gravel or concrete floors. The inner gel lining and neoprene straps cushion the bones and skin from the friction that comes with prolonged kneeling.
With these knee pads, there is a product disclaimer that a design flaw may exist, causing the attachment bracket to become dislodged. They can be reattached, which is fine for any low-risk activity. However, you may not want to opt for these knee pads if wearing them is mandatory for your job site.
Close Second: Recoil
For prolonged contact or high impact, you may want to invest in these knee pads. They are great for indoor jobs where they will not mark up any new floors. With a rubberized anti-slip, anti-marking covering, they will enable you to stay secure and avoid marking up floors.
Behind the pad is a six-coil spring technology. This moves with the knee and cushions it. ReCoil knee pads are a perfect choice if your knees are more delicate.
Face Masks/Respirators
On a construction site, air quality is very important. This is especially true if you are cutting concrete or installing sand. There are numerous times on a site when there are airborne particles around us, and our lungs need to be fully protected to prevent problems down the road.
There are laws in place that ensure each worker has proper safety gear, especially when there is a high exposure to dust particles. Construction workers are exposed to different dust variations like lead, wood, and silica.
Even a small exposure to silica dust can cause a serious disease known as silicosis. Silicosis is a progressive lung disease that creates thickening and scarring of lung tissue, COPD, kidney disease, and lung cancer.
When choosing a dust mask, you need to find one that is appropriate for your job site. Our recommendation is for dust particles rather than chemicals or oil-based particles. If you are in an area where you will be highly exposed to them, you may want to consider a different type of mask.
The best types of masks are the following, and they work well providing that they are worn properly. We have selected one that is disposable, as well as one reusable mask.
Best Reusable: 3M Half-Face Quick Latch
3M is a leader in the face mask industry in everything they create. The company has continually invested in upgrading PPE, and this mask is a half-face respirator that can be reused.
When it comes to filtering particles, it has a 99% efficiency rate. It is both stable and durable, providing a snug fit due to the textured silicone seal. The seal is nice and soft, providing less irritation on sensitive skin.
The quick latch is great for putting the mask on and off, allowing for rapid removal. The straps are also fully adjustable, so they can fit any sized face. The drop-down allows the respirator to be repositioned and removed without taking off your hard hat, eye protection, or face shield.
Due to the cool flow valve design, moisture and exhaling flow downward so your eyewear won’t fog. It reduces heat and moisture that can sometimes build up in the mask. The adjustable harness makes wearing it comfortable which is a bonus if you work long shifts. This mask is also designed to be used with 3M cartridges and filters.
Best Disposable Mask: 3M Disposable Respirator
This mask guarantees 95% efficiency when it comes to protecting you from airborne particles that are not oil-based.
Like the one mentioned previously, it has the 3M Cool Flow Value reducing fog and heat build-up if you are wearing safety glasses. It has an adjustable nose clip creating a secure customizable seal while reducing any pressure points on the face. This is an N95 respirator.
Work Gloves
Gloves protect construction workers from injuring themselves on sharp edges on metal, certain woods, and glass. A high-quality work glove will keep your hands dry and warm during cold and wet conditions throughout the year.
Gloves are available in several designs with a range of features. Some are comfortable for warmer weather, while others are ideal for winter.
Best Overall: Showa Atlas
Showa Atlas creates one of the best-selling work gloves available. They are designed to handle tough work environments. These gloves contain a rubber palm coat, providing the best grip while resisting abrasions and punctures. They are perfect for carpentry, landscaping, concrete, masonry, construction, roofing, and woodworking.
The 370 Nitrile glove has a thin design, making it ideal for warmer conditions. They allow workers to properly feel what they are doing while they work. The nylon knit makes them comfortable enough to wear for long hours and will last longer compared to typical rubber gloves. They will resist tearing and are very flexible.
These gloves are ideal for landscaping, roofing, construction, mechanical, and assembly work. They come in a range of sizes, ranging from small to extra-extra-large.
For oily job sites, the Ventulus 380 Nitrile Foam Coated Gloves will handle the grimiest job. They have a flexible design accompanied by a tight grip so users can handle rough, hard objects in addition to ones with grease. These gloves contain nylon liner, waffle grips, and elastic cuffs.
In a cold environment, you may want to consider the Thermal–Fit 300. They contain a poly/cotton lining that is warm for the winter. Rubber palms provide extra strength in demanding job sites.
Tool Belt
Tool belts keep construction workers working efficiently and conveniently by placing the tools they use most at their fingertips. When wearing a tool belt, construction workers not only want something convenient but require a belt that holds all their essentials, and is well organized, comfortable, and secure.
Best Overall: Bucket Boss Mullet Buster Tool Belt
This is not your traditional tool belt. By taking a more modular approach, Bucket Boss loaded this belt with ample opportunities for storage, beginning with three bags that easily attach to your belt.
The bags have additional clips, pockets, and dividers, creating greater efficiency to store everything you need on the site. Padded suspenders balance the weight of the belt, thereby reducing strain and fatigue and allowing for enough stretch without any slipping or sagging.
Suspenders and bags can be removed, if you wish, or loaded up. The chest strap is adjustable and connects to the suspenders for additional support and stability. It will protect your back from injury. The pouches are reinforced and contain a barrel bottom, allowing you to place larger tools in them. There is even a spot for your smartphone.
The belt will fit a waist size up to 52 inches. It contains a steel buckle and grommets.
Best Large Tool Belt: TR Industrial 12 Multi-Function Belt
This belt has enough space to carry everything you need to complete a long project. It is perfect for multi-day projects or large worksites where you may need to reduce the number of times that the toolbox is visited.
Pockets can hold hammers, cordless drills, screwdrivers, and additional common tools that are frequently used. The two-inch durable webbing handles the additional weight of the tools, making them highly comfortable. Primary pockets can be positioned around your belt, allowing the user to easily adjust placement to their own specifications.
Best Traditional: DEWALT Small Electrician’s Pouch
If you enjoy a traditional tool belt, this will give you the most room. It contains a large, central body divided into pockets, allowing for easy positioning of your tools. The primary pocket can contain large tools like electrical tape or flashlights. It can be kept to the side to prevent it from becoming cumbersome or placed out in front for easier access to your tools.
There are several loops and sleeve pockets to put around your main bag. Loops easily hold large hand tools while smaller pockets can hold nuts and bolts.
Final Thoughts
These are six of the best construction worker uniform items available. These items are outside of the regular requirements of work pants, boots, and shirts. They outline the necessities that most workers will require on the job and take into consideration various job sites.
Not all construction jobs are outdoors, which can range from paving work, landscaping, or roofing. Inside, there are various construction jobs as well. Each sector has its own unique needs and requirements when it comes to uniform items. Some will require protective gear against dust particles. Others may require the user to handle grease or oily materials.
Each worker will require their own level of protection when conducting each job. We have provided you with the best items to outfit your construction worker uniform.
