Just because you’re working doesn’t mean you can’t be comfortable. Even workers that carry out manual jobs, like warehouse staff, should be comfortable during their shifts. We’ve put together a few tips to make sure you’re as satisfied as possible. Here’s how to make your warehouse uniform as comfortable as possible.
Being Comfortable in Your Warehouse Uniform
3. The Items You Provide Yourself
It can be frustrating to have to wear a uniform while you work. The clothes have probably been part of a mass order and you have to hope they’re comfortable to wear. There are some steps you can take to make it a little easier to wear.
1. Clean and Fresh
Putting on a uniform that isn’t fresh and still smells like yesterday’s shift is disheartening and can put you in a bad mood before you’ve even set off for work. A clean uniform is a good way to start the day and helps you give a professional first impression to any visitors that are onsite.
2. The Right Size
When ordering new uniform, there often isn’t much opportunity to try on different sizes to see which best suits you. They also don’t take into account any changes to your body that might impact the clothing size you need.
Wearing clothes that are too big or too small is uncomfortable and can make you unhappy at work. If your uniform isn’t the right size, then speak to the management team and ask them to order replacements. If possible, ask to try samples or talk to colleagues about the sizes they wear.
3. The Items You Provide Yourself
Although you might be required to wear a certain coat or pair of trousers, other aspects of your uniform could be up to you to sort out. Whatever they are, make sure they’re comfortable, durable and well-fitting.
If you’re only given guidelines on what to wear, then take time to find the right ones that suit you. Don’t compromise on quality just to find a cheaper deal. You’ll be wearing these clothes for long periods of time so they need to be comfortable.
4. High-Quality Safety Shoes
The shoes you wear is probably up to you. There might be rules that say they need to be black and they need to be professional-looking, but then the choice is yours.
Finding the right pair of work shoes is essential as the wrong pair can lead to blisters, aches and injuries. As tempting as it is, don’t look for a pair based on their price. If you buy cheap, then you’ll have to deal with poor-quality shoes that don’t offer protection and need to be replaced sooner rather than later.
A good pair of shoes can be the difference between a happy and comfortable shift or a miserable, painful one.
Tips on Finding the Right Pair of Work Shoes
If you’re new to warehouse work and you’re not sure which pair of shoes is right for you, then it can be difficult to know what to look for. Here are a few key features that you should make sure your next work shoes have.
Protective Toecaps
Warehouses can be hazardous even when all safety procedures are followed. Heavy items and high racks are a dangerous combination and you need to be aware of falling objects. Look for shoes with steel toe caps as they’ll protect your feet by absorbing the impact.
Non-Slip Materials
Shoes that are non-slip are more likely to keep you on your feet no matter the surface. Even if you work outside or in wet areas, shoes with non-slip outsoles prevent you from falling. Look for a pair with a tapered outsole as they can also prevent you from tripping over during the busiest of shifts.
Certified
There are different certificates that shoes can be awarded if they pass certain EU safety regulations. If a pair of shoes doesn’t have these certificates, then you can’t be certain that they’ll protect you from falling objects or keep you on your feet when it’s slippery.
Support
Without the right kind of arch support, you can quickly develop serious joint problems. When searching for a pair of safety shoes, consider the materials used and the support they’ll give to your feet. They need to be supportive and be able to keep your feet stable as you move around the warehouse.
We recommend Advance81, the ultimate safety shoe for warehouse workers. CE and S1 certified, this shoe features steel toes to protect your feet and clog-resistant tapered outsoles to minimise the risk of tripping.
Download our Warehouse Safety eBook
Being comfortable in your warehouse uniform is just one of the steps you can take to make sure your working experience is a good one. Everyone should be safe at work and it’s the responsibility of both managers and staff to make sure the right procedures are in place.
If you’re worried about the safety of workers in your warehouse, then download our free eBook. It’s filled with key questions to consider about your workplace to see if it’s safe for all workers and visitors. Download your free copy now using the link below.