PPE Standards for Cold Weather Gear: EN 342, EN 511, and EN 20345

When it gets cold at work, the risks go up.

Compliant cold-weather gear will help keep your team safe, warm, and focused in a cold workplace.

It’s also a legal requirement. Employers must protect workers who are exposed to cold, wet, or freezing conditions.

But with so many PPE options and standards, where do you start?

This guide covers:

• EN 511 for gloves
• EN 342 for clothing
• ISO 20345 for safety footwear

Plus, we’ll look at what the ratings mean, how to choose compliant gear, and why cold-weather PPE matters.

WHY DOES COLD WEATHER GEAR MATTER?

Your team, compliance, and productivity are at serious risk if you’re dealing with the cold at work without the appropriate gear.

Here’s why:

THE COST OF GETTING IT WRONG

Lack of appropriate cold-weather gear can lead to:

• Frostbite
• Numbness
• Hypothermia
• Poor circulation
• Permanent tissue damage

Plus, it can cause:

• More accidents from poor focus.
• Lost time through illness and injury.
• Potential fines or legal action from non-compliance.

WHAT THE LAW SAYS ABOUT WORKING IN A COLD WORKPLACE

The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (PPER) are clear.

Employers must provide suitable cold-weather PPE for anyone working in cold or freezing environments (indoors or outdoors) for long periods.

This includes:

• Thermal gloves
• Cold-rated clothing
• Insulated safety footwear

Employers must also:

• Assess cold risks on site
• Maintain and replace PPE
• Train teams on how to use it
• Supply PPE that fits and meets EN standards

WHO NEEDS COLD WEATHER PPE?

Anyone working in cold, wet, or freezing conditions needs the proper cold weather gear.

Think cold storage workers and teams working in windy, wet, or winter conditions.

This includes roles in:

• Construction
• Waste and recycling
• Emergency services
• Utilities and infrastructure
• Outdoor and grounds maintenance
• Cold storage and chilled environments

EN 342:2017 - WINTER WORKWEAR

When temperatures drop below -5°C, the wrong clothing can put your team at risk.

EN 342:2017 is the international standard for PPE designed to protect workers in cold conditions. Choosing compliant, tested cold weather gear is essential for safety, comfort, and legal compliance.

Look for winter workwear clothing marked with EN 342:2017 ratings like 0.310, 2, 1, which show how well the clothing protects against cold, wind, and water.

WHAT EN 342:2017 COVERS

Clothing certified under EN 342:2017 is tested for:

• Thermal insulation - how well it keeps in body heat.
• Air permeability - how effectively it blocks wind and cold air.
• Water penetration resistance - optional protection against water penetration.

These tests make sure your team stays warm, dry, and protected in harsh conditions.

EN 342 RATINGS EXPLAINED

EXAMPLE: A workwear winter jacket rated EN 342:2017 0.310, 2, 1 provides good insulation, solid wind protection, and water resistance.

Each value demonstrates the jacket’s performance in each test, in the order provided.

Explore our full range of EN 342-certified clothing to find the right PPE for your team.

EN 511:2006 - WINTER WORKWEAR GLOVES

Cold hands aren’t just uncomfortable. They slow your team down and increase risk.

EN 511:2006 is the European safety standard for gloves that protect against extreme cold.

Gloves certified to EN 511:2006 are tested to protect against:

• Water penetration
• Convective cold (cold air circulation)
• Contact cold (touching cold surfaces)

WHY REGULAR GLOVES AREN’T ENOUGH

Standard gloves aren’t designed for freezing conditions.

EN 511:2006 rated gloves are tested to keep hands warm, dry, and flexible - even when handling cold surfaces or working in icy air.

Look for markings like EN 511:2006 2, 3, 1 to know the gloves meet the right protection levels.

EN 511:2006 RATINGS EXPLAINED

TOP TIP: Choose gloves with higher EN 511:2006 ratings if there’s a risk of frostbite or long-term exposure to freezing conditions.

Explore our full range of EN 511:2006 rated thermal gloves to keep your workforce protected.

ISO 20345:2022+A1:2024 - COLD WEATHER SAFETY FOOTWEAR

Cold feet are unsafe feet. Safety footwear needs to do more than protect against impact – it must also keep feet warm, dry, and stable in freezing conditions.

That’s where EN ISO 20345:2022+A1:2024 comes in.

It’s the international standard for safety boots that combine cold weather protection with the core features of compliant footwear.

What to look for:

• WR - whole shoe is waterproof
• WPA - the shoe is water-resistant
• CI - cold insulation tested to -17°C
• SR- slip-resistant on ceramic tile floors with glycerol

When searching for waterproof safety footwear that provides a high level of protection, look for shoes classed S6 or S7.

S6 footwear provides whole-foot waterproof protection (WR) along with safety protection similar to S2. Meanwhile, S7 footwear provides whole-foot waterproof protection (WR) along with safety protection similar to S3.

ISO 20345:2022+A1:2024 RATINGS EXPLAINED

EXAMPLE: Footwear rated EN ISO 20345:2022+A1:2024 S7S CI SR combines waterproofing for the whole shoe with the highest level of safety protection (S7).

It also offers a non-metallic (composite or textile) puncture-resistant midsole (denoted by the ‘S’ after ‘S7’), cold protection, and slip resistance on ceramic tile floors with glycerol.

Want to learn more? Check out our complete guide to EN ISO 20345 for a deeper breakdown.

SHOP COMPLIANT COLD WEATHER SAFETY FOOTWEAR

At SMI, we stock a full range of compliant cold weather boots, as well as specially designed cold store safety footwear.

Browse our shop today to keep your workforce safe in low-temperature environments.

WINTER WORK GEAR: WHAT TO LOOK FOR

The right cold weather PPE for your team will depend on:

• Physical activity levels
• Length of exposure to the cold
• Wet, dry, or windy environments
• Indoor vs outdoor working conditions

WHAT MATTERS MOST WHEN DEALING WITH COLD AT WORK

Choose full-body, EN-rated protection, including:

• CI and WR-rated safety boots.
• Windproof and waterproof fabrics.
• Breathable, sweat-wicking materials.
• Insulated clothing, gloves, and boots.
• Layering options: base, mid, and outer shells.
• High collars, storm flaps, and adjustable hoods.
• Adjustable cuffs, hems, and zips to seal out cold.

DON’T FORGET LAYERS AND ACCESSORIES

Your team needs more than just jackets and boots to stay warm and focused in the cold.

Think layers and add:

• Thermal base layers
• Fleeces and softshells
• Warm hats and snoods
• Helmet liners or balaclavas
• Insulated socks and gloves

TOP TIP: Always choose accessories that meet EN standards. It’s the only way to be sure they’ll perform in extreme conditions.

Want more detail? Read our blog on cold weather challenges to help plan your PPE needs.

FIND YOUR WINTER PPE PARTNER WITH SMI

At SMI, we make choosing the right winter working gear simple.

Here’s what you can count on:

• 25K+ products available
• Inclusive sizing and eco-friendly options
• Comfortable, compliant gear for every role
• Custom catalogues tailored to your business
• Fast, reliable supply with 97% stock availability

We’re here to protect your teams, whatever the temperature.

Browse our coldstore workwear or explore the full range to find the right cold weather gear for your team.

Prefer a chat? Call us on 0330 441 3500. We’re happy to help!

FAQs

What are the best clothes to wear in cold weather?

Go for layered, insulated, breathable, and EN 342-certified clothing that’s fit for the job and environment.

What PPE is required for cold working?

If you or your team work in cold conditions for long periods, you need EN-rated:

• Safety boots
• Thermal gloves
• Cold weather clothing

Is it better to wear tight or loose clothes in cold weather?

Opt for loose layers that trap warm air and insulate for the best temperature control.

But avoid anything that restricts movement or puts teams at risk.