Cold Weather PPE Standards Explained

When temperatures drop, the risks go up. 

Do more than just hand out fleece jackets this winter - the wrong cold weather PPE can put your team at risk.

To keep them safe, warm, and focused, opt for compliant and fit-for-purpose workwear.

It’s the law: 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?

Don’t worry, this guide covers:

• EN 511:2006 for gloves
• EN 342:2017 for clothing
• EN ISO 20345:2011 for safety footwear

Plus: 

• What the ratings mean
• How to choose compliant gear
• Why cold weather PPE matters

WHY DOES COLD WEATHER PPE MATTER?

Your team, compliance, and productivity are at serious risk without the right winter appropriate gear.

Here’s why: 

THE COST OF GETTING IT WRONG

Lack of appropriate clothing 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.

WHO NEEDS COLD WEATHER PPE?

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

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

WHAT THE LAW SAYS

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.

EN 342:2017 - CLOTHING FOR COLD ENVIRONMENTS

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 gear is essential for safety, comfort, and legal compliance.

Look for workwear 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 342:2017 RATINGS EXPLAINED

TEST	WHAT IT MEASURES	RATING SCALE
Thermal insulation (Icler)	Heat retention of the clothing	Decimal value, e.g., 0.310 - higher means warmer
Air permeability	Resistance to air passing through the fabric	Class 1 to 3 - with 3 offering the best windproofing
Water resistance	Protection against water penetration (optional)	Class 0 or 1 - with 1 meaning water resistant

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

Explore our full range of EN 342:2017 certified jackets and bodywarmers to find the right PPE for your team.

Not sure which cold weather attire is right for your team?

Call us on 0330 441 3500 or drop us a message.

EN 511:2006 - GLOVES FOR COLD CONDITIONS

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

TEST	WHAT IT MEASURES	RATING SCALE
Convective cold resistance	Protects against cold air circulation	0-4, with 4 giving the best protection
Contact cold resistance	Protects against cold surfaces	0-4, with 4 giving the best protection
Water penetration	Resistance to water for 30 minutes	0 or 1, with 1 meaning water resistant

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.

  

EN ISO 20345:2011 - COLD WEATHER SAFETY FOOTWEAR

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

That’s where EN ISO 20345:2011 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 - Water-resistant materials
• CI - Cold insulation tested to -17°C
• S3 - Water-resistant plus an anti-penetration sole
• SRC - Slip resistance on ceramic and steel surfaces

ISO 20345:2011 RATINGS EXPLAINED

MARKING	MEANING
CI	Boots keep feet at 10°C or warmer after 30 minutes in -17 °C conditions
WR	Water-resistant
S3	Water-resistant with anti-penetration sole
SRC	Slip-resistant on ceramic and steel surfaces

DID YOU KNOW? SMI stocks a full range of EN ISO 20345:2011 cold weather boots.

Explore the full range here, or check out our complete guide to EN ISO 20345 for a deeper breakdown. 

WINTER PPE GUIDE: WHAT TO LOOK FOR

The right cold weather PPE depends on:

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

WHAT MATTERS MOST

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 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 
• Helmet liners or snoods
• Warm hats and headwear
• 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 COLD WEATHER PARTNER WITH SMI

At SMI, we make choosing the right winter PPE 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 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.