7/10/2025 1:19:09 PM

Keeping Your Team Cool & Comfortable

When the heat’s turned up—whether on the job site, in the kitchen, or behind the wheel—your team needs more than just grit. They need workwear that breathes with them, moves with them, and helps them stay cool, confident, and focused. Because staying comfortable isn’t a luxury—it’s a must.

The Real Risks of Heat Stress

Heat stress isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s dangerous. It hits when the body can’t cool itself fast enough, leading to serious issues like fatigue, heat rash, cramps, heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke.

And it’s more common than you might think. Between 2011 and 2019, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reportedover 30,000 workers reported heat-related illnesses or injuries, and 344 lost their lives—many in industries where high heat is just part of the day. The actual number could be even higher, as some workers hesitate to speak up for fear of pushback or lost shifts.

OSHA and several states have started taking action, creating stricter heat safety guidelines. But there’s a lot you can do right now—starting with what your team wears.

Where Heat Hits the Hardest

High temps impact all kinds of industries. Here’s where staying cool matters most:

• Outdoor workers (like construction crews and landscapers) face long hours in direct sun with physical demands that can quickly lead to dehydration and overheating.
• Delivery and transportation teams deal with hot vehicles, intense sunlight, and the physical grind of loading and unloading. With little airflow, these jobs can heat up fast.
• Kitchen and food service staff spend their shifts surrounded by ovens, grills, and hot surfaces. Many traditional chef jackets and uniforms just don’t cut it when it comes to breathability or airflow.
• Manufacturing and industrial workers work near heat-intensive machinery, furnaces, and processing equipment that drive up both the temperature and the risk of heat stress.

Uniforms That Help Beat the Heat

The right workwear can do a lot more than look sharp—it can help your team stay safe and focused through the hottest days.

Look for these features that help cool things down:

• Moisture-wicking fabrics to pull sweat away and keep skin dry
• Lightweight materials that let air in without sacrificing durability
• Strategic design details like mesh panels, underarm vents, gussets, and cooling zones that work with the body’s natural heat patterns

When you give your team uniforms built for airflow and movement, you’re not just protecting them—you’re helping them feel good in their gear. And when they feel good, they perform even better.

Cool = Comfortable = Confident

Comfort does more than boost morale—it drives performance. When workers are cool and dry, they’re more alert, focused, and in control. On the flip side, extreme heat can impair judgment, reduce energy, and make simple tasks feel harder.

The right uniform isn’t just a layer of clothing—it’s a tool for safety, productivity, and self-expression. Breathable fabrics and smart design keep workers looking polished and feeling fresh, no matter how hot it gets.

Temp-iQ®: Smarter Cooling from the Inside Out

For next-level cooling, Dickies Temp-iQ® workwear goes a step further. It uses a body-heat-activated polymer finish that works with the way we naturally regulate temperature.

Here’s how it works:

• As your body heats up, the Temp-iQ finish activates, shifting from liquid to solid to help speed up evaporation and release excess heat.
• Once cooling is complete, the finish deactivates, helping to maintain a comfortable temperature.
• The result? A consistent, cooling effect that keeps your team feeling balanced and focused—all shift long.

It’s science that works in sync with your team.

Stay Cool with Dickies

Build a uniform program that doesn’t just work—it works smart. With body-responsive technology like Temp-iQ,moisture-wicking fabrics, and lightweight designs from collections like WorkTech, Dickies helps your team stay cool, feel good, and show up with confidence.Style. Performance. Comfort. Let’s build a workwear program that brings it all together.