Workwear: advice from Michele Montagna

Often, when people talk about workwear, they think of office outfits, the prime impression given if they are to meet a client, and hardly ever stop to think about those who work on construction sites or in workshops.

Butworkwear for those who work on construction sites,mechanic 's workwear and electrician's workwear, just to name a few professions, must meet protection and safety requirements that intervene not only on performance but also on the perception of tranquility and consequent concentration while working.

We addressed this topic in an interview with Dr. Michele Montagna.

How do you choose the right work clothes and safety shoes for your profession?
What features should never be lacking?

U-Power is a reference point for workers who want to equip themselves with personal protective equipment in search of safety and protection. Technical clothing that goes through strict criteria of material selection, design and testing to offer maximum support and guaranteed performance even in adverse conditions.

Let's see with Michele Montagna what ideal workwear looks like in Total Look U-Power.

1. WORKWEAR: HOW TO CHOOSE, WHAT FEATURES?




2. ATOM: HIGH-TECH WORK PANTS




3. U-POWER IS TECHNICAL WORK JACKET, T-SHIRTS, SWEATSHIRTS AND MUCH MORE




4. WORK SAFETY SHOES AND SOCKS: PROTECTION, COMFORT AND FOOT HEALTH

Let's delve deeper into this topic in the interview with Michele Montagna.

WORKWEAR: HOW TO CHOOSE, WHAT FEATURES?

Editorial staff

"Good morning Michele, thank you for this interview with which we want to address the topic ofworkwear, safety and comfort for the worker."

Michele

"Thank you for this opportunity to highlight the importance of work clothing and the protective, safety and comfort features necessary for worker protection."

Editorial staff

""Worker Protection," the topic is broad; and you as a Lecturer in Ergonomics, Prevention and Treatment of Musculoskeletal Disorders at Work and Certified Health Trainer and Safety at Work, as well as a Kinesiologist and Posturologist, can certainly give our readers the right adviceon how to make an informed choice of their PPE and work clothes.
What are the features that should never be missed?"

Michele

"The first piece of advice is to choose clothing suitable for your work: soft, warm, breathable and able to provide freedom of movement while taking into consideration ergonomics and the work environment.
And, of course, work shoes in the safety rating suitable foryour duties and for the right working conditions.
In addition, it is important to choose technical clothing because it is designed with protection in mind with a focus on materials, functionality, and meeting requirements and testing to ensure high performance even in the most difficult conditions.
If workers feel comfortable in the clothing they wear, they will be able to have a focus and concentration on work that will make them more aware and alert to potential risk factors in the short, medium, and long term.
Choosing technologically advanced workwear means moving toward safety from potential harmful events, including those of an emotional nature.
That's why choosing U-Power work shoes and workwear is a guarantee, because the technologies used precisely meet specific requirements in terms of ergonomics."

ATOM: HIGH-TECH WORK PANTS

Editorial staff

"Michele, you are so right: a well-equipped worker works better and safer, preserving his well-being, present and future.
How about some examples in Total Look U-Power?"

Michele

"Let's start with the pants and talk about the ATOM style .
These work pants use U-4 way stretch, a technology designed against the intolerance of uncomfortable, uncomfortable and risky work postures, with a soft and comfortable semi-elastic fabricthat moves in all 4 directions at the same time and provides full freedom of movement, even in difficult conditions such as, for example, when handling loads.
But even kneeling, climbing, bending and performing all those movements that overload the knees day in and day out is no longer a problem with U-4 technology. U-4 Way stretch, helps reduce muscle contractures and hardening of the connective-fibrous bands that particularly involve the joints.
In fact, U-4 technology, ensures a physical functionality that, inevitably, also involves the psychological sphere, with greater concentration and attention and, therefore, more efficiency, resistance to physical exertion, reduction of risk factors related to injuries and, at the same time, an improvement in peripheral circulation, both during work and during vehicular travel."

Editor

"So, the elasticity of the fabric in the four directions is a feature that can make a big difference, and you have explained well why. But what can you say about the functionality and practicality of ATOM pants ?"

Michele

"The fit and functionality are optimized because of so many details :

• Water-repellent, breathable and quick-dryingfabric ;




• Waist adjustment with concealed elastic, yoke;




• Accentuated back yoke for added comfort;




• 2 pockets for knee pads;




• 2 zippered pockets at side pocket and right front pocket;




• Multifunctional pocket with concealed badge holder;




• 2 largefront pockets;




• 2 back pockets, including one with flap and one with Velcro closure.

In addition, there are 600D Poly-oxford reinforcements in the areas most subject to wear and tear stress and a softer weave in the back knee area to promote circulation-friendly leg bends.
In short, ATOM is a perfect example of high-tech work pants that fully meets the needs of movement, comfort and functionality."

U-POWER IS TECHNICAL WORK JACKET, T-SHIRTS, SWEATSHIRTS AND MORE

Editorial staff

"And as for the upper body, what suggestions can you give for ideal workwear in Total Look U-Power?"

Michele

"For the torso and upper body, I recommend layered clothing so that the worker can indulge his or her sense of well-being depending on excess heat or changing temperatures from performing a task indoors to an outdoor work environment.
So, I recommend wearing a T-Shirt, such as , ALIEN, a long sleeve, 100% cottonT-Shirt with slim fit, ideal as an under sweater or under jacket.

Then, you cannot miss a comfortable work sweatshirt, such as JUPITER, a zippered sweatshirt with an adjustable hood that offers protection from external sales reps such as vento, rain and humidity. The two slant-cut pockets are a feature of the design that panders to an ergonomic fit that respects physiological ranges/assortments.

And finally, the jacket.An ergonomic work jacket is ideal for all professional activities that take place outdoors and must be breathable, windproof, and water-repellent.
The SPOCKjacket is an extremely versatile hybrid jacket, with quilted down on the chest and nylon and microfleece inner lining that is well suited for both cold and medium-temperate environments. It is the ideal jacket for those categories of workers who perform dynamic work and need good freedom of movement of arms, shoulders and back.
The hood, then-fixed and adjustable-is a detail no outdoor worker can do without, because the head and neck are primarily responsible for heat loss.
Keeping the head protected from the vento and the cold, when necessary, reduces the lowering of body temperature and, as a result, also reduces the work of the metabolism to generate heat, saving calories consumed.
Finally, SPOCK, thanks to its numerous pockets-five total-allows you to carry tools, keys, cell phone and various accessories, keeping your hands free and working safely."

WORK SAFETY SHOES AND SOCKS: PROTECTION, COMFORT AND FOOT HEALTH

Editorial staff

"How do we complete our ideal workwear in Total Look U-Power?"

Michele

"We complete it with one of the most important PPE for worker safety: safety shoes, which, of course, must be chosen in the safety rating appropriate to one's duties and in consideration of the work environment.
But here, too, technology offers great input and can make a big difference in terms of ergonomics and worker safety.
And today, based on my own testing, I am suggesting a real powerhouse of technology: the RYDERfootwear from the RED 360 range/assortment .

There are threemajor innovations in these safety shoes:

• The anti-shock, waterproof and breathable heel pad located under the heel that promotes stabilization and safety of the foot, counteracting the stress caused by small impacts and pressures;




• The collar with Lycra® fiber fabric, which wraps the foot 360° in the sub-malleolar portion conferring greater comfort during flexion-extension of the foot. A soft and elastic collar to benefit ankle mobility;




• The ergonomic front andreareyelets that provide an easy fit and allow the shoe to be put on quickly and easily.

And then, of course, the Infinergy®insert for energy recovery and the high-grip tread we have already mentioned in a previous interview. The WOWfootbed - an ergonomic insole with self-molding properties - also ensures optimal distribution of body weight and, therefore, biomechanical load on the foot and joints, resulting in greater comfort and safety."

Editorial staff

"How important are work socks in the overall ideal workwear?"

Michele

"Work socks are very important and have a great influence on the well-being and health of the foot. Unfortunately, they are often underestimated but, in reality they also contribute to safety and the perception of comfort and thermoregulation.
Giadysocks , for example, use "Memory size" technology that allows the sock to adapt to the shape of the foot while maintaining it over time.
This makes the sock feel like a glove, while the special cotton weight ensures a cushioning effect and reduces the risk of blisters and irritation on the sole of the foot, toes and heel.
Work shoes appropriate to the seasonality, material and technology used, together with the breathability of the inner lining of the shoe - WingTex air tunnel - and the characteristics of the upper of the shoe being worn - in the case of the ryder shoe , a soft suede upper with ultra-breathablenylon inserts - define the perception of warmth and thermoregulation resulting in foot health."

Editorial staff

"Michele, thank you for giving us an insight into workwear from an ergonomic point of view with an eye also on the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders at work, and for the valuable advice provided."

U-Power: prevention, health and safety of the worker.