How to Stay Cool in a Tyvek Suit

Explore this Article

methods

1Lowering Your Body Temperature

2Taking Breaks to Cool Down

3Changing Your Work Habits

Other Sections

Tips and Warnings

Related Articles

References

Wearing a Tyvek suit keeps you safe when you’re cleaning up or working in a hazardous site. However, the thick fabric that protects you can also make you feel overheated. Fortunately, you don’t have to feel like you’re working inside an oven anymore. With a few adjustments to your work day, you can cool down and feel more comfortable.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Lowering Your Body Temperature

1. 
   1
   Wear a damp shirt under your Tyvek suit to cool your body. Having wet fabric against your skin helps maintain a lower body temperature. While it may feel a bit uncomfortable at first, you’ll start to feel better after you start working. Wet your shirt with cool water, then wring out the excess water. Put the damp clothes on right before you put on your Tyvek suit.

   • Consider bringing your damp shirt with you to your work site so you don’t have to wear it when you’re not wearing your Tyvek suit. This also ensures you’ll have a dry shirt to change back into when you’re finished with work.
2. 
   2
   Pick light-weight, cotton underclothing so heat doesn’t get trapped. Heavy clothes will prevent air from circulating around your skin and will trap heat against your body. Instead, wear something that feels lightweight and is made of cotton. This way your clothes will be able to breathe.

   • If you wear denim for pants, try to find a light-weight denim that doesn’t make you feel too hot. Additionally, choose a relaxed fit that lets your skin breathe.
   Advertisement
3. 
   3
   Put on a cooling vest under your suit to lower your body temperature. Get a disposable cooling vest if you don’t use your Tyvek suit often. If you regularly wear your suit, invest in a reusable vest that has pockets for ice packs. Wear the cooling vest under your Tyvek suit to help you stay cool all day.

   • Cooling vests are made to cool you down without getting your skin too cold.
4. 
   4
   Mist your face and neck with cool water when you feel hot. Water will cool you down quickly, so spray yourself when you start to feel hot. Use a spray bottle or misting fan to spritz your face and neck. As the water evaporates, it’ll cool you down.

   • You’ll likely need to leave your work site to mist yourself since you’ll need to remove your face mask. You might make a habit of always misting your face while you’re on a break.
5. 
   5
   Set up a fan to cool you down if you can. Placing a fan in your work area will lower the temperature and help you feel cooler. Put your fan as close to you as possible without compromising your work. If you’re working in a large space, get multiple fans to help you stay cool.

   • For instance, you might set up several box fans around a construction site.

   Variation: When you’re working outdoors, use a portable, personal fan to cool down quickly on your breaks.

   Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Taking Breaks to Cool Down

1. 
   1
   Drink 5 to 7  fl oz (150 to 210 mL) of water every 15 minutes. Staying hydrated will cool you down and prevent you from accidentally overheating. Continually drink water as you work so you don’t accidentally become dehydrated. To say cool, take a brief water break every 15 minutes and aim to drink 5 to 7  fl oz (150 to 210 mL) each time.

   • Don’t wait until you feel thirsty to drink water. If you’re feeling thirsty, you may already be dehydrated.

   Warning: Stick to water and sugar-free sports drinks while you’re working. Caffeine and sugar can act as diuretics, so they might dehydrate you.
2. 
   2
   Take a 15-minute break in a cool, shady area every hour. When you’re working, your body temperature naturally rises. Give yourself a chance to cool down by resting in a cool spot, like the shade of a tree or inside an air conditioned building. Rest for about 15 minutes every hour.

   • When you can, take your break in a place that’s air conditioned or where there’s a fan. This will help you cool down faster.
3. 
   3
   Remove your protective gear while on breaks when possible. Heat can build up inside your suit, especially when you wear it for a while. Taking all or part of it off will help you cool down quickly. While you're on a break, open up your Tyvek suit to allow air to circulate around you and cool you down.

   • Don’t take off your protective gear when you’re around hazardous materials. Only take it off if you’ve moved to a safe location.
   Advertisement

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Changing Your Work Habits

1. 
   1
   Perform taxing work during the early morning or late-afternoon. Typically, the hottest part of the day is from noon to 3:00 p.m. Working hard during this time will quickly overheat you. Instead, do hard tasks in the morning and late-afternoon hours so you’re less likely to overheat.

   • Schedule your day so you know which tasks need to get done at what time. This will help you stay on top of your work without having to risk getting too hot.
2. 
   2
   Slow down your pace when you start to feel hot. Trying to work too fast will quickly overheat you. However, you probably don’t want to ruin your productivity levels by working too slowly. Monitor how you feel so you can work as fast as possible without getting too hot. When you feel hot, slow yourself down.
3. 
   3
   Work in an air conditioned space when it’s possible. You likely don’t have a choice about your work environment. If you do, set up your work space in an area that’s air conditioned. This will help you stay as cool as possible.

   • For instance, you might cut wood in an air-conditioned shop.
   Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Tips

• Combine multiple methods of keeping yourself cool for best results.
  Thanks

  Helpful1Not Helpful0

Advertisement

Warnings

• While your Tyvek suit keeps you safe, it can also increase your risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. If you have a headache, dizziness, fainting, moist skin, irritability, vomiting, upset stomach, and confusion, you may be experiencing heat exhaustion. If your skin is dry and hot, you feel confused or pass out, or you have a seizure, get emergency care because you might be having a heat stroke.
  Thanks

  Helpful1Not Helpful0

Advertisement