What is construction wear called?

Author：HAIYUAN TIME：2025-09-11Read：

The term you're looking for is an umbrella term that covers several categories. Here’s a clear breakdown of what construction clothing is called.

The Umbrella Term: Workwear or PPE

The broadest term for clothing designed for manual labor, including construction, is Workwear. However, because the primary function is safety, much of it falls under the more specific category of:
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). This is the technical term for gear worn to minimize exposure to hazards.

Breakdown of Specific Construction Wear Categories

Here’s how different types of construction clothing are categorized:

1. By Garment Type (The "What")

These are the specific items of clothing:

Work Pants / Trousers: Durable pants made from canvas, denim, or ripstop fabric, often with reinforced knees and tool pockets.
Work Shirts: Typically long-sleeved, made from tough cotton or polyester-cotton blends for abrasion resistance. Often in hi-vis colors.
Bib Overalls (or Dungarees): The one-piece garment with a bib and shoulder straps.
Coveralls (or Boiler Suits): The full-body, one-piece jumpsuit.
High-Visibility Clothing (Hi-Vis): Vests, jackets, or shirts in fluorescent yellow-orange with reflective tape. ANSI Class 2 or 3 is standard for roadwork and sites with equipment.
Flame-Resistant (FR) Clothing: Shirts, pants, and coveralls treated to be self-extinguishing for workers exposed to electrical arc flash or welding.

2. By Function (The "Why")

This describes the clothing's purpose:

Hi-Vis / High-Visibility Apparel: For being seen.
FR / Flame-Resistant Apparel: For protection from fire and electrical hazards.
Waterproof / Weatherproof Gear: For protection against rain, snow, and wind.
Insulated Gear: For cold weather work.
Rainsuits: A waterproof jacket and pants set for wet conditions.

3. By Standardization (The "How Safe")

This is the most critical category for safety. Garments are certified to meet specific safety standards:

ANSI/ISEA 107: The U.S. standard for High-Visibility clothing.
ASTM F1506: The standard for Flame-Resistant apparel for electrical workers.
ASTM F1891: The standard for Rainwear.
NFPA 2112: The standard for FR garments against flash fires.

Summary Table: What to Call It

If you are talking about...	It is most accurately called...	Examples
The general category of clothes	Workwear or PPE	"I need to buy new workwear for the job."
Pants and shirts for construction	Work Pants, Work Shirts, or Durable Work Clothing	"These work pants have knee pad pockets."
The bib-and-brace style garment	Bib Overalls, Overalls, or Dungarees	"My bib overalls are full of tools."
The full-body jumpsuit	Coveralls or Boiler Suit	"I wear white coveralls for painting."
Clothing to be seen in	Hi-Vis or High-Visibility Apparel	"Grab your hi-vis vest before going on site."
Clothing that won't catch fire	FR Clothing or Flame-Resistant Gear	"All electricians must wear FR clothing."

What to Look For When Buying

When shopping for construction wear, you're not just buying clothes—you're buying safety gear. Always look for:

Durable Materials: Cotton duck canvas, denim, ripstop polyester.
Reinforcements: Double-layered knees, triple-stitched seams, riveted stress points.
Safety Certifications: Tags that show it meets ANSI, ASTM, or NFPA standards.
Functionality: The right pockets, loops, and fit for your specific trade.

In short: while the most common general term is Workwear, the most accurate term from a safety perspective is PPE. The specific name of each item depends on its design and purpose.

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