Electrician Uniforms: What To Wear, How To Choose & More

What is the Purpose of Wearing Electrician Uniforms?

The purpose of wearing electrical technician uniforms goes beyond meeting a work dress code. Workwear designed for the industry protects technicians, conveys expertise, and helps build brand identity.

Providing uniforms for your team ensures they have the gear they need to stay safe and work more efficiently. Trade-specific clothing features purpose-first designs with multiple pockets, reinforced structure, and sturdy, easy-to-clean material. 

Putting your company name and logo on clothing improves accountability from field technicians, as they represent their company and brand at every job. Brand uniforms are also vital to marketing, branding, and creating a professional reputation in your market.

However, uniforms are just one way to convey professionalism and branding. 

For example, ServiceTitan business management software helps techs elevate customer experience in the field with their field service app loaded with modern features such as GPS tech tracking and onsite payment collection. 

Learn how uniforms and software work together to improve on-site protection, professionalism, and branding—fueling lasting growth for electrical contractor businesses.

Protection

The primary purpose of uniforms and personal protective equipment (PPE) for technicians is to protect technicians in the field. Any workwear you provide to technicians should adhere to the OSHA mandates for electrical safety, such as: 

• Flame-resistant (FR) clothing that self-extinguishes

• Voltage-rated gloves insulated against shock and electrocution with leather protectors to prevent punctures and tears

• Materials with protection from heat exposure, such as Nomex and Indura cotton

• Footwear like hard-toe boots with puncture-proof outsoles and dielectric properties

• High-vis safety vests to prevent accidents with arc flash protection

• Class E hard hats that are tested for electrical applications and to safeguard electricians from job-site hazards such as falling debris and bumps

OSHA ensures that on-the-job electricians are protected from common hazards on the job site.

Professionalism

When electricians show up for appointments in uniform, it conveys industry expertise and instills customer confidence. You can empower your technicians to take job-site professionalism further with ServiceTitan customer service software. 

When team members have advanced technology at their fingertips with the Field Services app, they can:

• Send appointment reminders and technician bios by text message

• SMS messaging for customers to confirm, reschedule, and ask questions before appointments

ServiceTitan also uses GPS tracking to let customers view technician arrival times and see when unexpected traffic may delay their appointment time. Users can also provide web scheduling and website chat widgets to make it easy for customers to book jobs 24/7.

Combining uniforms with ServiceTitan software creates a united front of professionalism from electrical contractors' websites to the back office team members and technicians in the field.

Branding

Eye-catching uniforms, including button-down and polo shirts with company logos for the office team, strengthen a company’s brand identity. Back your branding efforts with ServiceTitan software to connect marketing with every customer interaction.

In the field, customers trust the technicians who show up in uniform with the company logo either embroidered or a screen print in company colors. 

The data-driven tools in ServiceTitan help electrical contractors target the ideal customers to optimize their marketing spend. This lets business owners understand campaign performance at a granular level with features such as:

• Unique phone numbers to track the ROI of different campaigns in real-time.

• Email marketing through ServiceTitan Marketing Pro for hyper-targeted and automated campaigns with messaging to drive results

Branding may not be top of mind in the day-to-day of running an electrical services company, but when you instill it into your daily operations, you create momentum for growth with every appointment booked.

What Do Electricians Wear?

Electrical workers wear anti-static and flame-resistant clothing to protect them against the potential dangers of the job. 

There are requirements by both OSHA and the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) to have provisions for electrician uniforms to ensure their clothing doesn’t create a new hazard on the job site. 

Dangers electricians face include:

• Hazardous chemicals

• Flammable gasses

• High-voltage electrical components

The proper clothing will prevent an electrical arc flash created by a spark by stopping the buildup of static electricity. Not all jobs require the same PPE, and the appropriate clothing depends on the type of work and level of risk. 

Regardless of the project, all electricians should wear clothing that is: 

• Not electrically conductive

• Nonflammable

• Loose-fitting

• Comfortable 

At every job site, technicians should have standard PPE on hand, including:

• Gloves

• Goggles

• Ear protection

Consider the following clothing to not only keep your team safe on the job, but also improve morale with comfortable, practical uniforms.

Work shirts

While T-shirts may be more comfortable in the summer, long-sleeve shirts will protect electricians’ arms. They’re easy to order in your company colors and print with brand logos.  

Fire-resistant (FR) shirts should fit close to the body to reduce arc flash while protecting technicians from electrical hazards and intense heat. 

Including sweatshirts in your company’s work uniform gives technicians layers to wear when weather changes.

Work pants

Require coveralls or work pants made from durable FR material to protect against arc flash and heat. Multiple pockets will help for storing tools and equipment.

Many work pants have reinforced knees for comfort and support on various job sites. 

Jackets

No matter where you’re located, providing technicians with branded flame-resistant jackets is a good idea. Attached hoods can add a layer of protection against cold and wind. 

Depending on your climate, insulated liners and water-resistant fabric may also be appropriate for your technician’s uniform. 

Adding high-visibility striping to outer layers ensures your team will be safe on any job site in all weather conditions.

Rubber-sole, steel-toed boots

Consult OSHA guidelines when requiring footwear for your electricians. Boots should protect against dangers from both electrical hazards and job-site risks such as crushing and punctures.

Electrician boots should have non-conductive rubber soles to insulate against shock. Require technicians in the field to wear boots with electrical hazard ratings that meet OSHA recommendations.

Eye protection

Proper eye protection is one of the most important pieces of PPE for technicians in the field and should be a required part of any electrician uniform. 

Individuals who wear corrective lenses can order prescription safety glasses that meet safety requirements and vision correction. 

For electricians, wrap-around safety glasses protect eyes from debris, sparks, and chemicals. Tinted lenses also reduce potential harm from glare and bright working conditions. 

Hard hat

Depending on your technicians’ jobs, you may require them to wear a hard hat—such as on construction sites. Standard hard hats protect the wearer against injury to the head and neck. Electrical class hard hats offer special protection, including:

• Class E: Electrical hard hats have a conductive surface to protect the wearer against electrocution if they come into contact with energized equipment. 

• Class C: Conductive hard hats create Faraday cages around the wearer’s head, so electrical current doesn’t come in contact with the body and protects the wearer when working with high-voltage equipment.

OSHA provides guidelines for the testing standards of Class C and E hard hats, which combine protection against electrical shock with safety in case of impact. 

Hearing protection

Hearing protection includes any physical barrier over the ear to protect against loud noises, like earmuffs or earplugs. 

Wearing ear protection in loud environments, even with power tools, ensures that technicians have their full hearing range long after leaving the industry. There’s a wide range of types of hearing protection to suit every job site:

• Passive designs such as earplugs are simply a physical barrier against noise

• Electronic earmuffs amplify voices while suppressing noise from machinery, ensuring communication on the job site

• Headsets guarantee clarity in conversation while protecting the wearer against hazardous noise 

When you combine branding, professionalism, and safety in your company uniform, you maximize their benefits to your technicians and brand.

What do electricians wear to protect from arc flash?

Every job site has a different Arc-Flash Hazard Analysis, according to OSHA. Including the following items with technician gear is critical to prepare them for whatever their day brings.

OSHA issues Hazard Risk Categories, which determine the clothing an electrician should wear for protection on different job sites. 

• Level 0 sites have minimal risk and only require a basic FR shirt and pants, glasses, and recommended hearing protection.

• Level 1 is low exposure, with a single layer of PPE, such as fire-resistant coveralls for protection.

• Level 2 includes moderate risks and requires two layers of arc-rated FR clothing.

• Level 3 is high-risk sites that require full arc flash suits that meet the minimum arc rating and multiple layers of PPE.

• Level 4 sites have extreme risks and require all the PPE of Level 3 sites with additional layers.

In addition to the clothing and equipment that help your team present a professional front to your customers, their uniforms should also include the gear to keep them safe no matter what they encounter in the field. 

Electrician Uniforms and Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Clothing

ESD clothing is designed to prevent static buildup in situations where it might damage electronics or sensitive equipment. 

Not all ESD clothing is made equal, and the garment standard ANSI/ESD S20.20 and ANSI/ESD STM2.1 sorts it into three categories:

• ESD Category 1: Garments that reduce static accumulation but are not grounded, so the charge may still build up on conductive elements.

• ESD Category 2: Apparel that is grounded to prevent electric field effects and provide a high level of static suppression.

• ESD Category 3: Clothing that bonds the skin, garment, and ground cord. The entire system is under 35 megohms for the highest level of protection. 

The right level of ESD clothing is essential for technicians working with electronics, computers, and delicate circuitry. Using ESD clothing ensures safety and prevents costly damage on the job.

What to Look for in Electrician Uniforms

Finding a uniform that delivers on safety, professionalism, and branding requires researching products and ensuring they’re durable, comfortable, and look great on every technician. 

Order samples, solicit feedback from your team, and start small with high-quality purchases, even if you need multiple layers. 

Material

Electricians in the field need durable, breathable fabrics. The top priority should be to outfit them with flame-resistant materials but keep in mind that morale will be higher if the uniform is lightweight and repels water and oil. 

It’s critical to avoid conductive materials such as cotton and wool.

Size

Not all manufacturers provide the same sizing options, so it’s essential to order samples from various labels and get feedback from technicians about the fit. 

The more form-fitting the uniform, the more it reduces the risk of arc flash.

You’ll need to select options in both men’s and women’s sizes to ensure everyone on your team has protective clothing that fits them correctly.

Protection

This should be one of the highest considerations when shopping for workwear for your team. There’s no shortage of hazards on the job site, and clothing should help protect against:

• Electrical shock: clothing should help insulate the wearer from electrical current 

• Arc flash: flame-resistant clothing with high heat protective ratings protects technicians from the heat and flame associated with an arc flash.

• Chemical burns: electricians may be exposed to caustic chemicals depending on the job site.

• Falls: electricians may face work environments with fall potential, and their uniforms should include components to protect them.

• On-site accidents: hi-vis clothing ensures technicians are visible to other technicians, traffic, and equipment operators on the job site.

• Cuts and abrasions: working in the trades, technicians are no strangers to getting cut on the job. Clothing resistant to tearing can protect the skin as well. 

Consider the protective ratings of clothing when shopping for uniforms and any features, such as reinforced seams, insulation, or arc and voltage ratings.

Comfort

Considering the importance of safety, protection, and material, dismissing the comfort of clothing may be easy. However, a uniform’s comfort increases team member compliance with wearing PPE. 

Materials should be lightweight and breathable and allow for freedom of movement, such as kneeling. Every employee should have a range of branded clothing, including long and short sleeves, hoodies, and overalls.

Some manufacturers may offer unisex sizing options, which can often mean everyone is uniformly uncomfortable in their work clothes. Clothing with adjustable features helps customize the fit to every employee.

Durability

The more durable clothing is, the more longevity it has and the greater its value.

Features like reinforced stress points and double-stitching prevent rips and tears. 

Sturdy fabrics will endure repeated laundering and long days on the job site.

There’s a balance in finding the perfect uniform for your team members. It needs to offer protection but be comfortable, sized correctly, and durable.

Where Can I Buy Electrician Uniforms?

There’s no shortage of manufacturers creating clothing for the trades, including for electricians. Here are some of the most trusted and respected places to purchase electrician uniforms.

RedKap

RedKap provides flame-resistant uniforms and high-visibility clothing specifically for electricians and industrial applications. Since 1923, RedKap has made clothing that checks all the boxes on what to look for in a uniform.

OccuNomix

OccuNomix is a PPE designer and manufacturer that creates high-vis clothing for hot and cold environments and head protection. They focus on being functional and well-designed, so technicians want to wear their gear. 

Bulwark

Bulwark is a fire-resistant safety clothing manufacturer with over 50 years of industry experience. They specialize in creating comfortable, functional workwear while providing customer PPE resources, including expert tips.

Local shops

Shopping locally lets electrical contractors compare uniform manufacturers, seeing and feeling products before purchasing. When you buy from local shop owners, you can also build relationships and get access to deals that shopping online can’t provide. 

It takes time to find safe yet comfortable uniforms. You may need to use several suppliers to locate the right uniform for your team.

Get the Tools to Make Great First Impressions: Great Uniforms and ServiceTitan Software

Excellent service is the backbone of creating momentum for growth in the electrical services industry. But you need to equip your team with the right tools in the field and the back office to signal professionalism and expertise to customers. 

ServiceTitan is comprehensive business management software for the trades, including electrical companies, plumbers, HVAC, and more. It empowers unparalleled service to customers from the field and the office, driving success at every job.

Schedule a demo and take control of your future.