Around that core sits everything else your crew wears: base layers, tops, jackets and hats. That is where comfort, branding and a professional look come in, and where a crew can look like a proper firm rather than a crew in odd old clothes.
Chainsaw PPE sets the rules
Chainsaw protective trousers, chaps, boots, gloves and jackets are made to the EN ISO 11393 series, which replaced EN 381. They are chosen by saw type, task and your risk assessment, and they come from specialist suppliers. Do not swap them for ordinary work trousers.
Everything you add on top must not interfere. Upper layers should be close-fitting, with no loose hems or cords that could catch a chain, a rope or a branch. Climbing harnesses also sit better over a slim top than a bulky hoodie.
Sweat on the climb, cold on the ground
Climbing is hard physical work, so climbers overheat fast even in winter, then cool quickly when they stop. Wicking base layers and a thin long sleeve top work better than cotton, which stays wet. Groundies stand around more between bursts of dragging and chipping, so they need a warmer layer such as a fleece or softshell.
Beanies fit under some helmets and snoods block the wind on exposed sites. Check they do not affect helmet fit.
Roadside jobs and the customer's driveway
Highway tree work and clearance by roads need hi-vis, and works on or near the carriageway follow Chapter 8 traffic management. Your client or the highway authority will usually set the hi-vis class required, often Class 3 for full roadside work.
On domestic jobs, a branded softshell or tee gives the homeowner confidence before the saws start, and a tidy branded crew makes a good impression on the neighbours watching from their windows.
Where to put your logo
Chainsaw PPE is safety equipment and should not be modified, so keep your branding on the layers around it. Embroider your logo on the left chest of tees and softshells, and put a big print across the back where it shows when the climber is up the tree, which is often when photos get taken. On hi-vis, the logo must go on the fluorescent fabric, never on the reflective tape, and a large logo can cut the compliant area, so size it carefully. We proof the back print so you can judge its size first.
