BREAKING GROUND IN THE FROZEN NORTH:
IRON-TUFF® AND THE TRANS-ALASKA PIPELINE

Answering the call to hard work is what America does best. In 1973, when the oil crisis put the squeeze on the U.S., crews answered by taking on one of the toughest engineering jobs ever: the Trans Alaska Pipeline. Just over three years and 800-miles of steel through frozen mountains and icy oil fields pushed both the crews, and their gear, to the limit.

The first challenge was pulling oil out of the Arctic. The second? Doing it in subzero temps, 40-below windchills, and permafrost buried under snow and ice. Thousands of crew members worked around the clock through Arctic storms, frozen tundra, and mountain passes to stretch the line from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez. They couldn’t do it in just any gear. They suited up in the toughest cold-weather system ever built — Iron-Tuff® insulated workwear from RefrigiWear. Out there, it took more than grit and heavy machinery to get the job done.

The Gear That Got It Done

Iron-Tuff® insulated PPE was originally built for freezer storage and industrial cold rooms. Naturally, it crushed the Arctic just as easily. During pipeline construction, crews relied on Iron-Tuff® jackets, coveralls, and insulated coats to push through biting winds, bone-chilling temps, and brutal jobsite conditions. When the cold fought back, Iron-Tuff® held the line and kept workers moving.

Key Iron-Tuff^® Features That Delivered in the Arctic

–50°F Comfort Rating: RefrigiFill™ polyester insulation keeps warmth locked in and bound seams seal out the wind.
Abrasion and Water-Resistant: 400-denier nylon outer shell resists rips and tears from rugged terrain or tools, while keeping moisture where it belongs–on the outside.
Reinforcements: Brass rivets on high-stress areas and heel reinforcement patches for long-term wear.

Cold-Weather Results That Mattered

TAPS constructions crews worked year-round though long Arctic winters with limited daylight, whiteout conditions, and dangerously low wind chills. Crews often worked on elevated sections of pipeline, or on rugged, icy terrain where frostbite and hypothermia were constant risks. Having tough gear was about more than getting the job done, it was about staying alive. Shape

From early pipeline phases to maintenance work, Iron-Tuff thermal workwear is field-tested for success, and delivers on all fronts. Today, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline still flows strong. And Iron-Tuff® insulated workwear is still trusted on pipelines, oilfields, and job sites across North America.