Workers who are exposed to extreme cold or work in cold environments may be at risk of cold stress. Extreme cold weather is a dangerous situation that can bring on health emergencies in susceptible people such as those without shelter, outdoor workers and those who work in an area that is poorly insulated or without heat. Whenever temperatures drop decidedly below normal and as wind speeds increases, heat can more rapidly leave your body. These weather-related conditions may lead to serious health problems.
Hazards
Proper care should be taken during cold weather conditions. Personnel may find the ground more slippery due to iced-over water puddles or snow on the deck. It is extremely important to use appropriate footwear to protect against slips, trips, and falls. Additionally, individuals should always walk with caution. If pathways are not equipped with railings, temporary rails may be put in place to assist personnel while walking on weather decks and open areas. In addition to injuries resulting from slips, trips, and falls during cold weather, personnel may fall prey to cold weather stress. Cold stress develops from the body’s inability to warm itself or regulate to the core temperature of 37 degrees celicus. As the cold temperatures draw heat away from the body, inadequate protection leads to cold stress conditions. Frostbite and hypothermia are conditions resulting from cold weather stress.
- Frostbite – injury to body tissues caused by exposure to extremely cold, typically affecting the nose, fingers, or toes and sometimes resulting in gangrene.
- Hypothermia – the condition of having an abnormally low body temperatures, typically one that is dangerously low.
Best Practices
- Wear weather appropriate PPE
- Wear layers of clothing
- Cover your hands and head
- Wear warm footwear
- Take short breaks in warm areas
- Avoid working under fatigue
- Keep paths clear of ice and snow
- Wear slip-resistant footwear
- Keep an extra set of clothes
- Consume warm, high-calorie food
