Extreme cold – protecting employees

Construction. Transportation. Manufacturing. Agriculture. Sanitation. These are just a few industries that can be impacted by cold weather and cold stress.

While OSHA doesn’t have a specific standard for employers to follow that covers working in the cold, providing a safe place to work that’s free from hazards, including cold stress, can help reduce physical harm. Knowing the types of cold stress, weather conditions, and safety tips can help you prevent accidents any time the temperature drops.

Cold stress factors

What constitutes extreme cold can vary across the country. But no matter where you’re located, there three common conditions to watch that can cause cold-related stress: air temperature, wind speed, and humidity.

OSHA estimates that water (even sweat), can displace heat 25 times faster than dry air. Although most people assume that cold stress can only happen in freezing temperatures, it can also happen in 50°F if it’s windy or raining. So whenever the temperature starts to drop, look at the wind chill. That’s what it will feel like on the skin when the air temperature combines with wind speed.

Types of cold stress

When it’s cold, most of the body’s energy is used to keep its core temperature warm. With time, however, blood

flow will shift from extremities and outer skin to the chest and abdomen. When temperatures drop below normal, and your body releases heat faster, this can cause physical stress.

Cold stress happens when the body is unable to keep itself warm and leads to illness or injury. In regions that don’t normally see winter weather (e.g., Los Angeles and Tampa), near-freezing temperatures are considered factors for cold stress. But in colder areas (e.g., Chicago or Detroit) that might not be the case.

Additional risk factors that contribute to cold stress:

• Wetness/dampness
• Fatigue
• Improper attire
• Diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hypertension
• Poor physical conditioning

Cold weather safety tips for employees

Though extreme cold can present issues, certain jobs require workers to brave the elements. Fortunately, there are many proactive measures you and your workers can take to stay safe:

• Wear the right clothing: Wear at least three layers of clothing: an inner layer, a middle layer, and an outer layer. The inner layer should be a synthetic weave, the middle layer should be down or wool, and the outer layer should be waterproof. Avoid tight clothing, if possible, as it reduces blood circulation.
• Have extra clothes on hand: Keep a change of dry clothing at work to change into as soon as possible if your clothes feel damp or get wet.
• Try to stay dry: Wet or damp clothing can cause body temperature to drop quickly, and cause illness or injury.
• Avoid skin contact with cold metal surfaces: Touching cold metal surfaces can lead to frostbite and skin freezing to the metal, making it painful to remove and potentially causing skin damage.
• Drink warm sweet beverages: Staying hydrated in cold weather is crucial. Drink warm, sweet beverages or electrolyte drinks to nourish your body and help keep it warm. Avoid alcohol and caffeine as they cause the body to lose heat faster.
• Look out for one another: To prevent cold stress, work in pairs and monitor each other for symptoms while getting help if necessary.
• Monitor physical condition: Know the symptoms of cold stress, pay attention to signs that you might be experiencing it, and get help immediately.
• Protect hands, feet, ears, and face: Wear a hat, insulated gloves, and insulated waterproof boots.
• Take breaks as needed: Schedule frequent breaks in warm, dry areas.

Cold weather safety tips for employers

As an employer, you can help foster a safe working environment in cold conditions by doing the following:

• Train workers: Train employees to recognize and prevent cold stress, administer first aid, and use work practices and personal protective equipment to avoid cold stress.
• Provide warm beverages: Provide warm beverages to keep workers hydrated and warm.
• Clear walking paths
  To prevent slips and falls, clear walking paths of snow and spread salt on paved surfaces.
• Install heaters: Consider installing radiant heaters, and if possible, shield areas of work from wind to reduce wind chill.
• Equip vehicles with emergency kits: Pack jumper cables, blankets, a flashlight, ice scraper, sand or kitty litter, water, non-perishable snacks, and a first-aid kit.
• Schedule work, intelligently: When working in cold conditions, schedule heavy work during warmer hours and assign workers in pairs to monitor each other for signs of cold stress. Additionally, allow workers to take breaks to warm up, as needed.