HiVis Supply’s Cold Weather Guide to Cold Stress Prevention

Cold weather months can increase the risk of injury or illness for outdoor workers.

What is Cold Stress and How to Avoid It? 

Anytime you’re working outside, you’re at the mercy of Mother Nature. When the temperatures dip down to near freezing temperatures and you’re battling snow, rain and sleet, you need specialized gear that can protect you. High visibility clothing like vests, pants, jackets, raingear, coveralls, beanies and gloves are just a few examples of protective clothing that can help you stay warm and safe in bad weather. 

HiVis Hank wanted to share some cold weather facts with his friends in the workforce. He admits he had to do some research before putting this post together. He’s never really minded the cold before. He does have a warm fur coat all year long, after all. 

So, Hank did some digging and thought he’d share a few of the most common cold-related injuries and illnesses. He also gave some insight on what to do if you or another worker begin to experience cold stress symptoms. Just remember, it’s not just the cold temperatures you need to consider. If you have any health issues like diabetes, cardiovascular disease or hypertension, or if you take certain medications you could be more prone to cold stress and should take special precautions. 


Frostbite

Frostbite is basically what it sounds like. It happens when skin and underlying tissues begin to freeze from extreme cold. The colder the temperatures the faster the risk of frostbite injury. Typically, the hands and feet are the first to be affected and in severe cases may require amputation. If you suspect someone is experiencing the onset of frostbite, call 911 immediately. Get them out of the cold, remove wet clothing and warm them with blankets. 


Signs of frostbite include: 

  1. Skin appears white, grayish-yellow or waxy
  2. Skin feels firm or hard
  3. Blisters occur in the affected part (in severe cases)


Hypothermia

Hypothermia can happen anytime a person’s core body temperature falls below 95° F. The tricky thing about hypothermia is that it doesn’t always have to be extremely cold outside for someone to suffer. It can happen even if it’s only moderately cold, especially if a worker becomes chilled from rain or water. If you suspect someone is experiencing the onset of hypothermia, call 911 immediately. Get them out of the cold, remove wet clothing and warm them with blankets. 


Signs of hypothermia include: 

  1. Shivering
  2. Drowsiness
  3. Exhaustion
  4. Confusion
  5. Shallow breathing
  6. Irregular heartbeat
  7. Slurred speech
  8. Loss of coordination
  9. Unconsciousness and eventually death


Here’s additional information on emergency treatment of hypothermia and frostbite from the
National Safety Council.

Trench Foot

Stand around in wet boots long enough and you’ll put yourself at risk for trench foot. After prolonged exposure to wet and cold temperatures, your feet can lose heat up to 25 times faster than if they were dry. Your blood vessels constrict and cut off blood supply and the tissue starts to die. If you suspect trench foot, call 911. Remove the boots and socks and dry the feet while waiting for help to arrive. 


Signs of trench foot include: 

  1. Redness of skin
  2. Swelling
  3. Numbness
  4. Blisters


OSHA Recommends these Cold Weather Tips

  1. Recognize environmental and workplace conditions that can lead to cold stress
  2. Train workers about different cold stress injuries, illnesses and prevention
  3. Choose proper clothing for cold, wet and windy conditions
  4. Layer clothing to adjust to changing environmental temperatures
  5. Take frequent short breaks in warm, dry shelters and warm up
  6. Work during the warmest part of the day, if possible
  7. Reserve energy for warmth and avoid strenuous activity
  8. Work in pairs to monitor for signs of cold stress
  9. Drink warm, sweet beverages and eat high-calorie foods
  10. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol


When it’s cold and you work outside, everyone tells you to dress warm before you head out the door. The sentiment is nice, but if they’ve ever done the slightest bit of manual labor they’d understand dressing warm isn’t always easy. Do you remember the first time you tried to bundle up and do your job. Guaranteed, your jacket and gloves came off the first chance they could. So you got the job done, but you ended up sick for days after. 

The truth is you can stay warm on the job, but there’s a proper way to do it. First, you need to start with the right gear. Clothing and accessories need to be specially designed to be lightweight, resist moisture, wick away sweat and keep you warm. They also need to be designed with your occupational hazards in mind. That means your cold weather gear should factor in the need for high visibility, flame-resistance, arc flash or protection from chemical exposure. 

Plus, some cold weather apparel may not be suitable with certain fall protection components. That’s why it’s important to talk to your safety manager, an industrial hygienist, or your favorite safety supplier when choosing gear. 

 

Once you got all that figured out, it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3.


HiVis Hank also wanted to share a resource he relies on anytime he’s heading out to work in extreme conditions. He checks out the National Weather Service when he needs tips on staying safe during inclement weather. Check out their link here

 

Full disclosure: We’re not medical experts (shocking, we know). We’re just some folks that want to spread the word about cold weather safety at work. Make sure you do your own research on the emergency protocols for cold stress injury and illness. 


For any other questions on choosing the best winter gear, visit us at hivissupply.com and we’ll get you squared away.

HiVis-Supply-Shop-Autumn-SafetyHiVis-Supply-Shop-Autumn-Safety

Share:

Copyright © 2005-2023 Summit Safety (dba HiVis Supply). All rights reserved.