January 2019 Safety Break Topic: Cold Weather Safety

02 Jan January 2019 Safety Break Topic: Cold Weather Safety

Did you know?

• The effects of cold weather can be increased by consumption of alcohol.
• Prolonged exposure to extreme cold can result in death or loss of extremities.

Cold Related Illness

The cold breath of “old man winter” can often result in a debilitating illness or even death in the most extreme cases. Cold weather for some people is not a real issue. For many, though, the winter months are difficult and often dangerous. For overweight and older employees and those not conditioned to work in extreme weather, it can be deadly. The human body produces an amazing amount of heat on its own. That heat must be maintained in order to spend time outside in the winter months. Coats, hats, gloves, and clothing enable humans to regulate and maintain our natural body temperature. Exposure to weather extremes can affect alertness and coordination. This puts the worker at even greater risk of injury when working around equipment. Workers exposed to extreme cold for long periods of time may develop frostbite and hypothermia.

Frostbite

Frostbite is the most common type of cold related illness. Frostbite is the actual freezing of body parts exposed to the cold. The severity of the frostbite depends on the air temperature, length of exposure, and the wind. The symptoms of frostbite include feelings of numbness and discoloration of the skin. The skin may become cold to the touch and have a yellow, blue, or red coloration. In extreme cases frostbite will result in the loss of fingers, hands, toes, feet and legs. To care for a victim that has these symptoms, remove wet clothing and warm the skin with warm water. Never rub the skin as this may damage the soft tissue even further. Place the victim’s affected body part into water that is no warmer than 105 degrees Fahrenheit. If the area is too large to submerse, cover the area with towels that have been dipped into the warm water. Continue warming the frostbitten area until the skin feels warm to the touch and returns to its more natural coloration. The skin may be slightly red or flushed, which is normal. The area should then be dried by gently blotting the area and bandaged loosely. In severe cases of frostbite, blisters may appear. Get professional medical assistance for the victim as soon as possible.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a dangerous condition that often causes the employee to collapse and die if not treated quickly. It is generally associated with long periods of exposure to extreme cold. However, many people are more susceptible to hypothermia than others. Hypothermia can occur when temperatures are above freezing. Often firefighters, construction workers, and factory workers are most susceptible. Hypothermia symptoms include shivering, numbness, glass stare, apathy and loss of consciousness. To care for the victim, first call your local emergency phone number and inform them of the condition of the victim. Next, ensure the victim is comfortable, remove wet clothing, and dry the victim. Warm the victim slowly by putting on dry clothes and covering them with blankets. If possible, move the victim to a warm place. Heating pads or other sources of heat may be used to warm the body if they are available. If the victim is alert, give them warm fluids to drink. If the victim is unconscious, periodically check for a pulse and breathing. If breathing has stopped and there is no pulse, begin CPR.

Beat the Cold

Most cold related illness could be avoided by remembering a couple of basic facts:

• The body naturally produces heat that we must maintain while working in colder environments. Periodic breaks and rest periods will allow the body to naturally begin to adjust to its environment. Avoid working outdoors in the coldest part of the day (before daylight or after dark) if possible. Alter your activity level according to the temperature.
• Appropriate attire can ensure personal safety and a job done safely. Layering natural and man-made fabrics creates warmth by trapping body heat between the layers. Layering is an old technique that allows you to remove clothing when the body temperature begins to warm up and replace clothing when the body begins to cool.