- Claims & Risk Management
- No comments
The cold weather and wind has everyone shivering through the month of January. Working in the cold weather is uncomfortable and causes a tremendous amount of strain on your body. The cold reduces the dexterity of using hands, grip force, and your ability to sense temperature and pain; all of which make it easy for an injury to occur. Workers exposed to cold conditions are at risk of serious health problems including hypothermia, frostbite, dehydration and muscle injuries. Frigid temperatures can also cause added pain for those who suffer from arthritis and rheumatism. To prevent injuries and illness because of winter weather, it’s important to learn about the causes, symptoms and safety considerations to take so you and your employees are prepared.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there is no exact temperature at which the environment becomes hazardous. Instead, factors such as low temperatures, wind speed and wetness contribute to cold-induced injuries and illness.
- Exposed skin freezes within one minute at -20° F when the wind speed is five miles per hour (mph), and will freeze at 10° F if the wind speed is 20 mph.
- When skin or clothing is wet, injury or illness can occur at temperatures above 10° F, and even above freezing (32° F).
- When the body is unable to warm itself, hypothermia and frostbite can set in, resulting in permanent tissue damage and even death.
If you or a co-worker have any of the following symptoms, get indoors and alert your supervisor or call for medical attention if they do not subside:
- Uncontrollable shivering
- Slurred speech
- Clumsy movements
- Fatigue
- Confused behavior
- White or grayish-yellow area(s) of the skin
- Skin that feels “waxy”
- Numbness
Cold Weather Safety Considerations:
- Layer clothing to keep warm enough to be safe, but cool enough to avoid excessive perspiration.
- Wear a hat—20% to 30% of your body heat is lost through your head. If you wear a hard hat, add a winter liner that covers your neck.
- Securely tie down or weigh down tools/supplies so they are safe from gusts of wind.
- Place heat packets in gloves, vests, boots and hats to add heat to the body.
- Take frequent breaks in warm, dry shelters to allow your body to warm up.
- Sweep water out of passageways inside of buildings under construction to avoid slipping.
- Clean off and sand work surfaces covered by ice or snow to prevent falling.
- Use the buddy system–always work in pairs.
The Safegard Group’s Risk Department can help you determine how to stay safe in cold weather, contact us to learn more.