Safety in Cold Weather

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Safety in Cold Weather

• 3/4/2008

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What is Cold?

• 98.6 Degrees Fahrenheit Normal Body Temp
• Excessive Exposure Hypothermia
• May be Fatal if not removed from cold
• Results in
• Reduced alertness
• Impaired judgement

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Effects of Lowered Temps.

• Also, wind must be accounted for in determining
  actual temp.
• A 15 mph wind in 30 results in actual temp9

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Cold and the Body

• Productivity decreases
• Numbness in extremities
• Grip strength decreases
• Forced to navigate carefully

• Shivering is bodys first response
• It increased metabolic rate
• Produces heat to compensate for heat loss

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Cold and Work Done

• A study showed that grip strength decreased by ¼
  even over short exposure
• The less fit, the elderly, and women all have
  trouble compensating to cold

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Cold Hazards

• Main Causes for Injury
• Frostbite
• Hypothermia
• 700 deaths per year
• Slips and falls
• Most prevalent cause of injury
• Either from ice or visibility problems

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Cold Illness Symptoms

• Hypothermia
• Increased shivering
• Slurred speech
• Irrational behavior

• Frostbite
• Gray/white skin
• Mostly in extremities
• Numbness

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Treatments

• Move victim to warm, dry area
• Hypothermia Move body parts, hydrate
• Frostbite slowly warm body parts (30 min)

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Prevention Tips

• Wear three layers of clothing
• Drink plenty of warm, sweet fluids
• Eat 10-15 more calories
• Have a warm-up work schedule
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, medications

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Prevention Tips

• Halt work immediately when exhausted
• Shield work areas from wind
• Select warmest hours of day for work
• Educate employees on symptoms of cold-related
  stresses
• Use buddy system

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OSHA and the Cold

• No particular standard but
• 1926.28(a) and 1926.95(a) both require PPE under
  hazardous conditions
• 1926.451(a)(17) also addresses the clearance of
  snow buildup on scaffolding
• The 1998 Cold Stress Card recommends 911 for all
  employees with cold-stress symptoms

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