Working in the heat has received a lot of attention as a workplace safety issue. It should. Excessive heat kills. But there are also hazards that come with excessive cold and other winter weather conditions.
There are no specific Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards protecting workers exposed to extreme cold temperatures. OSHA offers employers guidance, but they do not have enforcement capabilities other than the General Duty Clause.
Union safety and health committees can work to get agreements with management on ways to reduce the risks caused by extreme weather.
Cold Stress
When cold temperatures cause a drop in internal body temperature, serious health issues can result including tissue damage and, in extreme cases, death. Air temperature is a key factor, however, how cold the temperature actually “feels,” can be made worse by wind and wetness or dampness. The combined effect of temperature and wind is called the “wind chill factor.” The National Weather Service has an online calculator to help determine the wind chill. By inputting the temperature and wind speed, a “feels like” temperature can be determined.
The same information may be found in the following charts:
The following are different types of cold stress injuries.
Frostbite
Frostbite occurs when the skin and other tissues freeze. The damage can be temporary or permanent, and in extreme cases may lead to amputation.
Frostbite can be identified by:
- reddened skin that develops gray or white patches.
- tingling.
- aching.
- numbness in the affected area.
- hard blisters which may form.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is low body temperature – less than 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The first sign of hypothermia is shivering. More serious symptoms include:
- Loss of coordination
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Slower heart rate and breathing
At its most severe, hypothermia can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Because hypothermia causes confusion, workers may find themselves in dangerous situations because of their inability to think clearly. That confusion also means that victims of hypothermia will not necessarily realize what is happening and will not get the help they need.
Trench Foot
Trench foot is a condition that is caused by feet having prolonged exposure to cold or wetness. When feet become extremely cold, the blood vessels constrict to shut down circulation to the feet. This is the body’s attempt to keep the body’s core temperature warmer. When the blood stops circulating to the feet, skin tissue begins to die. Trench foot symptoms include:
- Redness of skin
- Blisters or ulcers
- Bleeding under the skin
- Numbness
- Swelling
- Leg cramps
- Gangrene
If any of these cold stress injuries occur, it is important to replace any wet clothing with dry clothing and move the person to a warm space. Medical attention should be sought, particularly for signs of hypothermia.
While the disorders caused by extreme cold are both uncomfortable and potentially life threatening, the good news is that there are some basic steps that can be taken to prevent cold stress.
At the workplace, OSHA recommends the following:
- Employers should train workers on how to prevent and recognize cold stress illnesses and injuries, and how to apply first aid treatment.
- Employers should provide engineering controls. For example, radiant heaters may be used to warm workers in outdoor security stations. If possible, shield work areas from drafts or wind to reduce wind chill.
- Employers should use safe work practices. Give frequent warming breaks. Provide plenty of warm, sweetened liquids to workers. If possible, employers can schedule heavy work during the warmer part of the day. Assign workers to tasks in pairs (buddy system), so that they can monitor each other for signs of cold stress.
- Dressing properly is extremely important to preventing cold stress. Layering and wearing wool, silk and most synthetics to retain insulation when wet. Winter uniforms should provide maximum warmth and insulation.
Replacement clothing should be available in the event clothing gets wet, including additional socks, gloves and hats.
Unions should negotiate with employers to take these simple steps to protect their workers’ safety and health while working in cold temperatures.
The information in this article was gathered with the guidance of OSHA’s Emergency Preparedness Cold Stress Guide.
