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OSHA Offers Tips to Protect Workers in Cold Weather

OSHA reminds workers and their employers that hypothermia can occur when the land temperature is above the freezing mark or the water temperature is below body temperature. Conditions can be made worse by wind or wet clothing.

OSHA advises employers to train their workers about the hazards of working in the cold. Workers should layer their clothing according to the temperature, and wear a hat and gloves in addition to underwear made from polypropylene or other materials that will keep water away from the skin.

Workers should take short breaks in a warm, dry shelter to allow their bodies to warm up; perform work during the warmest part of the day; be aware that it is easier to become exhausted or fatigued because more energy is needed to keep muscles warm; use the buddy system and work in pairs; drink warm, sweet beverages such as sugar water and sports-type drinks and avoid drinks with caffeine such as coffee, tea and hot chocolate and alcohol; and eat warm, high-calorie foods such as pasta.

Workers are at an increased risk when they have predisposing health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hypertension; they take certain medications that can be identified by a doctor, nurse or pharmacy; or if they are in poor physical condition, have a poor diet or are older.

Frost Bite

Frost bite is the freezing of deep layers of the skin and tissue, and can be recognized by a pale, waxy-white skin color. The skin becomes hard and numb, and fingers, hands, toes, feet, ears and nose are usually affected.

In cases of frost bite:

• Move the person to a warm, dry area and don’t leave them alone.
• Remove any wet or tight clothing that may cut off blood flow to the affected area.
• Do not rub the affected area, which causes skin and tissue damage.
• Gently place the affected area in a warm (105-degree Fahrenheit) water bath and monitor the water temperature to slowly warm the tissue. Pouring warm water directly on the affected area will warm the tissue too fast and cause damage. Warming takes about 25-40 minutes.
• After it is warmed, the affected area may become puffy and blister; it may also have a burning feeling or numbness. When normal feeling, movement and skin color have returned, the affected area should be dried and wrapped to keep it warm. It is important to note that the affected area should not be warmed if there is a chance that it will get cold again; this can cause severe tissue damage.
• Seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Hypothermia

In hypothermia, the body temperature drops to 95-degrees Fahrenheit or below. Signs can include fatigue or drowsiness; uncontrolled shivering; cool, bluish skin; slurred speech; clumsy movements; and irritable, irrational or confused behavior.

In cases of hypothermia:

• Call for emergency help.
• Persons who have succumbed to cold temperatures on land should be moved to a warm, dry area and should not be left alone. Remove any wet clothing and replace it with warm, dry clothing or wrap the person in blankets.
• If alert, have the person drink warm, sweet drinks and avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.
• Have the person move their arms and legs to create muscle heat. If they can’t, place warm bottles or hot packs in the arm pits, groin, neck and head areas. Do not rub the person’s body or place them in a warm-water bath. These could stop their heart.
• To treat hypothermia from water exposure, in which body heat can be lost up to 25 times faster, do not remove any clothing. Button, buckle, zip and tighten any collars, cuffs, shoes and hoods because the layer of trapped water closest to the body provides insulation that slows heat loss. Keep the head out of the water and put on a hat or hood.
• Get out of the water as quickly as possible or climb onto anything that is floating. Do not attempt to swim unless a floating object or another person can be reached; swimming or other physical activity uses the body’s heat and reduces survival time by about 50%.
• If it is not possible to get out of the water, wait quietly and conserve body heat by folding arms across the chest, keeping thighs together, bending knees and crossing ankles. If another person is in the water, huddle together with chests held closely.

For more information, e-mail George Middleton at NAHB or call him at 800-368-5242 x8590.

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