Working while cold can be generally unpleasant, but severe cold stress can also lead to hypothermia, which can be fatal. Cold stress can affect people working in cold or wet environments. Workers may show symptoms ranging from shivering to loss of consciousness. Hypothermia often happens so slowly that you don’t realize you’re in danger. Reducing the risks is an important step in keeping safe on the job site.
Dress for Success
When it comes to the cold weather, layers are a key strategy in staying warm. Layers allow you to adjust how warm you are as you can easily remove a layer of clothing. More than that, air is trapped between each layer and warmed by your body, insulating you from the cold. Water and wind proof gear is important as well since being dry is a key component of staying warm in the cold weather.
In particularly cold weather, try using long underwear or thermal underwear. Cotton can hold water against your body, so try synthetic fabrics or wool. Polyester, spandex, lycra, and nylon are often combined with other natural fibers to provide the right amount of moisture wicking properties and heat retention required.
Your daily pants and shirt also play an important role. If fit incorrectly, or made from the wrong fabrics, they may trap moisture from the layer below. This will make you feel damp. It is best to use synthetic fabric, wool, or a combination. You can layer more than one wool sweater on top of another if it is particularly cold, or if the sweaters are thin. Wool is an ideal fabric as it will stay warm, even when wet.
Finally, ensure you have an appropriately insulated coat and a hat. Most body heat is lost through the head. Coats should be waterproof. It that isn’t possible, try adding a water-resistant shell or a windbreaker.
Drink Plenty of Fluids
Dehydration can lead to exhaustion and hypothermia. Drink plenty of fluids, but limit your intake of coffee and tea. Try hot water with lemon and honey, warm broth, or just plain water. Alcohol, even in small amounts, can increase body cooling.
Keep Moving
Bodies generate heat through movement. Depending on your job, you may be moving a lot, but if you aren’t, consider taking a short break to move around.
Stay Warm
Depending on the job site, consider an electric or propane heater you can take a break near. In some cases, a temporary enclosed shelter could be erected, or a trailer could be brought in. If those aren’t options, look into heated insoles for your shoes, heated vests, and/or heated gloves. Warming packs you can stuff into your pockets are another option. There are one-time use ones, and rechargeable ones.
Remember
If someone is showing signs of hypothermia, it is important to get their core temperature back up. Get them to a warm, dry area and remove any wet clothing. Use blankets, additional clothing, and heating pads. If they are conscious, give them warm liquids to drink. If they aren’t breathing or are unconscious, contact 911 immediately and perform CPR.
Additional Tips:
* Use a hat or headband that covers your ears
* Wool socks
* Wool lined gloves when possible
* Use a non-cotton scarf for wind protection
* Use ChapStick to keep your lips from drying out and cracking
* Try composite boots instead of steel-toed ones as they can be a “cold sink”
