When it’s really, really cold …
Employees who work in cold environments, both indoors and outdoors, may be at risk of cold stress, leading to a potentially dangerous situation.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends that employers implement a cold-related illness and injury prevention program that includes preventive measures, such as training employees about the hazards of working in cold environments and providing appropriate cold-weather gear.
People who have previously experienced frostbite, sedentary workers and those with
poor circulation may be especially susceptible to cold stress.
Working in cold and damp conditions can also lead to declining work performance (i.e., a decline in cognitive function and dexterity) or result in illness or injury.
Early symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, fatigue, loss of coordination, confusion, and/or disorientation. Late symptoms include no shivering, blue skin, dilated pupils, slowed pulse and breathing, and/or loss of consciousness.
If hypothermia is suspected, call 911. Then move the individual to a warm area and replace wet clothing with a dry blanket or towel.
