Cold Stress Hazards and Prevention

Working in Cold Environments How to Keep Workers Safe and Productive
When the Mercury Plunges

WARNING: This presentation contains photos that some viewers may find disturbing
Copyright ©2013 The Windsor Consulting Group, Inc.

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Overview
 Workers who are exposed
to extreme cold or work in
cold environments may be
at risk of cold stress.
 Extreme cold weather is a
dangerous situation for people
without shelter, outdoor
workers, and work areas
poorly insulated or without heat.
 Weather-related conditions may lead to

Overview
 What constitutes cold stress
and its effects can vary across
different areas of the country.
 In regions unaccustomed to
winter weather, near freezing
temperatures are considered
factors for "cold stress."
 Whenever temperatures drop
decidedly below normal and
as wind speed increases, heat
can more rapidly leave your body.

Goals
 Cold-related illnesses and injuries
 At-risk occupations and recreational activities
 Signs and symptoms of cold exposure
 Emergency response and first aid treatment
 Risk factors, evaluation of work environment,
prevention measures and protective clothing
 Case study and analysis
 Quiz

Cold Workplaces
 Roofs in cold weather
 Bridges near large
bodies of water
 High-rise buildings
exposed to wind
 Refrigerated rooms
or containers
 Commercial fishing areas
 Steel structures that retain cold
 Unheated warehouses in cold climates

Cold Workplaces
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Offshore oil/gas platforms
Marine vessels
Freezers/food warehouses
Arctic exploration and
research projects
Deep sea diving
Logistics and transport
Doormen and taxi drivers
Longshoremen and stevedores
Outside construction job sites

Non-Work Cold Environments
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Snowmobiling and tobogganing
Downhill/cross-country skiing
Ice skating and dog sledding
Winter hunting and ice fishing
Outdoor camping, hiking, boating
Snowshoeing and snowboarding
Rock and mountain climbing
Holiday decorating home exterior
Deicing, shoveling, and snow removal
Riding motorcycles and off-road vehicles

Risk Factors Related to Cold
 A cold environment challenges the worker in
three ways: by air temperature, air movement
(wind speed), and humidity (wetness).
 In order to work safely, challenges have to be
counterbalanced by proper insulation (layered
protective clothing), buddy system, physical
activity, diet and nutrition, acclimatization,
and by controlled exposure to cold (work/rest
schedule).

 Air Temperature: Air temperature is measured
by an ordinary thermometer in degrees Celsius
(°C) or degrees Fahrenheit (°F).
 Wind Speed: Different types of anemometers
are used to measure wind speed or air
movement. Estimates of wind speed include: .
8 km/h (5 mph): light flag moves,
– 16 km/h (10 mph): light flag fully extended,
– 24 km/h (15 mph): raises newspaper sheet,
– 32 km/h (20 mph): causes blowing and drifting snow.
–


 Humidity (wetness): Water conducts heat away
from the body 25 x faster then dry air.
 Physical Activity: The production of body heat
by physical activity (metabolic rate) is difficult
to measure. Tables are used to show metabolic
rates for a variety of activities. Metabolic heat
production is measured in kilo calories (kcal)
per hour. One kilocalorie is the amount of heat
needed to raise the temperature of one kilogram
of water by 1°C.

 Work/rest schedule: This work schedule has
been adopted by the American Conference of
Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
as Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for cold
stress.
 Protective clothing: Adequate clothing is
needed for work at or below 4°C. Clothing
should be selected to suit the temperature,
weather conditions (e.g., wind speed, rain), the
level and duration of activity, and job design.

 Other factors influencing cold injuries
–Insulation materials and layering
–Contact with metal or cryogenic liquids
–Exposed skin
–Vasodilation
–Vasoconstriction
–Previous cold injuries – frostbite and white finger
syndrome
–Constricting garments

 Factors influencing cold injuries
–Local pressure
–Cramped position
–Body type
–Dehydration
–Women do better in cold than men (more body fat)
–Higher caloric intake
–Diabetes, some medications
–Alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco/nicotine

Body Reacts to Cold by:
 Trying to maintain core
temperature of 98.6ºF
 Decreasing blood flow
to extremities to prevent
heat loss which
– Keeps internal organs warm
– Increases chance of frostbite

 Shivering generates heat


Heat Lost to Environment
 Radiation – loss of heat due to temperature
gradient below 98.6 oF
 Conduction – heat transfer from sweating –
water conducts heat from body 25 faster than
air – Stay dry = Stay alive
 Convection - wind chill is an example of heat
transfer by air convection and water currents
also transfers heat away from the core body
 Evaporation – removal of heat by sweating
mechanism or respiration

Heat Lost to Environment


Hypothermia
 Body maintains a relatively stable temperature
whereby heat production is balanced by heat
loss (metabolism and blood circulation)
 Core body temperature is 98.6 ºF or 37 ºC
 If outside environment gets too cold or the
body's heat production decreases, hypothermia
occurs (hypo=less + thermia=temperature).
 Hypothermia is a core body temperature less
than 95 ºF or 35 ºC.

Hypothermia
 Progressive loss of body heat
 Accelerated when person is
wet or damp environment
 Most cases occur with air
temperatures between 30ºF
and 50ºF
 Can occur in air temperatures
with high wind/rain as high as 65ºF
 Occurs in water at 72ºF regardless of currents

Risk Factors for Hypothermia
 Age – cold affects the very old and young
 Physiology – decreased heat production,
increased heat loss, impaired thermoregulation
 Mental status – impaired judgment or mental
function like Alzheimer's disease
 Alcohol and certain drugs can dilate blood
vessels near the skin (vasodilation) and
decrease capability to shiver to stay warm

 Medical conditions – hormonal abnormalities
(thyroid, adrenal, pituitary glands), spinal cord
injury patients may not be able to shiver,
person’s who suffer stroke or brain tumors may
have impairments to regulate temperature,
person’s with overwhelming infection or sepsis
may present lowered body temperature, and
people with diabetes can appear very cold
 Medications increase risk of hypothermia by
limiting ability to shiver

 Occupational health –
–Chemical skin irritants, allergens, sensitizers,
corrosives, or solvents that defat or dry the skin
–Dermatitis from contact with poisonous plants
–Physical agents such as ultraviolet (UV), infrared
(IR) heat or electrical burns resulting in skin
damage, and hand-arm segmental vibration
causing Raynaud’s syndrome can increase risk
– Cryogenic liquid or gas hazards resulting in
tissue damage

Signs and Symptoms of
Hypothermia
 As body temp drops, a person
feels cold and shivering occurs
 Mental function is affected
Danger increases affecting
thinking and reasoning, which may go
unnoticed
 Initial hunger and nausea gives way to apathy
 Confusion, lethargy, slurred speech, so-called
“umbles”, loss of consciousness, and coma

Hypothermia
Condition Core Temperature Signs & Symptoms of Exposure
99º - 97ºF

Normal, shivering can begin

97º - 95ºF

Cold sensation, goose bumps, unable to perform complex tasks with
hands, shiver can be mild to severe, hands numb

95º - 93ºF

Shivering, intense, muscle incoordination becomes apparent,
movements slow and labored, stumbling pace, mild confusion, may
appear alert. Use sobriety test, if unable to walk a 30 foot straight line,
the person is hypothermic.

93º - 90ºF

Violent shivering persists, difficulty speaking, sluggish thinking,
amnesia starts to appear, gross muscle movements sluggish, unable to
use hands, stumbles frequently, difficulty speaking, signs of
depression, withdrawn.

90º - 86ºF

Mild
Hypothermia

Shivering stops, exposed skin blue of puffy, muscle coordination very
poor, inability to walk, confusion, incoherent/irrational behavior, but
may be able to maintain posture and appearance of awareness

Moderate
Hypothermia

Severe
Hypothermia

86º - 82ºF
82º - 78ºF
78º - 75ºF

Muscle rigidity, semiconscious, stupor, loss of awareness of others,
pulse and respiration rate decrease, possible heart fibrillation
Unconscious, heart beat and respiration erractic, pulse may not be
palpable
Pulmonary edema, cardiac and respiratory failure,death. Death may
occur before this temperature is reached.

Hypothermia


Mild Hypothermia
 Shivering and chattering teeth
 Fatigue
 Loss of coordination and
slower to react
 Confusion and disorientation
 Lack of metal alertness increased risk of
accidents and mistakes
 Body temperature lowered to 90-95ºF

Moderate Hypothermia
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Increased mental impairment and confusion
Disorientation and poor decision making
Inability to take precautions from the cold
Slower heart rate and breathing rate
Slurred speech
Body temperature
drops to 82-90ºF


Severe Hypothermia
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Resembles death
Dilated pupils
Irregular or hard-to-find pulse
No shivering
No detectable breathing
Loss of consciousness
Older workers at risk of heart attack
Body temperature <82ºF

Preventing Hypothermia
 Keys to preventing hypothermia are:
–Layering
–Staying dry

 Remember acronym COLD
–Keep it Clean
–Avoid Overheating
–Wear it Loose and in Layers
–Keep it Dry

Field Management
 Goals are to:
–Rescue
–Examine
–Insulate
–Rapidly transport

 If untreated, hypothermia can become a true
medical emergency


Field Management
 Monitor deep core body temperature with ear
or temporal scanning thermometer or wireless
skin sensor/monitor
 Use basic principles of rewarming a
hypothermic victim are to conserve the heat
they have and replace the body fuel they are
burning up to generate that heat.
 If a person is shivering, they have the ability
to rewarm themselves at a rate of 2 oC/hour.

First Aid for Hypothermia
 Alert their supervisor
 Move victim to shelter
 Remove wet clothing
and wrap victim in
warm covers
 Warm the center of their
body first – chest, neck,
head, and groin area using an electric
blanket, if available or use skin-to-skin contact
under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing,
towels, or sheets

First Aid for Hypothermia
 Give warm drinks and food
to increase body temperature,
if conscious
 Avoid alcoholic or hot/cold
caffeinated beverages
 Monitor breathing and core
body temperature
 Keep victim dry and wrapped in
warm blanket including head/neck
 Administer CPR and get medical help

First Aid for Mild Hypothermia
 Reduce internal heat loss
–Additional layers of clothes
–Dry clothing and physical activity or shelter

 Add caloric fuels and hot fluids
–Carbohydrates 5 calories/gram quickly released
–Proteins 5 calories/gram slowly released
–Fats 9 calories/gram slowly released

 Add external heat source
–Fire or other external heat source
–Body to body contact

First Aid for Severe Hypothermia
 Hypothermia wrap or multiple sleeping bags – to
minimize sweating and protect against air
temperature, wind and water.
 Add caloric fluids
fuels – gelatin mix
 Absorb urine from
diuresis
 Add heat to major
arteries with heat
packs, hot water
bottles, and towels


 Paradoxical undressing occurs during moderate
to severe hypothermia, as the person becomes
increasingly disoriented, confused, and combative.
Victim may begin discarding their clothing, which,
in turn, increases the rate of heat loss and death.
 One explanation for the
effect induced malfunction
of the hypothalamus, the
part brain regulating body
temperature


 Sometimes a self-protective behavior known
as terminal burrowing or “hide-and-die”
syndrome occurs in the final stages before
death due to hypothermia.
 The afflicted will enter small, enclosed spaces,
such as underneath beds or behind wardrobes.
 It is associated with prior stage of paradoxical
undressing


Frostnip
 Mildest form of a freezing cold injury
 Affects ear lobes, noses, cheeks, fingers, or
toes and the top layers of the skin freeze
 Affected area of the skin turns white and may
feel numb
 Top layer of skin feels hard
but the deeper tissue still feels
normal (soft) and sometimes
top layer of skin peels off

Frostbite
 Exposure to severe cold below 28-32ºF or
contact with cold objects
 Affects fingers, toes, cheeks,
nose, face, and ears
 Tissue freezes at 30ºF
 Injury may cause gangrene
 More susceptible to future frostbite
 Tissue death—amputation or loss of function

Frostbite Symptoms
 Sensations of coldness
by reduced blood flow
 Tingling, stinging,
or aching sensation
 Skin feels numb and
cold to the touch
 Skin is waxy and
appears yellowish/white
 Blistering, turning red, then black

Field Management of Frostbite
 Monitor air temperature and wind speed using
wind chill index – freezing and hypothermia
 Use contact gloves to handle all equipment,
insulated and chemical resistant gloves, but
never use bare hands
 Avoid cotton clothing that holds perspiration
 Keep face and ears covered and dry
 Keep socks clean and dry
 Avoid light socks and boots

First Aid for Frostbite
 Get into warm room but avoid heating pad or
other dry radiant heat sources – cause burns
 Warm affected area slowly with body heat
 Do not rub or walk with frostbitten feet - may
result in more tissue damage
 Use warm-hot water between 98°F-104°F
 Apply sterile dressing to blisters
 Do not thaw if there is risk of re-freezing
 Get medical attention; and thaw at hospital

Immersion –
Non-Freezing Injury
 Injury to feet that are not frozen but stay wet
for many days or weeks
 Occurs at temps up to 10°C/60°F
 Injury to nerve and muscle tissue
 Symptoms include tingling and
numbness; itching, pain, swelling
of legs, feet, or hands; or
blisters may develop
 Skin may be red and turn to blue or purple
 In severe cases, gangrene may develop


Immersion –
Non-Freezing Injury
 First phase: Hand or foot is cold and without
pain.
 Second phase: Affected limb feels burning hot
and has shooting pains.
 Third phase: Pale skin,
bluish coloring around
the nail beds and lips,
weak pulse.


Immersion – First Aid
 Dry the affected part immediately.
 Remove wet clothing and replace with dry,
warm clothing.
 Rewarm affected area gradually in warm air.
 Do not rub or massage the affected hand/foot.
 Elevate the affected part to reduce swelling.
 Protect the casualty from additional injury.
 Evacuate medical treatment facility as soon as
practical

Trench Foot/Hand –
Non-Freezing Injury
 Injury to feet/hand exposed <12 hours to wet
and cold conditions
 Wet feet lose heat 25 times
faster than dry feet
 Tissue affected below 60ºF
 Blood flow reduced to feet
 More susceptible to future frostbite
 Tissue death—amputation or loss of function
 Also known as “wet cold disease”

Trench Foot/Hand Symptoms
 Cold, numb hand/feet that may
progress to hot with shooting
pain
 Reddening of the skin
 Leg cramps and swelling
 Tingling pain and sensitivity
 Blisters or ulcers
 Bleeding under skin may
lead to gangrene

Trench Foot/Hand First Aid
 Remove wet or constrictive
clothing
 Elevated affected limbs
 Cover with layers of loose,
warm, dry clothing
 Do not pop blisters, apply
lotions or cream, massage,
or expose to extreme heat
 Avoid walking and worsening the injury

Chilblains –
Non-Freezing Injury
 Continuous skin exposure
to air temperatures just
above freezing to 50ºF
 Damage to capillary beds
(small blood vessels)
 Repeated damage can be permanent
 Redness and itching returns with repeated
exposure
 Redness on cheeks, ears, fingers, and toes

Chilblains Symptoms
 Redness
 Itching and burning
sensation
 Tender to touch
 Possible blisters
 Inflammation and
swelling
 Ulceration in severe
cases

Chilblains First Aid
 Apply local warming (put bare hands over the
affected area on the face, put affected hands
inside the uniform under the armpits, etc.)
 Do not rub or massage the affected area
 Apply a field dressing to lesions (sores)
 Have person examined by medical personnel
when the opportunity presents itself


Chilblains First Aid
 Avoid scratching
 Slowly rewarm skin
 Use corticosteroid
cream to reduce itch
 Keep blisters and
ulcerated area clean,
covered, and dry


Other Cold Related Injuries
 Freezing of cornea
–Caused by forcing the eyes open during strong
winds without goggles
–Treatment is very controlled, rapid rewarming e.g.
placing a warm hand or compress over the closed
eye.
–After rewarming the eyes must be completely
covered with patches for 24 - 48 hours.


 Eyelashes freezing together
–Put hand over eye until ice melts; open the eye

 Snow blindness
–Sunburn of the eyes from reflected sunlight
–Wear sunglasses with side shields or tinted goggles
–Eye protection from sun is the same as a cloudy or
overcast day when on snow covered ground
–Snow blindness occurs during a snow storm if the
cloud cover is thin

 Snow blindness
–Symptoms occur 8-12 hours after exposure
–Eyes feel dry and irritated, then feel as if they are
full of sand, moving or blinking becomes
extremely painful, exposure to light hurts the eyes,
eyelids may swell, eye redness, and
excessive tearing
–Treatment – use cold compresses
and stay in dark environment
–Do not rub eyes

Cold Stress Factors
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Low temperature
Cool, high winds
Dampness
Cold water immersion
Prolonged or
repeated exposure
 Inadequate clothing
or protective gear
 No “buddy system”

Other Risk Factors
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Inadequate selection or wet clothing
Prescription medications or alcohol
Diseases like diabetes and thyroid conditions
Severe trauma
Nutrition and diet
Elderly, infants, and children
Persons who are mentally ill
Physical condition

Control Measures
 Reduce exposure by applying engineering
controls such as heated shelter or break areas
 Apply administrative controls like work
practices, standards and operating procedures
including training, timing of work, policies and
other rules to reduce exposure
 Use personal protective equipment (PPE)
 Use combination of engineering/administrative
controls and personal protective equipment

Engineering Controls
 Use controls like enclosures and heating
systems
 Air heaters, radiant heaters, or contact warm
plates may be used. (heaters that emit CO gas)
 Provide a heated shelter for workers to do their
work for and work/warm-up break
 Shield work areas from drafts or winds
 Use thermal insulating material on equipment
(when touching metal handles, or need to sit or
kneel on concrete)

Administrative Controls
 Use a work/warm-up schedule. A warm
shelter or vehicle should be available so
workers can warm up
 Allow a period of adjustment to the cold
before assigning a full work schedule
 Allow individuals to set their own pace and
take extra work breaks when needed
 Educate new or newly transferred workers on
the hazards of working in a cold environment

 Avoid activities that lead to heavy sweating
 Do as many tasks as possible indoors and
reduce timeframe people must work outdoors
 Work outside during the warmer hours of the
day (mid-day/early afternoon)
 Minimize activities that reduce blood flow like
sitting or standing for long periods of time
 Use a buddy system and avoid working alone
 Look at co-workers for signs of cold stress

 If you see symptoms in a co-worker, take
appropriate preventive steps
 Work practices should prevent sitting or
kneeling on cold, unprotected surfaces
 Older workers, or those with certain medical
problems, need careful about the effects of
cold stress
 Check with a doctor about special needs and
precautions to prevent cold stress

 Avoid using alcohol or drugs that may impair
judgment when working in cold environment.
 Hypothermia commonly occurs in association
with alcohol consumption. Besides its effect
on judgment, alcohol increases heat loss by
dilating blood vessels and prevent shivering
 Keep energy level up and prevent dehydration
by consuming plenty of warm, caffeine-free,
non-alcoholic drinks and high calorie food

 Supervisors and workers should be trained to
watch for signs of cold stress and allow
workers to interrupt work when uncomfortable
 Manage work schedules to allow rest periods
 Training should discuss engineering controls,
work practices, and protective equipment to
reduce the risk of cold stress
 Specialized cold training for arctic conditions
 Training/education included in the HASP

 ACGIH has adopted guidelines developed for
working outdoors in cold weather conditions
 Recommended exposure times based on the
wind chill factor and assume workers wear dry
clothing
 Work-break schedule applies to any 4-hour
period with moderate or heavy activity
 Warm-up breaks are 10-min. in a warm area
 “Normal breaks" are taken once every 2 hours

 Work and Warm-up Schedule for 4-hour Shift


 Estimating Wind Speed
Wind Speed (km/h)

What to Look For

10

Wind felt on face; leaves rustle; wind vanes begin to move.

20

Leaves and small twigs constantly moving; small flags
extended.

30

Dust, leaves, & loose paper lifted; large flags flap; small
tree branches move.

40

Small trees begin to sway; large flags extend and flap.

50

Larger tree branches moving; whistling heard in power
lines; large flags extend and flap more wildly.

60

Whole trees moving; resistance felt in walking against
wind; large flags extend fully and flap only at the end

Source: The Weather Network “Glossary” http://www.theweathernetwork.com/glossary/windchill_formula

Wind Chill Temperatures
 Combined effect of air temperature and
air movement


Wind Chill Temperatures


Protective Clothing
 Several layers of clothing
 Synthetic fibers next to
skin to whisk away sweat
 Water-repellent, windresistant outer clothing
 Hats, hoods, or face covers
 Insulated, waterproof footgear
 Insulated, waterproof gloves
 Change clothing when wet

Protective Clothing
 Wear at least three (3) layers
–Outer layer that is windproof
but still allows some ventilation,
–Middle layer of wool, quilted
fibers, or synthetic fleece to
create an insulating layer,
–Inner layer of synthetic fabric or wool to provide
ventilation and allow moisture to escape

 The inner or base layer should not be cotton.
Cotton stays wet and speeds heat loss

Protective Clothing
 Moisture evaporation
and heat loss design for
clothing layers
 ISO 7720 and ASHRAE
55-2010 standards for
the indoor environment
based on air temp and
relative
humidity in air

Protective Clothing
 With the exception of the wicking layer do not
wear tight clothing.
 Loose clothing allows better ventilation of
heat away from the body.
 Do not underestimate the wetting effects of
perspiration.
 Wicking and venting of the body’s sweat and
heat are more important than protecting from
rain or snow.

Protective Clothing
 Wear mittens rather than un-insulated gloves
(mittens are warmer because your fingers stay
together) or use thermal insulated gloves
 Wear gloves when fine manual dexterity is not
required
 Nylon overmitts can be easily put on and taken
off if gloved hands are necessary.
 Be careful about wearing gloves/scarves getting
caught in moving machinery parts

Protective Clothing
 Keep your head covered (up to 40 to 50% of
body heat lost when the head is exposed)
 Use an appropriate hardhat liner with your hard
hat
 Wear a facemask, gaiters, or balaclava when
working in very cold conditions
 Wear socks to protect your ankles and feet. Bring
extra socks if moisture or sweat is likely and
change socks when necessary

Protective Clothing
 Use footwear that protects against cold and
dampness
 Footwear should be insulated and fit
comfortably when socks are layered
 Boots with linings are preferred as they can be
taken apart to dry more easily, or new linings
can be used
 Wet clothing causes body to lose heat quickly
since evaporation takes up a lot of heat

Protective Clothing
 Wool and synthetic fabrics, on the other hand,
do retain heat when wet
 Dirty or greasy clothing has poor insulating
properties


Cold Weather Clothing
Clothing

Type

Long underwear

Wool, silk, synthetic fabric

Pants

Wool, synthetic fabric

Shirts, sweaters, turtlenecks

Wool, fleece, synthetic fabric

Head gear

Wool, synthetic fabrics, wind barrier fabric if
necessary

Gloves, mittens

Loose fitting with wool or synthetic fabric liners,
thermal insulated or pair of uninsulated gloves
inside mittens plus windproof overmitts for very
cold conditions

Socks

Two pairs – light or medium inner and heavy
wool or synthetic outer socks

Parka / Jacket

Loose fitting, filled with down or insulating fiber,
attached hood, outer layer of windproof fabric

Hand Protection
 Use tools and machine controls designed for
gloved hand operation
 Limit bare hand work to 10-20 minutes when
< 60ºF
 Use warm air jets, radiant heaters, contact
warm plates
 Use metal handles covered by thermal
insulating material
 Prevent contact frostbite when near metal
surfaces < 20ºF

Other Protective Controls
 Eat high calorie foods – carbohydrates/protein
 Consume warm, sweet drinks and soups
 Avoid coffee - a diuretic - causes water loss
increasing dehydration
 Avoid alcohol - a vasodilator - increases
peripheral heat loss
 Avoid smoking – nicotine - vasoconstrictor
and increases risk of frostbite
 Stay active in good physical condition

Safe Work Practices
 Avoid heavy perspiration
 Work in the warmest
hours of the day
 Minimize prolonged
sitting, standing
 Allow time to adjust to cold
 Do not work alone
 Watch for symptoms of cold-related illness

Cold Case Study
In Red Deer, a carpenter is working outside on a -20°C in February on a building
under construction on the 9th floor. The radio reports a general wind chill of –
27.

 Hazard assessment

–On the ninth floor, the wind is blowing between 20
and 25 km/h (about 15 mph).
–Wind is blowing from a side that has support beams
(but no walls).
–Carpenter needs to work without gloves. The work
involves moderate physical activity.
–Crew has worked at this location at least 2 months.

Cold Case Study
 Job hazard analysis and corrective action
 Workers use a work/warm-up schedule of 55
minutes of work, with 3 breaks, in a 4-hour shift
 Breaks taken in totally enclosed/heated room
 Measuring/layout on the 8th floor with walls
 Crew checks with “buddy” in every 30 minutes
 Everyone is dressed appropriately – three layers
 Warm drinks, soup provided in the break room

Summary
 Symptoms of hypothermia and frostbite
 First aid treatment
 Wind chill factor
 Engineering and administrative controls
 Protective clothing and staying dry


Quiz
1. The body responds to cold stress by shivering and
_____________________________________
2. Hypothermia can occur in air temperatures
as high as 65ºF.
True or False
3. Describe at least three symptoms of hypothermia.
4. Describe at least one form of environmental
protection for workers in the field.
5. Other risk factors of cold-related illness include:
certain medication, certain diseases, age, and
physical condition.
True or False

Quiz (cont.)
6. Drinking coffee will help workers stay warm.
True or False
7. Describe at least three symptoms of frostbite.
8. Warm up frostbitten areas by rubbing gently.
True or False
9. Environmental cold stress factors include:
temperature, wind, and __________________
10.Administrative controls, such as __________, can
be used to protect workers from overexposure to
cold conditions

Quiz Answers
1. Decreasing blood flow to the extremities
2. True, when other contributing factors
are present
3. Confusion, disorientation, slow heart rate and
breathing, shivering, blue lips, poor coordination,
slurred speech
4. Heated shelters, windscreens, heat sources, thermal
insulated tools
5. True


Quiz Answers (cont.)
6. False, coffee increases blood flow to the extremities
7. Cold sensation, tingling, aching, numbness,
white skin, waxy skin
8. False, rubbing will contribute to the skin damage
9. Dampness
10. Limiting work time or taking additional breaks


Working in Cold Environments How to Keep Workers Safe and Productive
When the Mercury Plunges

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Cold Stress Hazards and Prevention

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