Working in the Cold
P R E S E N T E D B Y: D O N W I L L I S
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Today’s topic is C O L D
What are the dangers of working in cold weather?
What should you watch for?
What can happen if you don’t take precautions?
How can these conditions be treated?
What is the best prevention?
Working in the Cold
What is the body’s
response to cold?
Working in the Cold
Wind Chill
When the temperature
is low and the wind is
blowing, you need
greater protection for
your skin and body
because wind
increases the risk that
your flesh will freeze
Working in the Cold
Hypothermia
The body is unable to retain its core temperature
Frostbite
Skin tissue freezes, blood vessels are damaged
Hypothermia
When body
temperature
drops, the first
symptoms are:
Shivering
Blue lips and
fingers
Poor coordination
Hypothermia
As body temperature In the worst cases,
continues to drop, hypothermia causes:
symptoms worsen: Unconsciousness
Confusion Heartbeat may not be
Faulty thinking heard
Slower heartbeat No shivering
Shallow breathing No detectable
breathing
Ultimately, death
Hypothermia
Treatment
Gently take the person
to shelter – sudden
movements may
disturb heart rhythm
Keep the person awake
Remove wet clothing;
wrap in warm blankets
Gradually warm neck,
underarms, groin (NOT
extremities)
Hypothermia
Apply direct body heat
If person is conscious,
give warm, sweet
drinks
Monitor breathing;
administer artificial
respiration if
necessary
Get medical help as
soon as possible
Hypothermia
Prevention
Understand the dangers
Take shivering people to shelter
Avoid cold exposure if you have heart ailment, lung
disorder, diabetes
Eat high-calorie foods
Drink soups and warm, sweet beverages
Take regular breaks in a shelter
Remove damp or wet clothing immediately
Prevention
Clothing
Prevention
Workers showing any of these signs should
immediately seek shelter:
Extreme shivering
Fatigue
Drowsiness
Irritability
Confusion
Others should monitor their symptoms and
get medical help if worker’s condition
worsens or fails to improve
Frostbite
When skin is exposed to
extreme cold, or is in
contact with extremely
cold items (especially
metal), heat is lost or, in
the latter case,
transferred to the item
Early symptoms include
a prickling sensation,
numbness, waxy
appearance – not always
pain
Frostbite
Frostbite is most
likely to affect your
face, ears, fingers,
and toes
Left untreated,
frostbite blackens
and blisters the skin;
may cause gangrene
Frostbite
It’s not pretty! You can lose your
toes!
Frostbite
Treatment
Frostbite
People at Added Risk
Those who have had frostbite previously
Those with heart ailments
Those with asthma, bronchitis, or diabetes
Those with vibration/white finger disease
Those on certain medications (check with a health
care practitioner)
Prevention
Preventive Measures:
Do not leave skin
exposed
Prevention
When possible:
Schedule outdoor work for warmer times of day
Reduce physical exertion in cold weather
Job-share to reduce length of time each worker is
exposed
Have warm liquids available (not caffeine or alcohol)
Have a shelter nearby
Monitor co-workers’ appearance & behavior
Keep blankets, matches, rain gear, extra clothes and
emergency food supplies nearby
Share information about effects of cold exposure with
co-workers
