Winter Workplace Safety
9 Tips to Prevent Injuries & Accidents Among Employees
Winter Weather Hazards on Worksites
According to OSHA, “Environmental cold can affect any worker exposed to colder air temperatures and puts workers at risk of cold stress.”
While snow and ice are visible reminders of cold environments, the dangers of lower temperatures can even be found in warmer climates. Harsh winds can create hypothermia risks on an otherwise temperate worksite. Even a longer-than-expected trip to the walk-in freezer might turn hazardous.
Some of the common risks of cold stress to avoid include:
Frostbite
Frostbite happens when part of your body freezes, such as your toes or fingers. Tissue begins to die, potentially leading to amputations.
Signs of frostbite include developing gray, white, blue, purple or dark brown patches in the fingers, toes, nose, or ear lobes. The worsening discoloration is a sign of necrosis (tissue death). Early symptoms cause tingling, loss of feeling and blisters.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia occurs when your body temperature drops below 95F. Lowered core temperature threatens heart and lung function. That, in turn, impairs cognition, including speech and coordination. More than 600 people die of hypothermia each year in the U.S.
Symptoms include uncontrolled shivering, fatigue, disorientation, slurred speech and cold, pale skin.
Immersion/Trench Foot
Trench foot is caused by extended exposure to cold, wet conditions. Snow creates plenty of both, though the problem is common up to 60F. Even with heavy waterproof boots, sweat can build up against the skin over time.
Symptoms develop due to impaired blood flow to the lower legs and can include red skin, numbness, swelling, pain, blisters and even Gangrene.
Chilblains
Chilblains can occur when you expose your skin to temperatures ranging from just above freezing to 60F. It causes painful inflammation of the small blood vessels in your skin.
Symptoms can include patches of itching, blistering, inflammation and possibly ulceration on exposed skin or extremities like fingers and toes.
9 Winter Safety Tips for Employees
- Know the Symptoms of Cold Stress: Everyone working in lower-temperature environments should understand the symptoms and warning signs. For example, hypothermia awareness training can prepare you to recognize a dangerously low body temperature in a coworker who is slurring their speech.
- Dress Properly: Workers in colder outdoor conditions should wear at least three layers of loose-fitting clothing, insulated gloves and boots and cover their heads. One of the best frostbite prevention tips is to wear enough warm clothing to protect all skin from exposure.
- Monitor Your Physical Condition: You must take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone else. That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to your own physical and mental condition as you work in colder environments. If you start to experience noticeable pain or discomfort, significant fatigue or confusion, take a break in a warm, dry environment and assess your condition.
- Monitor Your Coworkers’ Physical Conditions: A confused victim may not know they are in danger. For example, if hypothermia develops and a person stops thinking clearly, they could stay outside much longer than they should, worsening their condition. Watch your coworkers and look for signs of cold-related stress.
- Take Frequent Breaks: The colder it is, the more frequently you should seek shelter and take rest breaks. Frequent resting periods in a warm environment allow employers to check for signs of impairment, assess dangerous conditions and prepare employees for more work in safety.
- Drink Warm Liquids: Drinking warm liquids helps warm up your internal body temperature in the winter. Drinking excessively cold beverages, including consuming snow or ice, can make cold stress worse.
- Account for Potential Worksite Hazards: Winter worksites can be hazardous for a variety of reasons. It’s colder, darker and often wet with melted snow or rain. Wet environments are especially dangerous for electrical hazards. Melted water can then refreeze and create ice, a physical hazard that can be dangerous or even deadly.
- Be Aware of Emergency Response Procedures: Employers, foremen, managers, employees — everyone on the worksite should have some level of training in occupational safety measures relevant to their position. Those in leadership positions should have a clear understanding of how to respond to emergencies.
- Perform Regular Inspections: Thoroughly inspect your work area, your equipment and environmental conditions. You can prevent workplace injuries and accidents by identifying risks early.
Merry Christmas to you & your family!