Colorado Cold Stress

Colorado employers need to be aware of the hazards of cold stress in the workplace. Cold temperatures, wet conditions, and wind chill can combine to make a dangerous mixture of winter weather hazards in the workplace.

Cold stress can be treated relatively easily if it is a mild case. An important step is to move to a warm, dry area and remain active. Remove all damp clothes and drink a warm liquid. But avoid alcohol and any caffeinated beverages such as tea, cocoa, or coffee, because they will slow down the body’s warming process.

If the case is severe, however, it may lead to hypothermia. Call an ambulance right away. Medical professionals will know what to do to deal with serious cold stress.

A Colorado alert by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, otherwise known as OSHA, has been issued. It specifies the safety hazards of cold, damp weather, and lists some of the dangers as cold stress and trench foot.

To prevent cold stress, it is important to dress in layers of warm, dry clothes. The head and extremities should be covered. Headgear will assist the body in staying warm. Frequent breaks in warm places are important. Try to avoid getting wet because coming into contact with cold water will make it more difficult for the body to stay warm. In both extreme cold and extreme heat, employees should work in pairs in a “buddy system.” That way each can keep an eye on the other for signs of weather-related problems.

Trench foot received its name during World War I, when it was first described. During that war, soldiers sat in trenches for long periods of time, their feet soaking in cold water. The result was trench foot, which causes burning, blisters and itching. It is much like, but not as severe as, frostbite.

Wind child, simply described, is a combination of air temperature and wind speed. As the wind speed increases, the wind chill temperature goes down. A day that seems deceptively moderate based on thermometer temperature, can become a risky environment. The skin reacts to wind chill temperatures, not the thermometer temperature alone.

Safe work practices and appropriate clothing are the key elements in protecting employees from the dangers of outdoor work in cold temperatures.

OSHA has developed a series of common-sense recommendations covering both of these approaches to cold weather work safety.

Proper clothing is a vital element. Employers will often provide cold weather clothes to employees who work in the cold for an extended period, whether outdoors or in a freezer.

Keep in mind that the type of fabric chosen is crucial because cotton loses its ability to insulate when it is wet. Wool, however, works as an insulator even when soaked.

OSHA makes the following clothing recommendations:

  • Wear loose clothes for better insulation and ventilation.
  • Wear insulated footwear. In wet conditions it should be waterproof.
  • Keep spare dry clothes in a warm location.
  • Wear a hat. 40 degrees of body heat can be lost otherwise.

OSHA also recommends 3 layers of clothes. The outer layer should be nylon or Gortex as a windbreaker. The next layer should be down or wool to absorb sweat and provide insulation. The innermost layer may be synthetics or cotton for ventilation.

Train workers and supervisors to spot the signs of cold stress, such as irrational behavior, disorientation, and confusion. Employees should work in pairs so each can spot signs of cold stress in the other. Urge employees to drink lots of liquids (dehydration is a problem in cold weather) but avoid caffeine or alcohol, because they reduce the body’s ability to stay warm. Cigarette smoking and certain prescription drugs have the same effect.

Schedule extra breaks, in a warm building or vehicle. Workers should eat warm foods that are high in calories, like pasta. Provide radiant heaters in work areas. Temporary shelters cut drafts and wind. Cover metal handles with insulation, particularly when temperatures go below 30 degrees.

Supervisors should let workers take an extra break, or interrupt their work, if they feel exceptionally uncomfortable.

These steps are important because cold stress results in frostbite, hypothermia, and trench foot.

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