Overview :

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has made recommendations to reduce the risk to workers working in a cold environment. These recommendations can apply to anyone who may be exposed to low temperatures.

Educational:

(1) Instruct the workers about cold-induced disorders and injuries. Train them to recognize early signs of cold injury.

(2) Instruct the workers about weather and work conditions with increased risk.

(3) Instruct the workers in how to dress for cold weather, including layering of clothing.

(4) Instruct the workers on how to avoid becoming wet and what to do if they become wet.

(5) Instruct the workers about the effects of medications and comorbid disease (diabetes, coronary artery disease, hypertension) on the response to cold exposure.

Operational:

(1) Schedule the workers to work in groups of 2 or more (buddy system).

(2) Try to schedule work during the warmest part of the day.

(3) Monitor the weather for conditions that may increase the risk of working outside. Cancel nonessential work if the conditions are hazardous.

(4) Provide a warm, dry shelter with wind protection for workers to use during breaks.

(5) Workers with health conditions or medications that have an increased risk for cold-induced disease should be assigned to duties that minimize risk of cold-induced disease.

(6) Tools should be provided that can be used with gloves or cold weather clothing. Place thermal insulating materials on equipment handles.

(7) Provide a means of emergency communication.

(8) Make sure workers have extra clothing to replace those that become wet.

(9) Minimize situations that reduce the circulation, such as sitting or standing still for long periods of time.

Support:

(1) Keep workers hydrated with warm, sweet, non-caffeinated beverages.

(2) Avoid drinks containing caffeine, hot chocolate (not quite sure why) or alcohol.

(3) Eat warm, high-calorie foods.

(4) Let the workers work at their own pace. Be sure workers take regular breaks to warm up.

(5) Avoid exhaustion or excessive fatigue when working.

(6) Avoid activities that cause heavy perspiration.

(7) Watch for danger signs - uncontrolled shivering, slurred speech, clumsiness, euphoria, drowsiness, and confuse behavior.

OSHA offers tips to protect workers in cold environments. OSHA Trade Release. December 9, 2004. www.osha.gov. US Department of Labor.

Protecting workers in cold environments. Fact sheet No. OSHA 98-55. December, 1998.