Even in the northernmost continental states of the U.S., where such extreme measures are not often necessary, exposure to cold weather should never be taken lightly and should always be prepared for, especially in the dead of winter. The coldest location I've ever worked in was Ft. Peck, Montana, but the coldest I've ever been was in New Jersey in November. I had not prepared adequately for temperatures that fell only slightly below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The cowboy boots I chose to wear to the worksite were a big mistake. My feet were frozen the whole time, and from a production standpoint, once the feet get cold, you're a useless worker. I bought a pair of insulated, waterproof boots after that experience, and to this day I take them with me anytime there's the possibility of cold weather.
Many of the most useful measures to protect oneself from the cold are common sense. Don't wait for an unpleasant experience to err on the cautious side and select proper clothing for cold, wet, or windy conditions. Employers should have extra insulated clothing available for situations where temperatures drop unexpectedly below 40 degrees. Layer clothing to allow adjustments to changing environmental temperatures. Wear a hat and gloves in addition to polypropylene underwear that will keep water away from the skin. Take frequent short breaks in a warm, dry shelter to allow the body to warm up, and perform work at the warmest part of the day. Use the buddy system and avoid exhaustion or fatigue because energy is needed to keep muscles warm. Drink warm sweet beverages like sugar water and sports drinks, but avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol, and prepare for the cold with a warm, high-calorie meal such as pasta.
Certain workers are more at risk of distress from cold exposure than others. These include individuals with predisposing health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension. Also at greater risk are workers who are in poor physical condition, have a poor diet, are older, or take certain medications. But all workers can be at risk of frostbite and even hypothermia if the conditions are right but the preparations were not.
These are the warning signs of frostbite: deep layers of skin and tissue begin to freeze, and the skin becomes hard and numb, its color pale or waxy white. The fingers, hands, toes, feet, ears, and nose are most typically affected by frostbite.
If frostbite is suspected, the affected individual should be moved to a warm, dry area and not left alone. It's very important that the frostbitten person does not try to rub the affected area because rubbing causes damage to the skin and tissue. Wet or tight clothing that may cut off the blood flow to the affected area should be removed, and the area should be gently placed in warm (105 degree) water. The water temperature should be monitored to slowly warm the tissue for approximately 25 to 40 minutes. Don't pour warm water directly on the affected area because it will warm the tissue too quickly, causing tissue damage. After the area is warmed, it may have a feeling of burning or numbness and may be puffy and blistered. When normal feeling, movement, and skin color return, the affected area should be dried and wrapped to keep it warm. The skin cannot be allowed to get cold again as this will cause severe tissue damage, and, of course, medical attention should be sought as soon as possible.
These are the symptoms of hypothermia: fatigue or drowsiness, uncontrolled shivering, cool bluish skin, slurred speech, clumsy movements, and irritable, irrational, or confused behavior. The conditions for hypothermia can be deceiving; it can occur when land temperatures are above freezing or water temperatures are below 98.6 degrees. Cold-related illnesses can slowly overcome a person who has been chilled by low temperatures, brisk winds, or wet clothing. When the body is unable to warm itself, not only can serious cold-related illnesses and injuries occur, permanent tissue damage and death may result. At 30 degrees with no wind, skin can be exposed for an hour before it begins to freeze. When a 30 mile per hour wind is added to that 30 degrees, exposed flesh can begin to freeze within a minute.
Hypothermia occurs when the normal body temperature drops to or below 95 degrees. This is a medical emergency, and 911 or an ambulance should be called right away. While waiting for emergency assistance, move the affected person to a warm dry area, remove any wet clothing, and replace it with warm, dry clothing or blankets. Have the person drink warm, sweet drinks and avoid caffeine or alcohol. The person should try to move their arms and legs to create muscle heat, but if they are unable to do this, place warm bottles or hot packs in the arm pits, groin, neck, and head areas. As with frostbite, do not rub the body of a hypothermic person, but unlike frostbite, do not place them in warm water as it may cause the heart to stop.
Drillers in the Antarctic prove that regardless of how cold conditions get, work can usually continue in a healthy and safe environment, so long as one recognizes the environmental and workplace conditions that lead to potential cold-induced illnesses and injuries. This requires a workforce that is properly trained to learn the signs and symptoms of cold-induced medical issues and to know what to do to help an individual worker if problems should occur.
To access a list of industrial hygiene consultants who specialize in cold weather safety issues, visit the American Industrial Hygiene Association website at www.aiha.org.
