Cold Stress - Tips While Working Outdoors

As the temperature drops and rain turns to snow, the risk of Cold Stress can become increasingly dangerous for workers exposed to the elements. Cold Stress is a condition that occurs when the body can no longer maintain its normal temperature and begins to drop. This drop can cause tissue damage to the skin and potentially death if the body cannot retain heat. In this blog we will examine the factors of Cold Stress, the two main types of Cold Stress, and how to spot the symptoms.
 
Factors of Cold Stress
While many people believe temperature is the main factor of Cold Stress, there are many others that affect the body in worse ways. These factors include:

• Wind Chill and Precipitation
• Wet, Damp, or Improper Clothing
• Predisposed Health Conditions (Hypertension and Diabetes)
• Poor Physical Conditioning

These factors along with air temperature are a dangerous combination for workers who are not prepared for the outdoors. To help combat these Cold Stress factors, workers should acclimate themselves to the cold weather, dress appropriately for the weather conditions, and consult a doctor to make sure their health and conditioning are in good standing.
 
Types of Cold Stress
The two main types of Cold Stress are Frostbite and Hypothermia. Frostbite is a skin condition that develops when the skin and underlying tissues freeze causing a serious rash. If not treated, the rash can cause the skin cells to die resulting in the affected area turning black. Hypothermia is a serious medical condition when your body cannot produce heat, causing your body to decrease in temperature and begin to shut down. If medical attention is not sought quickly, organ failure or death can occur. When working outdoors, the typical symptoms to monitor include:

• Frostbite
  • Prickly feeling turned to numbness
  • Discolored skin (red, white, purple, or brown depending on severity)
  • Joint or muscle stiffness
• Hypothermia
  • Shivering
  • Exhaustion, Confusion, or Drowsiness
  • Unconsciousness

If you or someone you are working with begin to show signs of Cold Stress, bring them indoors, check for rashes or wet clothing, monitor breathing/pulse, and seek medical attention if conditions worsen.
 
Cold Stress is one of the biggest safety concerns while working outdoors. Before you begin a long shift outside, make sure you know and understand the weather, your health, and how to spot the symptoms to keep yourself and others safe. To keep the conversation going, download the Cold Stress Toolbox Talk (TBT) or comment below.

Cold Stress