Hope you enjoy our January 2016 Cold Weather Work Safety Meeting. Armor Safety & Rescue provides the most experienced instructors, confined space rescue teams, and on site safety personnel. All staff are Houston area firefighters with first hand experience. Call us today for a quote!
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Working in cold weather
can expose workers to
environmental cold injuries
Hundreds of workers
report cases involving days
away from work caused by
exposure to
environmental cold
each year
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Environmental cold can
affect any worker,
especially those who work
outdoors and are involved
in support activities for oil
and gas operations
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Environmental cold puts workers at
risk of cold stress and slips, trips,
and falls caused by icy and snow-
covered surfaces
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Cold stress happens when your body
cannot regulate its temperature
First your skin temperature drops, then
your core body temperature
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There are several different types
of cold stress, including
• Hypothermia
• Frostbite
• Trench foot
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Hypothermia happens when
your body temperature drops
to less than 90°F
Symptoms include
uncontrolled shivering, loss of
coordination and slurred
speech, and slow breathing
and heart rate
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Frostbite happens when your
skin and tissues freeze
Symptoms include reddened
skin with gray or white patches
on the fingers, toes, nose, or
ear lobes
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Trench foot affects your feet
when they are exposed to wet
and cold conditions for a long
period of time
Symptoms include reddened
skin and tingling, pain, and
swelling
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Certain factors put you at
higher risk of cold stress,
such as
• High wind speeds
• Working in wet or damp
environments
• Dressing improperly for
the weather
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Health problems like
hypertension,
hypothyroidism, and
diabetes can also put you
at higher risk
Exhaustion and poor
physical fitness may
also increase your risk
of cold stress
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Companies must help prevent
cold stress by training workers
on
• How to recognize the
environmental and
workplace conditions that
can lead to cold stress
• The symptoms of cold stress,
how to prevent it, and what
to do to help affected
workers
• How to select proper
clothing for cold,
wet, and windy
conditions
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Workers can prevent cold stress
by monitoring themselves and other
workers for cold stress symptoms
• Uncontrolled shivering
• Loss of coordination, slurred
speech, and confusion
• Slow breathing and heart rate
• Reddened skin and blisters
• Gray or white patches in the
extremities
• Tingling, pain, swelling, or
numbness
• Leg cramps
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Wear the right clothes for
cold weather work
• At least three layers of
loose fitting clothing
• An insulated coat or jacket
• A knit mask to cover your
face and mouth
• A hat that covers your ears
• Insulated gloves
• Insulated,
waterproof
boots
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When walking on snow or ice, wear
insulated and water resistant boots
or rubber over-shoes with good rubber
treads
Take short steps and walk at a slower
pace
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When working at elevated
heights during cold weather
• Plan ahead for safe snow
removal
• Wear fall protection
• Make sure ladders are used
safely
• Clear snow and ice from
surfaces
• Use extreme caution when
working near power lines
• Take steps to prevent
harmful exposure to
cold temperatures
and
overexertion
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Remember, prepare for cold
weather work
• Be alert for symptoms of cold
stress
• Dress appropriately and stay
dry
• Use engineering controls, safe
work practices, and PPE
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