Cold Weather And Winter Safety
Cold temperatures can compromise the safety of workers in outdoor occupations, including construction and utility workers, emergency responders, firefighters, and employees in refrigerated or cold storage facilities. Cold weather can expose workers to cold stress, a serious workplace hazard that can lead to frostbite, hypothermia, and trench foot—all of which can be severe or even fatal. Preparing your team to recognize and prevent cold stress is essential for working safely in cold environments.
What Is Cold Stress?
Cold stress is a condition that occurs when the body can no longer maintain its normal core temperature. A cold environment forces the body to work harder to stay warm. As temperatures drop below freezing and wind speeds increase, heat leaves the body more rapidly as skin temperature decreases. Over time, the body redirects blood flow away from the extremities (hands, feet, arms, and legs) to protect the core (chest and abdomen). This can lead to serious health problems, tissue damage, and, in severe cases, death. OSHA identifies several common cold stress risk factors, including:
- Working in wet or damp environments or wearing damp clothing
- Wearing clothing that does not provide adequate protection against cold temperatures
- Pre-existing health conditions, including hypertension, hypothyroidism, and diabetes
- Poor physical conditioning or physical exhaustion
Signs and Symptoms of Cold Stress
Take action at the first sign of cold stress to prevent symptoms from worsening. Take frequent breaks in warm, dry areas and drink warm beverages to help regulate body temperature. If clothing becomes wet and exposure to the cold will continue, change into dry clothing as soon as possible.
Common warning signs of cold stress include:
- Reddening or blistering skin
- Tingling or numbness
- Pain or leg cramping
- Swelling
How to Prevent Cold Stress in the Workplace
Dressing properly is one of the most effective ways to prevent cold stress and maintain worker safety in cold environments. The type of fabric worn and the number of clothing layers significantly affect protection from the cold. OSHA recommends the following best practices when working in cold environments:
- Wear at least three layers of loose-fitting clothing to improve insulation.
- Wear an inner layer of wool, silk, or synthetic fabric to wick moisture away and keep the body dry.
- Wear a middle layer of wool or synthetic material for insulation.
- Wear an outer weather-resistant layer that allows ventilation to help prevent overheating.
- Wear cold protection clothing, including knit hats and earmuffs, to reduce heat loss through the head.
- Use a knit face mask or balaclava to help protect the face and mouth.
- Protect your hands with water-resistant and/or insulated gloves.
- Wear insulated, waterproof boots and footwear designed for cold weather.
Preventing Slips and Falls During Winter
Cold weather often brings icy, slippery surfaces. Employers should promptly remove ice and snow from walking areas and provide clear, safe paths to and from buildings, sidewalks, and parking lots. To help reduce the risk of slips and falls, use ice melting products such as rock salt (A&M order #276330 or comparable), calcium chloride pellets (A&M order #102579 or comparable), or magnesium chloride pellets (A&M order #4546569 or comparable) to improve traction. For workers who must walk on snow or ice, properly insulated boots and footwear that provide good traction are essential.
Improve Winter Safety at Your Facility
A&M Industrial's dedicated Safety Team can perform winter workplace safety evaluations and identify practical steps to help keep your employees safe in cold weather. We also provide respirator fit testing, Lockout/Tagout services, PPE assessments, and other workplace safety services. To request assistance, contact our Safety Team. To shop current winter safety and PPE promotions, visit our promotions page.