Hypothermia and Nine More Winter Workplace Hazards
A hot summer can make winter seem less dangerous, but don’t be fooled.
- By Karen D. Hamel
- Oct 03, 2022
After a summer with record-breaking heatwaves in many parts of the country, it can be tempting to relax and view the upcoming winter temperatures as a welcome relief. But winter brings its own challenges. Preparing now for snow, ice and sub-zero weather can help everyone to safely endure this winter’s chill.
Reviewing each of the jobs and tasks that will need to be performed outdoors during winter months and identifying the safety hazards associated with performing those duties are the first steps in creating a cold weather safety plan to minimize the risk of incidents.
Hypothermia and Frostbite
Hypothermia and frostbite are the most common types of cold stress injuries. They can occur at above freezing temperatures (40 degrees Fahrenheit,) with winds as low as five miles per hour. Injuries can happen even faster if employees are wearing wet clothing.
Staying safe doesn’t mean that all outdoor activities need to cease until spring. But, even workers who have had time to acclimate to working in cold conditions will still need modified work schedules, warming areas, appropriate outerwear and training to be able to recognize the first signs of cold exposure.
Reviewing data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Wind Chill Chart is a good starting point for planning outdoor work schedules. It uses the air temperature and wind speed to calculate how long an average adult can be outdoors before frostbite begins to set in.
The American College of Industrial Hygienists has also established cold stress Threshold Limit Values for people performing moderate and heavy workloads outdoors in low temperatures. Like NOAA’s recommendations, they factor in both air temperature and wind speed. However, workload is also considered as well as guidelines for working and warming cycles.
Slips and Falls
It’s not a coincidence that slip, trip and fall incidents are more prevalent in winter months. Snow and ice make walking surfaces slippery, and they can often mask obstacles like parking curbs, cracks and uneven pavement.
Although you can’t plan for snow or ice to happen on a particular day or at a particular time, being well prepared for inclement weather before it happens helps maintenance crews to tackle whatever Mother Nature sends their way.
This article originally appeared in the October 1, 2022 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.