Working outdoors in winter: the cold, hard facts
According to the , almost half of all jobs in the country involve some degree of outdoor work. When winter blows in, it becomes even more critical to take steps to keep those employees safe.
Understanding cold stress
The negative effects of prolonged exposure to cold can take on several forms. These conditions 鈥� sometimes collectively referred to as 鈥渃old stress鈥� 鈥� can be exacerbated for workers who perform physical tasks outdoors, as the body has to work harder to stay warm.
Here鈥檚 what to watch for1. If you have a worker exhibiting any of these symptoms, get them out of the cold immediately.
- Hypothermia 鈥� This occurs when body temperature drops below 95 degrees. One of the early signs of hypothermia is shivering, so it鈥檚 important to note when employees begin to show this symptom. Encourage outdoor workers to keep an eye on one another, as hypothermia is easier to reverse when detected early. These workers should be taken indoors and giving a hot meal or drink to increase body temperature. In more severe cases, a doctor should be called.
- Frostbite 鈥� Tell-tale signs include redness, pain, numbness, a gray-yellow color to the skin, or an unusually 鈥渨axy鈥� feel. In the event of frostbite, gently warm the affected area with warm (and not hot) water, until its appearance becomes closer to normal.2
- Trench foot or 鈥渋mmersion foot鈥� 鈥� This can take the form of redness, pain, tingling, cramps, blisters and numbness due the prolonged wetness, especially when combined with the cold. Remove any wet clothing, and, as with frostbite, treat the affected areas with warm water. 3
A toast to your health
Hydration and warm liquids are both vital to helping the body keep warm when core temperature begins to drop. However, both caffeine and alcohol should be avoided.1
Don鈥檛 brrr-ave the wind
One of the biggest hazards of winter weather is the wind, and if the temperature is low enough, even a slight breeze can make prolonged exposure dangerous. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides a outlining recommended scheduling for outdoor workers, including warm-up times, shift lengths and frequency of breaks.
Dress the part
Make sure non-uniformed workers are making responsible clothing choices when they head out in the cold. These include:
- Avoiding cotton clothing, which doesn鈥檛 retain heat as well as some other fabrics. Thermal wear, wool and 鈥渕oisture-wicking鈥� material are effective alternatives.
- Wearing loose clothing, in layers, which leads to increased insulation and circulation. Plus, layers can easily be removed when a worker gets too warm.
- Removing wet clothing immediately. One statistic shows that the body loses heat five times faster through wet clothing.4
Don鈥檛 slip up
Exposure isn鈥檛 the only hazard presented by winter conditions. In fact, slips, trips and falls are among the most common workers鈥� compensation claims 鈥� in the winter, and all year round 鈥� comprising roughly 25% of such claims.5 Additionally, more than 80% of these claims result from falls that don鈥檛 involve heights.6 There are many preventative measures 鈥� some common sense, some lesser known 鈥� that can help you avoid these sorts of claims.
Don鈥檛 get left out in the cold
Having the right protection applies not just to clothing, but also to insurance. 华体会 offers expertise and resources that can help keep your outdoor staff safe in the winter months. Also, talk to your independent insurance agent to see how 华体会鈥檚 workers' compensation coverage can form part of a total insurance solution for your business.
Sources:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. 华体会 Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (鈥溁寤徕�) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you.华体会 does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.
LC Jan 2019-01
Related resources
Working outdoors in winter: the cold, hard facts
According to the , almost half of all jobs in the country involve some degree of outdoor work. When winter blows in, it becomes even more critical to take steps to keep those employees safe.
Understanding cold stress
The negative effects of prolonged exposure to cold can take on several forms. These conditions 鈥� sometimes collectively referred to as 鈥渃old stress鈥� 鈥� can be exacerbated for workers who perform physical tasks outdoors, as the body has to work harder to stay warm.
Here鈥檚 what to watch for1. If you have a worker exhibiting any of these symptoms, get them out of the cold immediately.
- Hypothermia 鈥� This occurs when body temperature drops below 95 degrees. One of the early signs of hypothermia is shivering, so it鈥檚 important to note when employees begin to show this symptom. Encourage outdoor workers to keep an eye on one another, as hypothermia is easier to reverse when detected early. These workers should be taken indoors and giving a hot meal or drink to increase body temperature. In more severe cases, a doctor should be called.
- Frostbite 鈥� Tell-tale signs include redness, pain, numbness, a gray-yellow color to the skin, or an unusually 鈥渨axy鈥� feel. In the event of frostbite, gently warm the affected area with warm (and not hot) water, until its appearance becomes closer to normal.2
- Trench foot or 鈥渋mmersion foot鈥� 鈥� This can take the form of redness, pain, tingling, cramps, blisters and numbness due the prolonged wetness, especially when combined with the cold. Remove any wet clothing, and, as with frostbite, treat the affected areas with warm water. 3
A toast to your health
Hydration and warm liquids are both vital to helping the body keep warm when core temperature begins to drop. However, both caffeine and alcohol should be avoided.1
Don鈥檛 brrr-ave the wind
One of the biggest hazards of winter weather is the wind, and if the temperature is low enough, even a slight breeze can make prolonged exposure dangerous. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides a outlining recommended scheduling for outdoor workers, including warm-up times, shift lengths and frequency of breaks.
Dress the part
Make sure non-uniformed workers are making responsible clothing choices when they head out in the cold. These include:
- Avoiding cotton clothing, which doesn鈥檛 retain heat as well as some other fabrics. Thermal wear, wool and 鈥渕oisture-wicking鈥� material are effective alternatives.
- Wearing loose clothing, in layers, which leads to increased insulation and circulation. Plus, layers can easily be removed when a worker gets too warm.
- Removing wet clothing immediately. One statistic shows that the body loses heat five times faster through wet clothing.4
Don鈥檛 slip up
Exposure isn鈥檛 the only hazard presented by winter conditions. In fact, slips, trips and falls are among the most common workers鈥� compensation claims 鈥� in the winter, and all year round 鈥� comprising roughly 25% of such claims.5 Additionally, more than 80% of these claims result from falls that don鈥檛 involve heights.6 There are many preventative measures 鈥� some common sense, some lesser known 鈥� that can help you avoid these sorts of claims.
Don鈥檛 get left out in the cold
Having the right protection applies not just to clothing, but also to insurance. 华体会 offers expertise and resources that can help keep your outdoor staff safe in the winter months. Also, talk to your independent insurance agent to see how 华体会鈥檚 workers' compensation coverage can form part of a total insurance solution for your business.
Sources:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. 华体会 Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (鈥溁寤徕�) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you.华体会 does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.
LC Jan 2019-01
Related resources
Working outdoors in winter: the cold, hard facts
According to the , almost half of all jobs in the country involve some degree of outdoor work. When winter blows in, it becomes even more critical to take steps to keep those employees safe.
Understanding cold stress
The negative effects of prolonged exposure to cold can take on several forms. These conditions 鈥� sometimes collectively referred to as 鈥渃old stress鈥� 鈥� can be exacerbated for workers who perform physical tasks outdoors, as the body has to work harder to stay warm.
Here鈥檚 what to watch for1. If you have a worker exhibiting any of these symptoms, get them out of the cold immediately.
- Hypothermia 鈥� This occurs when body temperature drops below 95 degrees. One of the early signs of hypothermia is shivering, so it鈥檚 important to note when employees begin to show this symptom. Encourage outdoor workers to keep an eye on one another, as hypothermia is easier to reverse when detected early. These workers should be taken indoors and giving a hot meal or drink to increase body temperature. In more severe cases, a doctor should be called.
- Frostbite 鈥� Tell-tale signs include redness, pain, numbness, a gray-yellow color to the skin, or an unusually 鈥渨axy鈥� feel. In the event of frostbite, gently warm the affected area with warm (and not hot) water, until its appearance becomes closer to normal.2
- Trench foot or 鈥渋mmersion foot鈥� 鈥� This can take the form of redness, pain, tingling, cramps, blisters and numbness due the prolonged wetness, especially when combined with the cold. Remove any wet clothing, and, as with frostbite, treat the affected areas with warm water. 3
A toast to your health
Hydration and warm liquids are both vital to helping the body keep warm when core temperature begins to drop. However, both caffeine and alcohol should be avoided.1
Don鈥檛 brrr-ave the wind
One of the biggest hazards of winter weather is the wind, and if the temperature is low enough, even a slight breeze can make prolonged exposure dangerous. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides a outlining recommended scheduling for outdoor workers, including warm-up times, shift lengths and frequency of breaks.
Dress the part
Make sure non-uniformed workers are making responsible clothing choices when they head out in the cold. These include:
- Avoiding cotton clothing, which doesn鈥檛 retain heat as well as some other fabrics. Thermal wear, wool and 鈥渕oisture-wicking鈥� material are effective alternatives.
- Wearing loose clothing, in layers, which leads to increased insulation and circulation. Plus, layers can easily be removed when a worker gets too warm.
- Removing wet clothing immediately. One statistic shows that the body loses heat five times faster through wet clothing.4
Don鈥檛 slip up
Exposure isn鈥檛 the only hazard presented by winter conditions. In fact, slips, trips and falls are among the most common workers鈥� compensation claims 鈥� in the winter, and all year round 鈥� comprising roughly 25% of such claims.5 Additionally, more than 80% of these claims result from falls that don鈥檛 involve heights.6 There are many preventative measures 鈥� some common sense, some lesser known 鈥� that can help you avoid these sorts of claims.
Don鈥檛 get left out in the cold
Having the right protection applies not just to clothing, but also to insurance. 华体会 offers expertise and resources that can help keep your outdoor staff safe in the winter months. Also, talk to your independent insurance agent to see how 华体会鈥檚 workers' compensation coverage can form part of a total insurance solution for your business.
Sources:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. 华体会 Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (鈥溁寤徕�) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you.华体会 does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.
LC Jan 2019-01
Related resources
Working outdoors in winter: the cold, hard facts
According to the , almost half of all jobs in the country involve some degree of outdoor work. When winter blows in, it becomes even more critical to take steps to keep those employees safe.
Understanding cold stress
The negative effects of prolonged exposure to cold can take on several forms. These conditions 鈥� sometimes collectively referred to as 鈥渃old stress鈥� 鈥� can be exacerbated for workers who perform physical tasks outdoors, as the body has to work harder to stay warm.
Here鈥檚 what to watch for1. If you have a worker exhibiting any of these symptoms, get them out of the cold immediately.
- Hypothermia 鈥� This occurs when body temperature drops below 95 degrees. One of the early signs of hypothermia is shivering, so it鈥檚 important to note when employees begin to show this symptom. Encourage outdoor workers to keep an eye on one another, as hypothermia is easier to reverse when detected early. These workers should be taken indoors and giving a hot meal or drink to increase body temperature. In more severe cases, a doctor should be called.
- Frostbite 鈥� Tell-tale signs include redness, pain, numbness, a gray-yellow color to the skin, or an unusually 鈥渨axy鈥� feel. In the event of frostbite, gently warm the affected area with warm (and not hot) water, until its appearance becomes closer to normal.2
- Trench foot or 鈥渋mmersion foot鈥� 鈥� This can take the form of redness, pain, tingling, cramps, blisters and numbness due the prolonged wetness, especially when combined with the cold. Remove any wet clothing, and, as with frostbite, treat the affected areas with warm water. 3
A toast to your health
Hydration and warm liquids are both vital to helping the body keep warm when core temperature begins to drop. However, both caffeine and alcohol should be avoided.1
Don鈥檛 brrr-ave the wind
One of the biggest hazards of winter weather is the wind, and if the temperature is low enough, even a slight breeze can make prolonged exposure dangerous. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides a outlining recommended scheduling for outdoor workers, including warm-up times, shift lengths and frequency of breaks.
Dress the part
Make sure non-uniformed workers are making responsible clothing choices when they head out in the cold. These include:
- Avoiding cotton clothing, which doesn鈥檛 retain heat as well as some other fabrics. Thermal wear, wool and 鈥渕oisture-wicking鈥� material are effective alternatives.
- Wearing loose clothing, in layers, which leads to increased insulation and circulation. Plus, layers can easily be removed when a worker gets too warm.
- Removing wet clothing immediately. One statistic shows that the body loses heat five times faster through wet clothing.4
Don鈥檛 slip up
Exposure isn鈥檛 the only hazard presented by winter conditions. In fact, slips, trips and falls are among the most common workers鈥� compensation claims 鈥� in the winter, and all year round 鈥� comprising roughly 25% of such claims.5 Additionally, more than 80% of these claims result from falls that don鈥檛 involve heights.6 There are many preventative measures 鈥� some common sense, some lesser known 鈥� that can help you avoid these sorts of claims.
Don鈥檛 get left out in the cold
Having the right protection applies not just to clothing, but also to insurance. 华体会 offers expertise and resources that can help keep your outdoor staff safe in the winter months. Also, talk to your independent insurance agent to see how 华体会鈥檚 workers' compensation coverage can form part of a total insurance solution for your business.
Sources:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. 华体会 Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (鈥溁寤徕�) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you.华体会 does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.
LC Jan 2019-01