Whenever temperatures drop decidedly below normal and wind speed increases, heat can more rapidly leave your body. These weather-related conditions may lead to serious health problems collectively called "cold stress." What constitutes cold stress and its effects can vary across different areas of the country. In regions relatively unaccustomed to winter weather, near-freezing temperatures are considered factors for cold stress.

 

  

Hypothermia: Prolonged exposure to cold will deplete the body's stored energy, resulting in hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. Hypothermia affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not realize it is happening and will not be able to do anything about it.

 

Symptoms of hypothermia can vary depending on length of exposure to cold:

 

-Shivering

-Fatigue

-Loss of coordination

-Confusion and disorientation

 

 

-No shivering

-Blue skin

-Dilated pupils

-Slowed pulse and breathing

-Loss of consciousness

 

 

 

-Alert the supervisor and request medical assistance.

-Move the victim into a warm room or shelter.

-Remove wet clothing.

 

-Warm the center of their body first — chest, neck, head and groin — using an electric blanket, if available; or use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels or sheets.

 

-Warm beverages may help increase the body temperature, but do not give alcoholic beverages. Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person.

 

-After body temperature has increased, keep the victim dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including head and neck.

 

-If victim has no pulse, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

 

 

Frostbite: Freezing of the skin and underlying tissues can result in frostbite. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in the affected areas. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers or toes. Frostbite can permanently damage tissues, and severe cases can require amputation. The risk of frostbite increases in workers with reduced blood circulation and those who are not dressed properly.

-Reduced blood flow to hands and feet (fingers or toes can freeze)

-Numbness

-Tingling or stinging

-Aching

-Bluish or pale, waxy skin.

 

 

-Get into a warm room as soon as possible.

-Avoid walking on frostbitten feet or toes—this increases the damage.

-Immerse the affected area in warm—not hot—water.

-Warm the affected area using body heat; for example, the heat of an armpit can be used to warm frostbitten fingers.

-Avoid rubbing the frostbitten area; doing so may cause more damage.

-Not use a heating pad, heat lamp or the heat of a stove, fireplace or radiator for warming. Affected areas are numb and can be easily burned.

 

 

The following action steps can protect your workers from cold stress:

 

-Schedule maintenance and repair jobs in cold areas for warmer months.

-Schedule cold jobs for the warmer part of the day.

-Reduce the physical demands of workers.

-Use relief workers or assign extra workers for long, demanding jobs.

-Provide warm liquids to workers.

-Provide warm areas for use during break periods.

-Monitor workers who are at risk of cold stress.

-Provide cold stress training that includes information about:

 

 Worker risk

 

 Prevention

 

 Symptoms

 

 The importance of monitoring yourself and coworkers for symptoms

 

 Treatment

 

 Personal protective equipment

 

 

 

 

For more information, please contact the PCOC Insurance Program department of Jenkins Leavitt Insurance Services at (877) 860-7378 or, email us @ ProPest@Leavitt.com.