What To Do When It’s C-C-Cold
If your idea of preparing for winter involves plucking a light jacket out of storage – and only on the ‘coolest’ days – then you needn’t try to relate to the working conditions that tens of millions of North Americans endure for several months every year. But people who face potential exposure to winter’s wrath while on the job should be aware of some valuable information from the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA):
Anyone who toils outdoors or in unheated structures during the winter months is at risk for serious health problems including trench foot, frostbite and hypothermia, according to OSHA. In extreme cases, including cold water immersion, exposure can lead to death. Danger signs include uncontrolled shivering, slurred speech, clumsy movements, fatigue and confused behavior. If these signs are observed, call for emergency help.
Hypothermia and frostbite can be two of the serious consequences of working outdoors in winter weather. Hypothermia is a dangerous lowering of the body’s temperature by exposure to cold or wet conditions. Actually, the air temperature doesn’t have to be particularly low to cause hypothermia – just getting wet and chilled can do the same thing.