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Even with the worst winter weather behind us, cold still still pose a threat to South Dakota worker safety. According to a recently issued OSHA alert, when the human body gets cold, the blood flow shifts to focus on the internal organs. This adds stress to the outer skin and extremities as they rapidly cool due to the lack of blood flow. Lack of blood flow means the body doesn’t heat as effectively and starts to experience cold stress.

You may be amazed to learn that cold stress can occur at temperatures as warm as 50 degrees, if the conditions are right. If the blood flow is inhibited badly enough, cold stress leads to hypothermia. Inhibited blood flow to the hands, feet, arms, and legs can also lead to the tissues freezing. Tissue freezing, also called frostbite, can lead to limb amputation if severe enough.

These are a few of the concerns regarding South Dakota worker safety for individuals who work outdoors. Outdoor workers include emergency staff, and those who work in landscaping, construction, agriculture, roadwork or forestry.

Workers with high blood pressure and those who take certain medications are at a greater risk of experiencing cold stress or getting frostbite. Medications like anti-depressants, tranquilizers, and sedatives interfere with the body’s ability to heat itself. High blood pressure affects the efficiency of the body’s natural heating system.

Other individuals at a greater risk of experiencing cold stress are older workers. The natural aging process everyone experiences causes the body to heat less efficiently. An inefficient internal heating system means that an individual can get colder faster.

The level of cold stress an individual experiences is affected by four factors:

• dampness
• contact with chilly surfaces or cold water
• cold air temperatures
• wind

Wind has a greater impact on the level of cold stress than many people realize. Wind can cause moderate temperatures to become bone-chillingly cold. The higher the speed of the wind, the colder it will be outside, regardless of the air temperature.

Cold stress can be avoided by dressing appropriately. Head coverings are important since the body looses a lot of heat through the head. Keep clothing dry and drink warm non-alcoholic and caffeine-free beverages to keep the internal temperature even.

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