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Much of the Southeast is in the deep freeze this week, and Mississippi is no exception. That’s why OSHA has renewed warnings about the dangers of working in cold temperatures.

While cold weather work can be hazardous to anyone, it’s especially dangerous to construction workers, utility workers, emergency responders and others who must be outdoors.

A messy mix of snow, sleet and rain pummeled the Southeast over the weekend, resulting in up to 5 inches of accumulated snow. While schools and many businesses closed, others remain open. That’s why it’s so important for employers and workers to keep safety in mind.

The hazards of cold temperatures are greatly magnified when working in windy or wet conditions.

Driving on the job also presents myriad hazards in cold weather. Visibility may be poor, roads are slick and icy, and other drivers may not be as cautious as they should be.

This week’s storm is just the most recent in a series of hazards for Mississippi workers. In early January, severe thunderstorms knocked out power in many areas of Mississippi and Alabama. Several tornado watches or warnings were issued. Buildings and buses were damaged at a school in Caledonia, Mississippi. In Choctaw County, a woman was injured when barns at a large dairy farm were severely damaged by high winds.

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) warns employers that outdoor workers face hazards from cold weather now that winter has arrived.

Workers in certain industries are particularly at risk, such as utility workers, construction and road workers, snow removal employees and agricultural workers. Emergency response workers are also at risk for cold weather injuries and illnesses.

Specific conditions that can result from cold weather include frostbite, cold stress, trench foot and hypothermia.

Whenever the weather is windy or wet, in addition to being cold, Mississippi employers must take extra precautions to protect workers from cold stress, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA. One important precaution is to always have employees work in pairs. That’s because an employee suffering from cold stress or hypothermia may become disoriented, confused or even irrational. In extreme cases, workers who are dying from the cold will feel too hot and begin tearing off their clothes.

Cold stress is defined as the body being unable to warm itself. Hypothermia, which can result when cold stress isn’t treated, occurs when the body temperature drops below 95 degrees. These conditions can occur in windy, wet conditions, even if the temperature is above freezing.

In fact, hypothermia can occur anytime water drops below body temperature, or 98.6 degrees.

To avoid illness and injury, outdoor employees should work in pairs. They can watch each other for signs of cold stress, which can build up gradually. Symptoms include drowsiness, fatigue, slurred speech, and uncontrolled shivering. The skin can appeal cool, too, and be slightly blue. Irrational behavior, irritability and confusion can also be signs of cold stress.

A worker showing signs of cold stress must get help immediately. After calling emergency services, coworkers or supervisors need to get the employee to somewhere dry and warm. The injured person can be given warm beverages such as warmed sports drinks or sugar water, but no alcohol. Caffeinated drinks like tea, coffee and hot chocolate should be avoided, too, as they can actually inhibit the warming process.

The employee’s wet clothing should be taken off and replaced with dry clothing, if available. Otherwise, remove the wet items and wrap the worker in blankets. If the injured person is able, get him or her to move his arms and legs. This will create body heat. If the person can’t move, place hot packs around the head and neck, under the arms and in the groin area.

Do not put the employee into a hot bath. Warming the body too quickly can cause heart failure.

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