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OSHA, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, reminds businesses in Louisiana and throughout the nation, that winter cold brings the hazards of cold stress, frostbite and hypothermia to the workplace.

In the Midwest, a major winter storm recently knocked out power for almost a month. After that storm, another one hit many of the same areas. These conditions can be dangerous for any employee, but outdoor workers are particularly at risk.

Cold stress occurs when the body can’t warm itself. When working in cold air, windy or wet conditions, the body expends more energy to heat itself. It does this by drawing blood away from the limbs to maintain the warmth of the internal organs. Arms, legs, hands, feet, ears and the nose then have less blood flowing to them and are exceptionally susceptible to frostbite.

While Louisiana employers don’t usually have to worry about frostbite, hypothermia is a constant risk. The temperatures don’t have to be freezing to create a hazard.

OSHA warns that even at 50 degrees, an employee in wet, windy conditions can experience cold stress. Also, some workers are more susceptible to cold stress than others. Medications can affect body heat, so persons on tranquilizers, antidepressants or sedatives may be at higher risk. Older employees can be more susceptible, because as the body ages it becomes less efficient at warming itself.

It is important, therefore, that all workers take a few safety measures to prevent cold-related illnesses and injuries.

First, every worker needs to wear clothing appropriate for the weather. Be sure to dress in layers, and to avoid getting wet, particularly when it’s windy. Each worker should take several breaks from the cold, either indoors, in a heated vehicle, or a warm area out of the wind. Warm beverages, not hot, are a good way to assist the body’s heating process, as are warm carbohydrate-rich meals.

Avoid caffeine and alcohol. These types of drinks actually impair the body’s warming system.

Working outdoors exposes employees to the hazards of cold, windy and wet conditions. Recently, both the Louisiana OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and the federal OSHA sent out alerts regarding the dangers of Cold Stress and Trench Foot.

When considering how to protect against these dangers, the temperature, the wind speed and the exposure to water are all important actors. Even in milder temperatures, employees working in wet and windy conditions can be at risk for cold-weather illness and injury. The combination of the air and wind (wind chill), and dampness, can significantly lower the body’s temperature.

Trench Foot, a disease first discovered in World War I, can be the result of a worker standing in water for extended periods of time. The symptoms can include itching, burning and blisters, much like the symptoms of frostbite. Trench Foot is a sign of cold stress and can expose the employee to injury and illness.

Cold stress, which is a precursor of hypothermia, occurs when the body is exposed to cold and is no longer able to efficiently warm itself. To help prevent cold stress, employees are encouraged to take frequent breaks out of the cold, and to work in pairs to watch each other for symptoms.

The most important step is dressing for the weather. OSHA recommends workers wear at least three layers of clothing, a hat and insulated footwear. If the employee works around water, the footwear should also be waterproof. Staying dry is important. If a worker’s clothes get wet, he or she should change into dry clothing.

Treating cold stress, in mild cases, is fairly straightforward. First, the employee should move out of the cold and into a warm, dry area. Second, any wet clothes should be replaced with dry ones, or with warm blankets. The worker should drink warm beverages, but not coffee or hot chocolate. These drinks contain caffeine, which can slow the body’s warming process. Alcohol should be avoided, too.

In more severe cases, workers or supervisors should call for emergency medical assistance.

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