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Recently, tornados in the south have spurred new OSHA warnings about the hazards that utility workers, emergency responders and others face in cold weather in Arizona.

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is warning all businesses, including those in Arizona, that cold, wet or windy weather conditions can be dangerous for employees.

Even if the temperature is a mild 50 degrees, an employee can suffer from cold related injuries and illnesses. The body can get too cold, become unable to warm itself and suffer cold stress, frostbite and hypothermia.

Employees who work outdoors are at a particularly high risk, but any worker can be susceptible to these illnesses during the winter months.

Cold stress is a less severe form of hypothermia, but in severe cases it can be fatal. Cold stress occurs when a person is exposed to cold and has difficulty getting warm. The colder the temperature, the harder the body works to generate heat. The internal organs are the first priority for the body’s heat generator, which means more and more blood is drawn from the extremities. Ears, the nose, hands, feet, arms and legs lose a great deal of warmth and become extremely susceptible to frostbite.

Some workers may be at a higher risk for cold stress due to age and/or medications. Older bodies warm themselves less efficiently. Medications such as antidepressants, sedatives and tranquilizers can affect body warming as well. These employees need to be aware of these factors and act accordingly.

The hazards of cold weather can be reduced by simply following a few safety procedures. First, all employees should wear appropriate clothing for the weather conditions. Dress in layers to adjust to changes in temperature. Avoid getting wet, especially when it’s windy.

Second, drink warm beverages like broth, but avoid caffeinated or alcoholic drinks. Caffeine and alcohol impair the body’s warming capabilities. Meals that are warm and rich in carbohydrates are also recommended.

Third: employees should take frequent breaks from the cold and go indoors, into a heated vehicle, or somewhere out of the wind.

Arizona Cold OSHA Warning

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reminds employers to establish safety protocols for working in cold temperatures. Employees who work in freezers and those who work outdoors are particularly susceptible to cold weather hazards such as hypothermia and Trench Foot.

While working in cold temperatures, employees will need frequent breaks out of the cold in a warm vehicle or heated shelter. Workers should always keep dry clothes in a warm area as well, in case their work clothes get wet.

Dressing for the job is the most important safety measure. Three layers are recommended by OSHA, with cotton as the innermost to provide ventilation. Wool or down should be worn as the middle layer. The outer layer should be nylon or Gortex.

The type of fabric is extremely important. Nylon and Gortex reduce the effects of wind on the body. Wool maintains its ability to insulate even when entirely wet. As a middle layer it provides warmth while absorbing sweat. Cotton doesn’t insulate when it’s wet, so wearing it close to the body allows ventilation.

Proper clothing includes proper footwear and headgear. Boots are a good choice and if working in wet conditions, the boots should be waterproof. Hats should always be worn. An uncovered head can lose as much as 40 degrees of body heat.

Employers should encourage all employees to drink plenty of fluids, as dehydration is possible even in extreme cold. Alcohol and caffeine should be avoided as they interfere with the body’s heating system. Workers should also be encouraged to eat warm food, like pasta, that is high in calories.

Employees need to be aware of how they react to the cold, plus that smoking cigarettes and some prescription medicines can impair how they handle cold weather. Employees should also work in pairs to watch each other for signs of cold stress, including irrational behavior, confusion and disorientation.

All employees, including supervisors and managers, should be trained to recognize these symptoms, and to get the affected worker to a warm area, or to emergency medical help, whichever is needed.

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