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Recently, a major winter storm struck the Midwest causing power outages for nearly a month. As the area began to recover, a second major storm came through.

Winter has arrived and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is warning all businesses, including those in Montana, that these cold 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 in Montana 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.

Montana Cold Stress

In cold weather, OSHA (Occupations Safety and Health Administration) is especially concerned about worker’s safety. Both OSHA at the federal level and the state OSHA in Montana have issued alerts regarding the hazards of cold-related illnesses, including Trench Foot and Cold Stress.

Trench Foot first came to light in World War I as a result of soldiers standing in water-filled trenches for extended periods. Symptoms include itching, burning and blisters much like the symptoms of frostbite, only less severe.

Cold Stress is defined as the body’s lack of capability to warm itself. Employees who work in cold temperatures, or even in milder temperatures when wet and windy, are at increased risk for cold stress. If not treated, cold stress can lead to hypothermia, which can be fatal.

Employers can help employees prevent cold stress and Trench Foot by encouraging them to follow OSHA’s recommendations.

The most important recommendation is that workers exposed to cold temperatures and windy and wet conditions, dress appropriately for the weather. Hats are required, as are insulated shoes or boots. If the employee is working in water or in wet conditions, he or she must wear waterproof footwear.

Workers should also wear at least three layers of clothing and ensure that arms and legs are completely covered. The fabric of the clothing is important. The fabric of the inner layer should allow the body to breathe, the middle layer fabric should insulate and the outer layer should be a fabric that blocks the effects of the wind.

All employees who are exposed to extreme conditions should take frequent breaks out of the cold. They should also work in pairs, so they can keep an eye on each other for signs of cold stress.

If an employee shows signs of cold stress, he or she should immediately move or be moved to a warm, dry area. Any wet clothing should be replaced with dry clothes or with warm blankets if clothing isn’t available. If the symptoms are severe, emergency medical help should be sought immediately.

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