labor lawAdivision of labor law center

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a West Virginia alert about work safety in damp, cold weather, and the dangers of cold stress and trench foot.

Cold stress, simply, is the body’s failure to keep warm. Trench foot, a distinct threat to workers, causes itching, burning, and blisters. It is much like, but not as bad as, frostbite. Trench foot gets its name from World War I, when soldiers’ feet were sunk in the cold water that had collected in the trenches for long stretches of time.

Employers should know that dressing appropriately and taking breaks in warm areas frequently will help combat cold stress. Staying dry is a key factor, because contact with cold water will make it difficult for the body to maintain a normal temperature. Workers should cover their extremities and wear close-fitting layers.

For mild forms of cold stress, which are relatively easily treated, the employee should be moved to a warm area and should remain active, according to OSHA. It is bet to drink warm fluids (but not caffeine, which will slow the body’s warming process) to boost the metabolism and the body’s inner temperature. Avoid alcohol.

If an employee is suffering from cold stress, remove him or her to a warm area and supply clothing and a warm drink. In serious cases, call an ambulance. That way medical professionals can provide help.

It is important to remember that wind chill turns supposedly moderate or mild temperatures into dangerous conditions. As is commonly known, “wind child” is the phrase for the combination of air temperature and wind speed. The stronger the wind speed, the colder the wind chill will be. Regardless of what it says on the thermometer, skin will react to the temperature resulting from wind chill

Workers and employers alike should realize that in cold weather, just as in extremely hot temperatures, employees should team up. Working in pairs allows each to watch the other carefully for signs of cold stress.

West Virginia Cold OSHA

Employees need to be protected against dangers of cold temperatures like frostbite, hypothermia, and trench foot.

OSHA has a series of measures involving appropriate clothing and safe practices, all common-sense steps in the face of extreme cold.

Safe work practices include using radiant heaters to keep work areas warm. Temporary shelters that surround a worksite outdoors and cut drafts and wind is also a safe practice. Use insulating material to cover metal handles on equipment, particularly when temperatures are below 30 degrees.

Urge workers to drink liquids, but avoid smoking, caffeine and alcohol, which can reduce the body’s capability for warming itself. Encourage them to eat warm food that is calorie-rich, such as pasta.

Schedule outside work for the warmest part of the day, when possible. Have employees take breaks frequently in a heated vehicle or shelter. Employees should work in pairs and watch each other for the typical signals of cold stress such as irrational behavior, disorientation, or confusion. Train workers to look for these signs. Allow workers to take breaks if they become extremely uncomfortable as a result of the cold, and schedule more breaks than normal. Workers should keep in mind that certain prescription drugs also reduce the body’s cold-handling capacity.

Appropriate clothing is the other factor. Cold-weather gear is often supplied to w employees who work outdoors or in freezers for long periods. OSHA recommends 3 layers of clothing. A nylon or Gortex outer layer will cut the wind. A middle layer consisting of down or wool provides insulation and absorbs sweat, even when it is wet. Finally, an inner layer of synthetics or cotton provides ventilation.

OSHA’s other clothing recommendations include wearing a hat, because as much as 40 degrees of body heat can be lost if the head is exposed. Insulated boots or footwear should be worn, and in wet areas, waterproof footwear is recommended. Dry clothes should be available in a warm location if work clothing becomes wet. Loose clothing offers improved insulation and ventilation.

Cotton ceases to insulate when wet, but wool continues to hold insulation even if it is soaked.

Last 10 posts by Amelia

• COBRA Subsidy Extended Again - March 5th, 2010
• New York Uniform, Meals and Lodging Rules - February 10th, 2010
• New York Non-Exempt Employee Rules - February 3rd, 2010
• New York Tipped Minimum Wage is $4.75 - January 27th, 2010
• Oklahoma Direct Deposit - January 20th, 2010
• 2010 Minimum Wage Recap - January 1st, 2010
• Vermont Minimum Wage 2010 is $8.06 - December 30th, 2009
• New GINA Regulations - December 23rd, 2009
• Kansas 2010 Minimum Wage Increases to $7.25 - December 9th, 2009
• 2010 Washington Minimum Wage is $8.55 - December 2nd, 2009