Items Tagged with 'Cold stress'

How can I best protect workers from extreme weather events?

Arlington, VA — Keeping miners safe during cold weather is the focus of a new alert from the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Working outdoors already involves many hazards. Add cold temperatures during the winter months, and the number of risks grows.

Albany, NY — Recently introduced legislation in New York is aimed at protecting workers from extreme temperatures in both indoor and outdoor work settings.

“Workers – both indoors and outdoors – in services, transportation, agriculture, construction and other industries may be exposed to environmental cold stress that can lead to thermal discomfort, and in some cases even severe injuries, illnesses or death,” NIOSH warns.

A spike in lost-time injuries and illnesses resulting from “environmental cold” suggests a lack of understanding of cold stress and how to avoid related injuries.

Working in cold conditions can be unpleasant, uncomfortable and even dangerous if proper safety precautions aren’t followed.

What importance does scheduling play in the prevention of cold stress?

If you work outside, it’s important to know about cold stress. Cold stress is a preventable danger that involves a person’s skin temperature – and eventually internal body temperature – dropping to levels at which the body cannot warm itself, according to OSHA. This can lead to serious injuries, including permanent tissue damage and death. Types of cold stress include trench foot, frostbite and hypothermia.

As outdoor temperatures plummet, employers and employees alike can take steps to help prevent injuries and illnesses when workers have to brave the elements to get the job done.