Items Tagged with 'Cold protection'

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.

For many parts of the country, winter means colder temperatures. Is your home ready?

Did you know? Bulky winter clothing such as puffy coats and snowsuits can make your child’s safety seat less effective.

“Just like people, pets’ cold tolerance can vary from pet to pet based on their coat, body fat stores, activity level and health,” says the American Veterinary Medical Association, which wants you to be aware of your pet’s tolerance for cold weather and adjust accordingly.

Do you know the symptoms of hypothermia? They include shivering, slurred speech, confusion and drowsiness.

A thorough workplace safety and health plan should include steps to protect workers from cold-related hazards. This is particularly important for workers in the services, transportation, construction and agriculture industries.

In Episode 10, the Safety+Health team discusses the dangers of working in the cold as winter sets in across the country. Although OSHA has not released fiscal year 2020 data on the agency’s Top 10 most cited violations, Associate Editor Kevin Druley shares insights into the Top 10 via interviews with two workplace safety experts.

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.

Sledding, ice skating and playing in the snow aren’t just fun – they’re good exercise and a great reason to head outdoors during the winter. But remember: Safety first.