With cold weather and snow arriving, you need to think about workers who spend time outdoors or in areas without heat. These workers are at risk of conditions such as cold stress, hypothermia and frostbite. When temperatures drop below normal, heat can rapidly leave the body, causing cold-related injuries and illness. In addition to illness and injury, snow and ice can cause many hazards for workers who drive on the job, must reach utility wires and poles to repair downed or damaged power lines and even to those walking outdoors, winter poses a greater risk of slipping and falling.
NIOSH provides information about cold stress on its website, which describes symptoms, first aid and recommendations for prevention. The following tips from the NIOSH website can help you and your workers avoid the dangers of cold stress.