Winter forecasts from the Farmer’s Almanac 2017-2018 range from cold and snowy for the Northeast, to mild for the Southwest, to everything in between for the rest of the country. Just about everywhere, workers must remain mindful of the weather — and its effects on the environment and the body — to stay safe while working outdoors.
For much of the U.S. and Canada, winter brings more than cold. Work environments — dark, wet, icy, windswept, and even snowbound — present multiple challenges for individuals who must work outside. To start with, as their core temperatures drop, workers automatically begin to shiver. That’s the body’s way to generate heat and maintain a normal, healthy temperature. But shivering uses energy. And when it’s cold, muscles tense up, expending even more energy. Finally, movement in heavy, bulky winter clothing is often restrictive and difficult.