Working In
Cold Weather
Working in cold weather puts
enormous strain on your body. To fight back, try these cold-weather safety tips
while working on the job:
·
Securely tie down
or weigh down supplies so they are safe from gusts of wind.
·
Wear a hat—20 to 30
percent of your body heat is lost through your head.
·
Take frequent
breaks in warm, dry shelters to allow your body to warm up.
·
Sweep water out
of passageways inside of buildings under construction to avoid slipping.
·
Clean off and
sand work surfaces covered by ice or snow to prevent falling.
·
Use the buddy
system–always work in pairs.
·
Drink warm, sweet
beverages, like sugar water or sports drinks, and avoid caffeinated drinks like
coffee, tea, soda and hot chocolate.
·
Eat warm,
high-calorie foods like hot pasta.
When your body temperature drops,
your nerve cells and muscles work more slowly, which makes you clumsier. This
is easy to notice when tying a shoelace or fastening a button in cold weather.
Frostbite
Frostbite occurs after prolonged exposure to low temperatures or
wet working conditions. Frostbite can be dangerous and even life-threatening.
That’s why it is important to look for the following symptoms when working in
cold temperatures:
·
Burning or tingling sensations
·
Partial or complete numbness
·
Discoloration of the skin
·
Intense pain
·
Blistering
·
Hard or waxy-looking skin
Frostbite darkens gradually if left untreated and will eventually
turn skin black. Nerve and blood vessel damage can lead to gangrene and
amputation of a limb.
To prevent frostbite, wear loose-fitting layers of clothing and
always cover your hands, feet, nose and ears. At the first sign of pain or if
your skin gets cold and wet, it’s time to look for a place to warm up.
