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Working in the Cold...

With the winter season starting, it's time to prepare your workers for cold working conditions and winter driving.

  • Did you know that salting ice loses its effectiveness at around 15 degrees F?
  • Or that it takes workers five to seven days to acclimatize to working outdoors in cold conditions?
  • Did you know that braking on ice-covered roads takes three to 12 times longer than if you were braking on a dry road?
  • Preparing your workers for winter weather conditions will help keep productivity high, and injuries low...

Cold-WorkAccording to OSHA, anyone working in a cold environment may be at risk of cold stress. Some workers may be required to work outdoors in cold environments and for extended periods, for example, snow cleanup crews, sanitation workers, police officers and emergency response and recovery personnel, like firefighters, and emergency medical technicians. Cold stress can be encountered in these types of work environment. The following frequently asked questions will help workers understand what cold stress is, how it may affect their health and safety, and how it can be prevented.

How cold is too cold?

What constitutes extreme cold and its effects can vary across different areas of the country. In regions that are not used to winter weather, near freezing temperatures are considered "extreme cold." A cold environment forces the body to work harder to maintain its temperature. Whenever temperatures drop below normal and wind speed increases, heat can leave your body more rapidly.



What are the risk factors that contribute to cold stress?

Some of the risk factors that contribute to cold stress are:

Wetness/dampness, dressing improperly, and exhaustion
Predisposing health conditions such as hypertension, hypothyroidism, and diabetes
Poor physical conditioning
How does the body react to cold conditions?


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