Safety Playbook

Heat Illness Safety Tips

Cold Weather Safety Tips

Protecting Workers From Cold Stress Potential Health & Safety Hazards come in many forms. Not only do they come from the equipment and materials on a job site, but they can also exist in something as simple as the environment or elements we work in. Extreme weather (Heat or Cold) can create unique challenges and potential risk to one’s heath and/or safety. Things like proper attire, hydration, head protection, sun block, and layered clothing are just some of the vital aspects to working safety in extreme weather conditions.

Protecting Workers From Heat Stress Heat Illness Exposure to heat can cause illness and death. The most serious heat illness is heat stroke. Other heat illnesses, such as heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash, should also be avoided. There are precautions that can be taken any time temperatures are high and the job involves physical work.

Frostbite:

Hypothermia:

Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in the affected areas. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes. Frostbite can permanently damage body tissues, and severe cases can lead to amputation. In extremely cold temperatures, the risk of frostbite is increased in workers with reduced blood circulation and among workers who are not dressed properly.

When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body’s stored energy. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. A body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not know it is happening

What to Do When a Worker is Ill from the Heat – Call a supervisor for help. If the supervisor is not available, call 911. – Have someone stay with the worker until help arrives. – Move the worker to a cooler/ shaded area. – Remove outer clothing. – Fan and mist the worker with water; apply ice (ice bags or ice towels). – Provide cool drinking water, if able to drink.

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion

Risk Factors for Heat Exhaustion

High temperature and humidity, direct sun exposure, no breeze or wind Heavy physical labor

Headache, dizziness, or fainting

Symptoms of Frostbite

Early Symptoms of Hypothermia

Late Symptoms of Hypothermia

Weakness & wet skin

No recent exposure to hot workplaces

Numbness Tingling/stinging

Aching Bluish or pal e waxy skin

Low liquid intake

Irritability or confusion

HOW TO PROTECT WORKERS

No shivering, blue/purple skin

Shivering

Workers should avoid exposure to extremely cold temperatures when possible. When cold environments or temperatures cannot be avoided, workers should follow these recommendations to protect themselves from cold stress:

Waterproof clothing

Thirst, nausea, or vomiting

Fatigue

Dialated pupils

• Wear appropriate clothing. • Wear several layers of loose clothing. Layering provides better insulation. • Avoid wearing tight clothing reduces blood circulation. Warm blood needs to be circulated to the extremities. • Make sure to protect the ears, face, hands and feet in extremely cold weather. • Get into a warm room as soon as possible. • Avoid walking on frostbitten feet or toes-this increases the damage. • Immerse the affected area in warm-not hot-water (the temperature should be comfortable to the touch for unaffected parts of the body). • Warm the affected area using body heat; for example, the

• Boots should be waterproof and insulated. • Wear a hat; it will keep your whole body warmer. • Move into warm locations during work breaks; limit the amount of time outside on extremely cold days. • Carry cold weather gear, such as extra socks, gloves, hats, jacket, blankets, a change of clothes and a thermos of hot liquid. heat of an armpit can be used to warm frostbitten fingers. • Do not rub or massage the frostbitten area; doing so may cause more damage. • Do not use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace, or radiator for warming. Affected areas are numb and can be easily burned

To Prevent Heat Exhaustion

Slowed pulse/ breathing

Loss or lack of coordination

How to Protect Workers from Heat Exhaustion

Establish a complete heat illness prevention program.

Confusion and disorientation

Loss of consciousness

Provide training about the hazards leading to heat stress and how to prevent them. Provide a lot of cool water to workers close to the work area. At least one pint of water per hour is needed. Modify work schedules and arrange frequent rest periods with water breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas. Gradually increase workloads and allow more frequent breaks for workers new to the heat or those that have been away from work to adapt to working in the heat (acclimatization). Designate a responsible person to monitor conditions and protect workers who are at risk of heat stress.

Know signs/symptoms of heat illnesses; monitor yourself; use a buddy system. Block out direct sun and other heat sources. Drink plenty of fluids. Drink often and BEFORE you are thirsty. Drink water every 15 minutes. Avoid beverages containing alcohol or caffeine. Wear lightweight, light colored, loose-fitting clothes.

FIRST AID FOR FROSTBITE

FIRST AID HYPOTHERMIA

• Remove their wet clothing. • Warm the center of their body first-chest, neck, head, or use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets. • Warm beverages may help increase the body temperature, but do not give alcoholic beverages. Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person. • After their body temperature has increased, keep the victim dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck.

Consider protective clothing that provides cooling.

IF THE WORKER IS NOT ALERT or seems confused, this may be a heat stroke. CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY and apply ice as soon as possible.

26 | Weather Elements | SAFETY PLAYBOOK

SAFETY PLAYBOOK | Weather Elements | 27