Working
in Cold Conditions
It may look like a winter
wonderland, but when it's cold outside and you have to work in the freezing
weather, you need to take some safety precautions. Cold weather can
kill you if you're not adequately prepared.
Frostbite
Nipping at Your Nose
When you work outside during
the winter, you are at risk of suffering an injury from prolonged exposure
to low temperatures. Wind and moisture are both enemies. Under
certain circumstances, both wind and moisture can lead to frostbite.
Frostbite is difficult
to spot, especially while you're outside. It may not be obvious until
hours after you thaw. Frostbite can be either superficial or deep
frostbite. Either condition can be very uncomfortable at best and
deadly at worst.
To
check for frostbite, look for the following warning signs:
<Grey or yellowish patches on the affected
area
<Soft, pliable skin
<Red and flaky skin after thawing
These are the classic signs
of superficial frostbite.
For
deep frostbite, the symptoms grow more severe. They include:
<Waxy and pale skin
<Skin that feels cold, hard and solid
<Skin that turns blue or purple upon thawing
<Large blisters that appear after re-warming
How to
Prevent Frostbite
The best way to deal with
frostbite is to prevent if from happening in the first place. The
parts of the body most susceptible to frostbite include: Cheeks,
Ears, Nose.
Your head and neck lose
body heat faster than any other parts of your body. You can best
protect yourself by wearing a hat, scarf, and turtleneck sweater.
These items will help protect the most at risk body parts. Think
of them as personal protective equipment for working outside in cold weather.
How to
Treat Frostbite
Despite wearing appropriate
clothing, if you think you or another worker is experiencing the onset
o frostbite, take action immediately. Remember, frostbite can be
difficult to detect while you are outside so don't take any chances.
Here is a short checklist of what to do and what not to do.
DO:
<Get out of the cold and into a warm place
immediately.
<Remove any constrictive clothing that
could impair blood flow to the area.
<Seek medical attention immediately.
<If a body part is partially thawed, place
frostbitten part in warm water for about 20 to 40 minutes.
DON'T
<Use water hotter than 106 degrees fahrenheit.
<Use water colder than 100 degrees fahrenheit.
<Rub or massage the frostbitten area.
<Rub the area with ice or snow.
Frostbite is no joking matter.
It is dangerous hazard for those who work outside. Take it seriously
and you will avoid a very painful injury.
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