News

Working in cold temperatures, preventing thermal stress

Winter is upon us in Manitoba, and it’s cold.

But the show must go on for the thousands of people who work outside in frigid temperatures – and that means knowing how to prevent injuries caused by cold stress.

Cold stress is the body’s inability to control its internal temperature, and can result in serious illness or death.

Conditions that may increase your risk for cold stress include:

  • Low temperature and high wind
  • Immersion in cold water
  • High level of physical exertion or activity
  • Improper or inadequate clothing

Symptoms:

Prickling or a burning sensation in your skin, extreme pain or a loss of sensation are symptoms of frostbite, while a sensation of cold followed by pain, numbness, muscle weakness, confusion, slurred speech, drowsiness and coma are all symptoms of hypothermia, which ultimately can lead to death.

To prevent cold stress, we recommend you:

  • Assess weather conditions.
  • Monitor yourself and coworkers.
  • Take warm-up breaks in heated shelters – there should be one at or below -7 C, available nearby.
  • Wear adequate, insulating, dry clothing.
  • Drink warm, sweet drinks or soups.
  • Keep body moving but limit heavy work.

 

If someone at your work site exhibits signs of cold stress, do not wait to take action. Move the worker to a warm area, encourage continuous body movement, replace wet clothes with dry ones or blankets and provide warm (not hot), sweet drinks.

Call 911 immediately if you think someone is experiencing hypothermia.

For more information, read the Thermal Stress Guideline or call Workplace Safety and Health at 204.945.3466 or 1.866.888.8186.