ISSUES: WORKING IN HYPOTHERMIC CONDITIONS
Hypothermia occurs when the body loses more heat than it can produce, often due to cold, wet, or windy conditions, immersion in cold water, inadequate clothing, or certain medical conditions. Risk factors include age, illnesses like diabetes or hypothyroidism, exhaustion, poor nutrition, and substance use.
There is no legally defined “too cold” temperature for work, but sub-zero conditions or wind chills below -17°F can be fatal. Hazards include hypothermia, frostbite, trench foot, and chilblains, which can occur even at higher temperatures.
COMMON CAUSES OF CONSTRUCTION FIRES:
Hot Work: Welding, cutting, and grinding operations can easily ignite nearby combustibles.
Electrical Faults: Improperly installed or maintained temporary wiring and lighting can spark fires.
Flammable Materials: Improper storage of solvents, paints, adhesives, and other flammable materials can lead to explosions and rapid fire spread.
Accumulation of Debris: Wood scraps, packaging, and other waste can easily catch fire.
Cooking and Heating Equipment: Grills, hot plates, and temporary heating devices can be fire hazards if not properly used or maintained.
SERIOUSNESS:
Going unnoticed or untreated, hypothermia can lead to both short-term and long-term effects on your body and can even cause death.
SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF HYPOTHERMIA:
Shivering: The body’s natural defense mechanism to generate heat.
Slurred speech or mumbling: Cognitive impairment due to reduced brain function.
Slow, shallow breathing: Respiratory distress as the body struggles to maintain adequate oxygen levels.
Weak pulse: Reduced heart rate and blood flow to vital organs.
Clumsiness or lack of coordination: Impaired physical coordination and balance.
Drowsiness or very low energy: Fatigue and lethargy as the body begins to shut down non-essential functions.
Confusion or memory loss: Impaired awareness and cognitive function.
Loss of consciousness: Complete inability to respond or function.
LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF HYPOTHERMIA:
- Cardiac arrest
- Liver damage
- Kidney failure
- Gangrene
- Coma
- Death
THE FACTS:
Cold weather is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. Although preventable, thousands suffer from occupational cold exposure each year, some fatally. Most outdoor fatalities (50–70%) occur in the first days of exposure, before the body builds tolerance—a process called cold weather acclimatization. Lack of acclimatization greatly increases risk.
COMMON CAUSES OF HYPOTHERMIA:
Being outside without enough protective clothing, especially in winter.
Falling into cold water such as a lake, river, or other body of water.
Wearing wet clothing in windy or cold weather.
Heavy exertion, not drinking enough fluids, or not eating enough in cold weather.
SYMPTOMS OF HYPOTHERMIA:
As hypothermia develops, a person slowly loses the ability to think and move and may be unaware that emergency treatment is needed. Frostbite is also likely. Symptoms include:
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Pale and cold skin
- Slowed breathing or heart rate
- Uncontrollable shivering (may stop at extremely low body temperatures)
- Weakness and loss of coordination
- Lethargy; without prompt treatment, cardiac arrest, shock, and coma can occur
CONSEQUENCES OF HYPOTHERMIA:
- Injuries and fatalities
- Short and long-term illness
- Project delays
- Legal and financial repercussions
SOURCES OF HYPOTHERMIA:
- Wearing insufficiently warm clothing for weather conditions
- Allowing core body temperature to drop below 95°F for too long
- Being unable to remove wet clothes or move to a warm, dry location
- Falling into water, such as in boating accidents or while hunting
- Getting caught in rain or snow
REGULATIONS:
OSHA does not have a specific standard for working in cold environments. Employers are responsible for providing workplaces free from recognized hazards, including winter weather-related hazards likely to cause death or serious injury.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- Prevention: Wear a hat and mittens, use loose, layered, water-repellent clothing, and stay dry to prevent heat loss. Avoid overexertion that causes sweating.
- Communication: Let someone know your location, destination, and expected return so help can find you if needed.
- Awareness: Know hypothermia symptoms and risk factors like exhaustion, age, alcohol/drugs, medical conditions, and medications.
- Treatment: Move to warmth, remove wet clothing, cover with blankets, insulate from the ground, monitor breathing, provide warm drinks, and apply heat only to the neck, chest, or groin—avoid arms and legs.
STEPS FOR CONTROLLING HYPOTHERMIA EXPOSURE:
- Monitor weather to prepare for cold or wet conditions
- Wear correct PPE
- Keep hat and gloves on while outdoors
- Schedule activities around weather conditions
- Stay hydrated
- Keep a set of dry clothing nearby
- Understand first aid and field response steps
- Seek/provide immediate intervention and call 911
- Avoid wearing cotton
- Keep feet and hands warm and dry
- Have an emergency plan
- Train others on exposure, symptoms, and treatment
SOURCES OF HYPOTHERMIA:
- Don’t ignore shivering or other symptoms
- Don’t expose yourself or others unnecessarily
- Don’t wear tight, fitted clothing
- Don’t remain undernourished
- Don’t use extreme heat for warming up
- Don’t rely solely on thermometers—tolerance varies
- Don’t wear wet clothing for extended periods
- Don’t use alcohol or drugs in cold conditions
- Don’t be unprepared or unaware of conditions
- Don’t go out in wind, rain, or snow without proper clothing
