Cold stress can occur when the body is unable to maintain its temperature in cold environments. Prolonged exposure to cold air, water, or wind can draw heat from the body, forcing it to work harder. Symptoms of cold stress range from mild like numbness and shivering, to severe like hypothermia and frostbite which can damage tissues or cause death. To prevent cold stress, it is important to dress in dry, loose layers and keep moving in cold environments, while taking breaks in warm places. Engineering controls like heaters and wind barriers, along with training workers, can also help reduce cold stress risks.

1. Cold Stress

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How Cold is Too Cold?
When the body is unable to warm itself, cold related
stress may result. This may include tissue damage and
possibly death. A cold environment forces the body to
work harder to maintain it's temperature. Cold air, water,
and snow all draw heat from the body. Wind chill is the
combination of air temperature and wind speed. For
example, when the air temperature is 40°F, and the wind
speed is 35 mph, your exposed skin receives conditions
equivalent to the air temperature being 11° F. While it is
obvious that below freezing conditions combined with
inadequate clothing could bring about cold stress, it is also
important to understand that it can also be brought about
by temperatures in the 50's coupled with some rain and
wind.

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 Temperature of the air
surrounding the body.
 Body temperature.
 Air movement around the
body.
 Body movement.
 Length of exposure.
Cold Stress Factor

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 Normal body temperature
98.6º F.
 Body temperature drops
Below 86º, control system
Becomes ineffective.
 Below 59º, body begins to
Experience impairment of
many functions.
 Most Hypothermia results
when ambient temperature
is between 30º and 40º F.
Cold Environment

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 Increased heat loss To
the environment
 Muscle hypertonus,
resulting in shivering,
is body’s attempt to
maintain body
temperature.
Cold Environment

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What are the most common cold
induced problems?
Trench Foot
Frostbite
Hypothermia

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 Prolonged exposure to cold
causes the body to lose
energy faster than it is
produced.
 Body temperature drops to
lower than normal.
 Can happen when
temperatures are above
freezing.
Hypothermia

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 Aging, Allergies, Poor
Circulation, & Illness.
 Self-Imposed Conditions,
Such As Drinking,
Smoking, & Taking
Sedatives Also Increase
Risks.
 Wet Clothing, Windy
Conditions, & Poor
Physical Condition.
Conditions Affecting Hypothermia

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 Numbness, Stiffness,
Drowsiness, Poor
Coordination.
 Slow Or Irregular Breathing
And Heart Rate.
 Slurred Speech.
 Cool Skin, And Puffiness In
The Face Are Common.
Hypothermia Symptoms

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 May Seem Apathetic About
Getting Out Of Cold.
 Shivering And Teeth
Chattering Is A Sure Sign
That Body Temperature Is
Too Low.
 Victim First Feels Cold
Then May Feel Mild Pain In
Extremities.
Hypothermia Symptoms

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 Victim May Seem
Confused & Disoriented;
Memory Lapses.
 Worst-Case Results Can
Cause Death.
Hypothermia Symptoms

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 Get Victim To Where It Is
Warm.
 Get Them Out Of Wet,
Frozen, Or Tight Clothing;
Keep Victim Dry.
 Get Them Into Loose
Warm Clothes Or
Blankets.
 Give Warm (Room
Temperature) Liquids.
Safety Procedures

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 Do Not Give Alcohol Or
Substances Containing
Caffeine.
 Warm Center Of Body
First.
 If Necessary, Seek
Medical Assistance &
Give CPR.
Safety Procedures

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 Most Serious, And
Second Most Common,
Cold Exposure Hazard.
 Nose, Ears, Cheeks,
Fingers, & Toes Most
Often Affected.
 Affected Area Doesn’t
Get Enough Heat &
Freezes.
Frostbite

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 Freezing Causes Blood
Vessel Constriction.
 Results In Lack Of
Oxygen, Excess Fluid
Buildup, Blistering, And
Tissue Death.
 May Not Be Aware
Anything Bad Is
Happening.
Frostbite

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 Recognized By Distinct
Pallor Of The Exposed Skin.
 Skin Goes From White Or
Grayish Yellow, To Reddish
Violet, To Black.
 Usual Feeling Of Being
Really Cold, Then Numb.
 May Get A Tingling Or
Aching Feeling Or Brief
Pain.
Frostbite

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 Damage To Skin
Sometimes Causes
Blisters.
 Constricted Blood
Vessels Impair Blood
Flow.
 Can Cause
Permanent Tissue
Damage.
Frostbite

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 Victim Can Become
Unconscious.
 Death May Result
From Heart Failure.
 If Necessary, Seek
Medical Assistance &
Give CPR.
Frostbite

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 Don’t Rub Affected
Part.
 Don’t Use Hot Baths,
Or Heat Producing
Devices.
 Don’t Break Blisters.
Care of Frostbite

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 Warm The Frozen Part
With Clothing,
Blankets, Or With
Room Temperature
Water.
 Once Warm, Exercise
The Part.
 Exception: Do Not
Walk On Frostbitten
Feet.
Care of Frostbite

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Trench Foot
 Trench Foot or immersion foot is caused by
having feet immersed in cold water at
temperatures above freezing for long periods
of time. It is similar to frostbite, but
considered less severe.
 Symptoms usually consist of tingling, itching
or burning sensation. Blisters may be present.

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Care for Trench Foot
 Soak feet in warm water
 Wrap with dry cloth
bandages
 Drink a warm, sugary
drink

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 Serviceable Clothing
(Sweatshirt, Jeans,
Coveralls, Coat).
 Distilled Water And Anti
Freeze.
 Easily Stored Food (Chips,
Candy Bars, Cookies,
Some Canned Foods, Etc.)
Driving Preparedness

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 Matches, In A
Waterproof Container.
 Large Candles.
 Tool Kit ( Pliers,
Screwdrivers, Crescent
Wrench, Jumper
Cables, Duct Tape
Electrician’s Tape, Etc.)
Driving Preparedness

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 A Couple Quarts
Of Motor Oil And
Multipurpose
Lubricant, Such
As WD 40.
 Ice Scraper, Sand
or Kitty Litter,
Traction Mat,
Shovel.
Driving Preparedness

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Driving Preparedness
 Road Atlas.
 Reflective Triangles
Or Flares.
 Couple Blankets Or
Comforters.

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THE TWO MOST
IMPORTANT ITEMS:
 A HEALTHY RESPECT
FOR YOUR SAFETY IN
COLD WEATHER !!
AND
 A CELLULAR PHONE!!
Driving Preparedness

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 Prevention Is The Best
Way To Deal With Cold
Stress.
 Don’t Drink Alcohol,
Bathe, Smoke, Or Take
Drugs Before Being
Exposed To Cold.
 Dress In Loose Layers
Of Dry Clothing.
Protection

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 Cover Hands, Feet,
Face, & Head.
 In Cold
Environment, Keep
Moving.
 Take Regular
Breaks In Warm
Places.
Protection

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Engineering Controls
 Engineering controls can be
effective in reducing the risk of
cold stress.
 Radiant heaters may be used to
warm workers. Shielding work
areas from drafts or wind will
reduce wind chill. Use insulating
material on equipment handles,
especially metal handles, when
temperatures drop below 30° F.

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Training
 Training in recognition and treatment is important.
Supervisors, workers and coworkers should watch for
signs of cold stress and allow workers to interrupt their
work if they are extremely uncomfortable.
 Supervisors should also ensure that work schedules
allow appropriate rest periods and ensure liquids are
available.
 They should use appropriate engineering controls,
personal protective equipment and work practices to
reduce the risk of cold stress.
 All of these measures should be incorporated into the
relevant health and safety plans.