Cold Stress
Instructor Guide
Safety Talk Overview
Safety Talks are a method to refresh an employee’s knowledge and skills, maintain their interest in safety and illustrate the organization’s commitment to creating a healthy & safe work environment. Safety Talks can be performed on a weekly basis or before the start of a new scope of work and should be about 15 minutes in duration. Generally, these Safety Talk meetings are led by a supervisor and should be mandatory for all crew members to attend. The content should be centred on a single topic (e.g. a safety rule, safe job procedures, recent incident, Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee (JOHSC) meeting minutes, inspection results, etc.).
go2 developed these Safety Talks in conjunction with representatives from 11 ski areas in BC. The content is meant to be a base on which to work from, so please feel free to customize the subject matter to your own organization. If you would like to develop your own Safety Talk, please download the Safety Talk template from the go2 website (www.go2hr.ca/skisafety) and contact Trina Wright at and 604-633-9787 (ext 259) for support. If you are willing to share your Safety Talks with go2, we will ideally post it on our website, to be accessed by all ski areas in BC. The more preventative ideas we can provide, the better the chances of having an incident-free environment for all.
Topic Overview:
At ski areas in BC every year, a large number of employees are injured due to cold stress. Potential injuries could include hypothermia, chilblain, frost nip, frost bite, trench/immersion foot and even death.
Demonstration and Discussion Topics
o Discuss the hazards associated with working in cold environments.
o Tour the work area with workers pointing out where the accidents can occur while working in cold climates.
o Distribute the “Do’s & Don’ts” section of this handout.
o Use the “Instructor Guide” section of the handout as your discussion guide and the “Safety Talk Record” to document the meeting.
o Discuss how accidents can happen.
o Remind employees that they are required to wear adequate personal protective equipment.
o Explain what can be done to minimize the risk of accidents (do’s & don’ts in handout)
o Emphasize that following safe work procedures is mandatory.
o Make it real by telling at least two true stories of injuries from your experience.
o Discuss the attitude of “it won’t happen to me”. Remind them that an injury can and will happen if they take shortcuts or are careless.
o Answer any questions or concerns they might have.
o Set a good example by working safely at all times.
Cold Stress
SAFETY TALK RECORD
Discussion Leader: / Date:Department: / Time:
Attendees (Please print your name and sign beside it. If you are a contractor, also include your company name):
o / o
o / o
o / o
o / o
o / o
o / o
o / o
o / o
o / o
o / o
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Near Miss/Incidents and Investigations Reviewed: (None this month o)
(Industry alerts can be discussed here as well)
Safety Topic Discussed:
Title: / Date:
Any questions or concerns from workers?
Action Needed: / Person responsible: / Due Date: / Completed Date:
Reviewed By:
Supervisor/Manager Print Name & Sign: / Date:
Cold Stress
Working in a cold environment can be an inevitable experience when working at a ski hill. Workers performing tasks outside in winter conditions or working in cold storage areas can be at risk. Cold stress can occur when the body is exposed to excessive cold or wet conditions. The result can be hypothermia, chilblain, frost nip, frostbite, trench/immersion foot and even death. In cold temperatures, staff members need to take extra steps to keep themselves, other personnel and worksites safe.
Factors that cause Cold Stress include:
· Cold: Exposure to cold, particularly if the worker is wet, dehydrated or tired.
· Wind: Wind removes the thin layer of warm air that surrounds the skin.
· Water: If clothing becomes wet or damp from water, snow or perspiration, the risk is increased. Immersion in cold water will conduct heat away from the body 25 times faster than cold air.
Tasks
§ Preparing to work in a cold environment
§ Recognizing and treating cold-induced injuries
o Hypothermia
o Chilblains
o Trench/immersion foot
o Frost nip
o Frostbite
Do’s:
§ Cover your head. 50% of heat can be lost through the head.
§ Protect your hands and feet. Use mitts rather than gloves where possible. Carry extra pairs of felt liners and mittens as they may get wet. Consider using hand and foot warmers. Keep skin dry.
§ Wear layered clothing. Layers trap warm air and help to retain heat. The first layer should be thin and help to keep moisture away from the body. Polypropylene is a good choice. Wool is a good second layer because it stays warm even if it gets wet. Cotton tends to absorb water, making it less effective. Keep your clothing loose so it does not compress under layers and keeps the layers of warm air intact. Make the outer layer wind and water proof.
§ When working in wet or muddy conditions, be sure to use appropriate footwear.
§ Pace yourself, if you have physically demanding work to do. Fatigue will contribute to hypothermia. To stay dry, reduce perspiration by removing layers or loosening the neck, wrists and waist of clothing.
§ Keep Moving! Keep work rate fast enough to keep warm, but not so fast as to cause heavy sweating.
§ Monitor the temperature and wind and adjust work and breaks accordingly.
Cold Stress
Do’s (CONT’D):
§ Take breaks in a heated building and increase the frequency of breaks where the cold or wind is more intense. Be sure to remove outer layers when you are in a warmer environment.
§ Drink plenty of warm fluids. Good hydration helps circulation.
§ Increase caloric intake by 10-15% when working in cold conditions and maintain a healthy diet.
§ Come to work well rested.
§ Cover metal handles and bars with an insulating material. Use tools and machines that can be operated with mittens.
§ Educate workers about the signs and symptoms of hypothermia as well as its prevention. Set up a buddy system to monitor early signs.
§ Hypothermia:
o Signs and Symptoms of Mild Hypothermia: The first signs are bouts of shivering, severe shivering, poor judgment, confusion and sleepiness. Symptoms can show up several hours after exposure to the cold. Hyperthermia should be treated quickly because it is hard to know how severe it is or how long it has been developing.
o Signs and Symptoms of Moderate hypothermia: Causes confusion, difficulty thinking and poor co-ordination so the victim may not be able to follow instructions. Breathing may become shallow and the pulse may be slow or weak. The victim may stop shivering.
o Signs and Symptoms of Severe hypothermia: Shivering stops. Although the victim will be unable to perform tasks, he or she may be able to stand and appear alert. Cold slows down the body functions so the victim may survive for hours with no obvious signs of life. Severe hypothermia should always be treated as a medical emergency even in the absence of detectable heart rate or breathing.
o Treating Hypothermia: Move the victim to a warm, dry environment. Remove wet clothing and replace them with warm dry layers. Make sure the head is covered and the layers underneath are warm and dry. Get medical help and allow the victim to shiver because it creates body heat. Handle the victim gently and minimize exertion. In moderate or severe hypothermia, rough handling can cause irregularities in the heart beat and death.
§ Treating Chilblains: Chilblains are identified by red, swollen skin, usually on hands and feet that feels hot, tender and itchy after cold exposure. Keep affected area warm and use a mild anti-itch lotion such as calamine.
§ Treating Trench/Immersion Foot: If part of the body is covered with water or wet mud that is just about freezing, the area may become chronically swollen, weak and sensitive to the cold. Rotate your shoes every other day to allow them to dry thoroughly, frequently change socks and use talc or baby powder daily.
§ Treating Frost nip: The top layers of skin can freeze after exposure to the cold. Frost nip is treated by slow, gentle warming. Get out of the cold as quickly as possible and strip the affected body part of all clothing and covering.
§ Treating Frostbite: This occurs if human skin is unprotected from cold temperatures. Keep warm with clothes and blankets. Soak frostbitten area in warm water until affected area becomes pink. Seek medical attention as soon as possible for a thorough exam and additional treatment.
Cold Stress
Don’ts:
§ Do not over dress. A complete change of clothes needs to be on hand in case clothes get wet or there is excessive sweating.
§ Caffeinated and alcoholic beverages are not a good idea because they cause more blood flow to the surface of the skin. This can expose the blood to more cold and result in a decrease in core body temperature.
§ Treating Hypothermia: Do not massage extremities. Do not make the victim exercise. Do not place the victim in a warm bath or shower.
§ Treating Chilblains: Avoid scratching the affected area.
§ Treating Trench/Immersion Foot: Avoid synthetic materials like rubber or vinyl. Wear leather or clothes that can absorb moisture.
§ Treating Frost nip: Hot objects should not be used. The skin should not be rubbed.
§ Treating Frostbite: Do not rub or bump the affected area. Do not use direct heat such as a heating pad or hair dryer to warm the affected area. Do not pop blisters that appear, as this can cause infection. Avoid further exposure to the cold.