Page 35 - Occupational Health & Safety, September 2018

Staying properly fed and hydrated can help workers better withstand cold working conditions and fatigue.
over the course of the day is better than eat- ing one or two heavy meals.
Dehydration causes fatigue in all types of weather conditions. Most adults need at least four liters of water a day to avoid the symp- toms of dehydration. Working hard and in extreme temperatures increases this need.
Physical Needs
Workers need to remain warm when they are working outdoors but should not wear so much clothing that they sweat, because sweating is a defense mechanism that cools the body. When a person sweats in cold conditions, it can cause cooling that is too rapid, leading to hypothermia. Dressing in layers allows the worker to add or remove layers to maintain warmth without sweating.
Layers should include a wicking layer closest to the body to remove moisture from the skin. A thin insulting layer over this, followed by a heavier insulating layer, will help trap and maintain body heat. Du- rable wind and waterproof layers over this help to further insulate workers.
If employees will experience wet condi- tions, consider fabrics such as wool, fleece, and polypropylene that remain warm when they are wet. Cotton fabrics will draw heat away from the body, and goose down loses its insulting properties when it is wet.
Layering also applies to clothing worn on the extremities. Layer socks with a wick- ing layer closest to the foot followed by a warmer sock over it. Like other clothing, socks should be loose fitting.
When the type of work permits it, choose mittens over gloves. Mittens keep fingers warmer than gloves. If the work re- quires finer dexterity, consider thin gloves under mittens. The gloves will provide some protection while performing fine work and allow the hands to slip quickly back into the warmer mittens when it is completed.
Winter hats, toques, and balaclavas (ski masks) are essential to help to prevent frostbite and hypothermia. Many styles even fit well when wearing hard hats and other personal protective equipment.
Using OSHA and ACGIH Guidelines
No matter what their age is, how many lay-
ers they are wearing, or how long they have been acclimated to outdoor conditions, all workers are susceptible to hypothermia and needs to recognize when they are be- coming cold and when they need to stop work to get warm.
In addition to clothing, workers should have the right tools and supplies to mini- mize the amount of time spent outdoors. Before winter weather hits, service all equipment and stock salt, shovels, and other supplies, because it can be more dif- ficult to repair or obtain these items once the weather turns bad.
OSHA, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (AC- GIH), and others agree that the colder the temperature and wind chill, the less time a person can withstand the cold. Using their guidelines can allow work to be broken down into small tasks that fit within the recommended time limitations to prevent cold injuries.
When workers do get chilled, having warm blankets, warming shelters, and warm liquids readily available can help reverse mild hypothermia and prevent more severe injuries. Taking the time now to prepare workers mentally as well as physically will help them to recognize cold warning signs and be better able to work safely outdoors.
Karen D. Hamel, CSP, WACH, is a regu- latory compliance professional, trainer, and technical writer for New Pig. She has more than 22 years of experience helping EHS professionals find solutions to meet EPA, OSHA, and DOT regulations and has had more than 100 articles published on a variety of EHS topics. She is a Certi- fied Safety Professional (CSP,) Walkway Auditor Certificate Holder (WACH,) Com- munity Emergency Response Team (CERT) trainer, hazmat technician, serves on the Blair County, PA LEPC, and has completed a variety of environmental, safety, emer- gency response, DOT and NIMS courses, including Planning Section Chief. She has conducted seminars at national confer- ences and webinars for ASSE and other national organizations. She can be reached at 1-800-HOT-HOGS® (468-4647) or by email, karenh@newpig.com.
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