WORKING IN THE

COLD
Why should we be concerned about working in the cold?

• Working in cold environments can be not only hazardous to your health but also life
threatening. It is critical that the body be able to preserve core body temperature
steady at + 37°C (+ 98.6°F). This thermal balance must be maintained to preserve
normal body functioning as well as provide energy for activity (or work!). The body's
mechanisms for generating heat (its metabolism) has to meet the challenge presented
by low temperature, wind and wetness - the three major challenges of cold
environments.

• Radiation is the loss of heat to the environment due to the temperature gradient. In
this case, it is the difference between the temperature of the air and the temperature
of the body (your body's core temperature is +37°C). Another factor important in
radiant heat loss is the size of the surface area exposed to cold.

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Working in the cold

Evaporation is the loss of heat due to the conversion of water from a

liquid to a gas. In terms of human physiology, it is:

• Perspiration / Sweating - evaporation of water to remove excess heat;

• Insensible" Perspiration - body sweats to maintain humidity level of 70% next to skin.
Particularly in a cold, dry environment, you can lose a great deal of moisture this way
and not notice that you have been sweating;

• Respiration - air is heated as it enters the lungs and is exhaled with an extremely
high moisture content;

• It is important to recognize the strong connection between fluid levels, fluid loss, and
heat loss. As body moisture is lost through the various processes, the overall
circulating volume is reduced which can lead to dehydration. This decrease in fluid
level makes the body more susceptible to hypothermia and other cold injuries.
How do we produce and retain heat within the body?

In order to survive and stay active in the cold, the constant heat loss has to be counterbalanced by
the production of an equal amount of heat. Heat is both required and produced at the cellular level
as a result of complex metabolic processes that convert food - a primary source of energy - into
glycogen. Glycogen is a substance (biochemical compound) that is the "fuel" for biochemical
processes underlying all life functions, heat production included.

Factors important for heat production include:

• Food intake;
• "Fuel" (glycogen) store;
• Fluid balance;
• Physical activity; and
• Shivering - a reflex reaction, which increases the body's heat production (up to 500%) when
necessary. This reaction is limited to a few hours because of depletion of muscle glycogen and
the onset of fatigue.

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Working in the cold

Heat retention and tolerance to cold also depends on the body's

structure, certain reflex and behavioural mechanisms that retain heat
within the body as well as what you are wearing.

They are:
• Size and shape of the body (surface to volume ratio);
• Layer of fat under the skin (subcutaneous adipose tissue);
• Decreased the blood flow through the skin and outer parts of the
body; and
• Insulation (layering and type of clothing).
How do we maintain thermal balance?
• Cold challenges the body in three major ways (temperature, wind and
wetness). Depending on the severity of cold conditions, heat loss can occur.
The body maintains its heat balance by increasing production of the heat
and activating heat retention mechanisms.

• Heat Production + Heat Retention = Cold Challenge – Thermal Balance

Food intake Decreasing superficial blood flow
Activity Clothing
Shivering

• In the situation where more heat is lost than the combined heat production
processes and heat retention mechanisms can generate, the core body
temperature drops below +37°C. This decrease causes hypothermia which
can impair normal muscular and mental functions.
Challenges

• Cold challenges the body in three major ways (temperature, wind and wetness).
Depending on the severity of cold conditions, heat loss can occur. The body maintains its
heat balance by increasing production of the heat and activating heat retention
mechanisms.

• In the situation where more heat is lost than the combined heat production processes and
heat retention mechanisms can generate, the core body temperature drops below +37°C.
This decrease causes hypothermia which can impair normal muscular and mental
functions.

• Uncomfortably cold working conditions can lead to lower work efficiency and higher
accident rates. Cold impairs the performance of complex mental tasks. Manual tasks are
also impaired because the sensitivity and dexterity of fingers are reduced in the cold. At
even lower temperatures, the cold affects the deeper muscles resulting in reduced
muscular strength and stiffened joints. Mental alertness is reduced due to cold-related
discomfort. For all these reasons accidents are more likely to occur in very cold working
conditions.
Are there any factors that determine an individual's response to the cold?

Response in Men and Women:

• Studies have shown that response to cold in women can differ from
that of men. While the core body temperature cools more slowly in
women, women are not usually able to create as much metabolic
heat through exercise or shivering. In addition, the rate of cooling of
the extremities (feet, hands) is faster among women. As a result,
women are generally at a greater risk of cold injury.
Predisposing Conditions

Susceptibility to cold injury varies from person to person. In

general, people in good physical health are less susceptible to cold
injury. While anyone working in a cold environment may be at risk,
the following conditions may make the risk of cold injury greater:
• Age (infants less than one year, and older adults are more
susceptible);
• Diseases of the blood circulation system;
• Injuries resulting in blood loss or altered blood flow;
• Previous cold injury;
• Fatigue;
• Consumption of alcohol or nicotine (smoking); and
• Use of certain drugs or medication.
Predisposing Conditions

Can you become acclimatized to cold?

• Acclimatization is the term given to the development of

resistance to, or tolerance for, an environmental change.
Although people easily adapt to hot environments, they do not
acclimatize well to cold. However, frequently-exposed body
parts can develop some degree of tolerance to cold. This
adaptability is noticeable among fishermen who are able to
work with bare hands in extremely cold weather. The blood
flow in their hands is maintained in conditions which would
cause extreme discomfort and loss of dexterity in un-
acclimatized persons.
What are the health effects of exposure to cold?

Cooling of body parts may result in various cold injuries - non-freezing injuries, freezing injuries - and
hypothermia which is the most serious. Non-freezing cold injuries include chilblain, immersion foot
and trenchfoot. Frostnip and frostbite are freezing injuries.

Toes, fingers, ears and nose are at greatest risk because these areas do not have major muscles to
produce heat. In addition, the body will preserve heat by favouring the internal organs and thus
reducing the flow of blood to the extremities under cold conditions. Hands and feet tend to get cold
more quickly than the torso because:
• They lose heat more rapidly since they have a higher surface area-to-volume ratio; and
• They are more likely to be in contact with colder surfaces than other parts of the body.

If the eyes are not protected with goggles in high wind chill conditions, the corneas of the eyes may
freeze.

Use lip balm and creams to moisturise the skin as required

The most severe cold injury is hypothermia which occurs from excessive loss of body heat and the
consequent lowering of the inner core temperature (internal temperature of the body). Hypothermia
can be fatal.
What are examples of 'nonfreezing' cold injuries?

• Chilblains are a mild cold injury caused by prolonged and repeated exposure for
several hours to air temperatures from above freezing (0°C or 32°F) to as high as 16°C
(or about 60°F). In the affected skin area there will be redness, swelling, tingling, and
pain.

• Immersion foot occurs in individuals whose feet have been wet, but not freezing cold,
for days or weeks. It can occur at temperatures up to 10°C (50°F). The primary injury is
to nerve and muscle tissue. Symptoms include tingling and numbness; itching, pain,
swelling of the legs, feet, or hands; or blisters may develop. The skin may be red
initially and turn to blue or purple as the injury progresses. In severe cases, gangrene
may develop.

• Trenchfoot is "wet cold disease" resulting from prolonged exposure in a damp or wet
environment from above the freezing point to about 10°C (50°F). Depending on the
temperature, an onset of symptoms may range from several hours to many days but
the average is three days. Trenchfoot is more likely to occur at lower temperatures
whereas an immersion foot is more likely to occur at higher temperatures and longer
exposure times. A similar condition of the hands can occur if a person wears wet
gloves for a prolonged period under cold conditions described above. Symptoms are
similar to an immersion foot.
What are examples of 'freezing' injuries?

• Frostnip is the mildest form of a freezing cold injury. It occurs when ear lobes, noses, cheeks,
fingers, or toes are exposed to the cold and the top layers of a skin freeze. The skin of the affected
area turns white and it may feel numb. The top layer of skin feels hard but the deeper tissue still
feels normal (soft).

• Frostnip can be prevented by wearing warm clothing and foot wear. It is treated by gentle
rewarming (e.g., holding the affected tissue next to unaffected skin of the victim or of another
person). As for all cold-induced injuries, never rub the affected parts - ice crystals in the tissue
could cause damage if the skin is rubbed. Do not use very hot objects such as hot water bottles to
rewarm the area or person.

• Frostbite is a common injury caused by exposure to extreme cold or by contact with extremely
cold objects (especially those made of metal). It may also occur in normal temperatures from
contact with cooled or compressed gases. Frostbite occurs when tissue temperature falls below
the freezing point (0°C/32°F), or when blood flow is obstructed. Blood vessels may be severely
and permanently damaged, and blood circulation may stop in the affected tissue. In mild cases,
the symptoms include inflammation of the skin in patches accompanied by slight pain. In severe
cases, there could be tissue damage without pain, or there could be burning or prickling
sensations resulting in blisters. Frostbitten skin is highly susceptible to infection, and gangrene
(local death of soft tissues due to loss of blood supply) may develop.
What first aid can I do if someone has frostbite?

First aid for frostbite, as well as immersion or trench foot, includes:

• Seek medical attention;
• If possible, move the victim to a warm area;
• Gently loosen or remove constricting clothing or jewellery that may restrict
circulation;
• Loosely cover the affected area with a sterile dressing. Place some gauze
between fingers and toes to absorb moisture and prevent them from sticking
together;
• Quickly transport the victim to an emergency care facility;
• DO NOT attempt to rewarm the affected area on site (but do try to stop the
area from becoming any colder) - without the proper facilities tissue that has
been warmed may refreeze and cause more damage;
• DO NOT rub area or apply dry heat; and
• DO NOT allow the victim to drink alcohol or smoke.
What is hypothermia

• In moderately cold environments, the body's core temperature does not usually fall
more than 1°C to 2°C below the normal 37°C because of the body's ability to adapt.
However, in intense cold without adequate clothing, the body is unable to compensate
for the heat loss and the body's core temperature starts to fall. The sensation of cold
followed by pain in exposed parts of the body is one the first signs of mild
hypothermia.

• As the temperature continues to drop or as the exposure time increases, the feeling of
cold and pain starts to diminish because of increasing numbness (loss of sensation).
If no pain can be felt, serious injury can occur without the victim's noticing it.

• Next, muscular weakness and drowsiness are experienced. This condition is called
hypothermia and usually occurs when body temperature falls below 33°C. Additional
symptoms of hypothermia include interruption of shivering, diminished consciousness
and dilated pupils. When body temperature reaches 27°C, coma (profound
unconsciousness) sets in. Heart activity stops around 20°C and the brain stops
functioning around 17°C.
Hyperthermia Related Illness

• Low Ambient Temperatures • Head Ache

• High Humidity Mild • Nausea / Vomiting
Environmental • Symptoms •
Causes Low Air Flow Lethargy / Fatigue
• Physical Activity (CBT 39º) • Light Headed
• Clothing

• Disorientation
• Overweight - General Fitness Levels
• Heart, Circulatory or Skin Diseases
• Delirium
Severe • Convulsion
• Certain Drugs or Medicines
Personal Symptoms •
• Lack Of Acclimatisation Loss of
Causes (CBT 41º)
• Alcohol or Soft Drink Induced Consciousness
• Medical Conditions such as • Death
Diabetes

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What are the signs of hypothermia?

Mild Hypothermia
• 37.2-36.1ºC (99 - 97ºF) Normal, shivering may begin.

• 36.1-35ºC (97 - 95ºF) Cold sensation, goose bumps, unable to perform complex
tasks with hands, shivering can be mild to severe, hands numb.

Moderate Hypothermia
• 35-33.9ºC (95 - 93ºF) Shivering, intense, muscles incoordination becomes apparent,
movements slow and laboured, stumbling pace, mild confusion, may appear alert.
Use sobriety test, if unable to walk a 9 meter (30 foot) straight line, the person is
hypothermic.

• 33.9-32.2ºC (93 - 90ºF) Violent shivering persists, difficulty speaking, sluggish

thinking, amnesia starts to appear, gross muscle movements sluggish, unable to use
hands, stumbles frequently, difficulty speaking, signs of depression, withdrawn.
Effects of Exposure

Severe Hypothermia
• 32.2-30ºC (90 - 86ºF) Shivering stops, exposed skin blue of puffy, muscle
coordination very poor, inability to walk, confusion, incoherent/irrational
behaviour, but may be able to maintain posture and appearance of awareness

• 30-27.8ºC (86 - 82ºF) Muscle rigidity, semiconscious, stupor, loss of awareness

of others, pulse and respiration rate decrease, possible heart fibrillation.

• 27.8-25.6ºC (82 - 78ºF) Unconscious, a heart beat and respiration erratic, a

pulse may not be obvious.

• 25.6-23.9ºC (78 - 75ºF) Pulmonary enema, cardiac and respiratory failure,

death. Death may occur before this temperature is reached.
Hyperthermia Related Illness

Prevention
Eat regular meals / soups or warm sweet
drinks
Drink a glass of water every ½ hr
depending on work load
Keep in a warm environment as much as
possible with wind chill factor below -7c
Dress adequately / many light layers, keep
clean and dry

Reduce alcohol / caffeine intake

Self monitoring / not working alone

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Dehydration Chart

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First Aid for Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a medical emergency. At the first sign, find medical help immediately. The
survival of the victim depends on their co-workers ability to recognize the symptoms of
hypothermia. The victim is generally not able to notice his or her own condition.

First aid for hypothermia includes the following steps:

• Seek medical help immediately. Hypothermia is a medical emergency;
• Ensure that wet clothing is removed;
• Place the victim between blankets (or towels, newspaper, etc.) so the body temperature
can rise gradually. Body-to-body contact can help warm the victim's temperature slowly.
Be sure to cover the person's head;
• Give warm, sweet (caffeine-free, non-alcoholic) drinks unless the victim is rapidly losing
consciousness, unconscious, or convulsing;
• Quickly transport the victim to an emergency medical facility;
• Do not attempt to rewarm the victim on a site (e.g., do not use hot water bottles or
electric blankets); and
• Perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) if the victim stops breathing. Continue to
provide CPR until medical aid is available. The body slows when it is very cold and in
some cases, hypothermia victims that have appeared "dead" have been successfully
resuscitated.
What factors modify our response to cold?

A cold environment challenges the worker in three ways: by air temperature, air movement
(wind speed), and humidity (wetness). In order to work safely, these challenges have to be
counterbalanced by proper insulation (layered protective clothing), by physical activity and by
controlled exposure to cold (work / rest schedule).

• Air Temperature: Air temperature is measured by an ordinary thermometer in degrees

Celsius (°C) or degrees Fahrenheit (°F).

• Wind Speed: Different types of commercially-available anemometers are used to

measure wind speed or air movement. These are calibrated in meters per second (m/s),
kilometres per hour (km/h) or miles per hour (mph). Air movement is usually measured in
m/s while wind speed is usually measured in km/h or mph. The following is a suggested
guide for estimating wind speed if accurate information is not available:
• 8 km/h (5 mph): light flag moves,
• 16 km/h (10 mph): light flag fully extended,
• 24 km/h (15 mph): raises newspaper sheet, and
• 32 km/h (20 mph): causes blowing and drifting snow.
Humidity (wetness)

Water conducts heat away from the body 25 x faster then dry air.

• Physical Activity: The production of body heat by physical activity

(metabolic rate) is difficult to measure. However, tables are available in
literature showing metabolic rates for a variety of activities. Metabolic heat
production is measured in kilo calories (kcal) per hour. One kilocalorie is the
amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water by
1°C.

• Work / rest schedule: The chart below provides a schedule that has been
adopted by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
(ACGIH) as Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for cold stress.

• Protective clothing: Check section on "What should I know about personal

protective equipment (PPE) for working in the cold?"
What is the wind-chill temperature?

• At any temperature, you feel colder as the wind speed increases. The
combined effect of cold air and wind speed is expressed as
"equivalent chill temperature" (ECT) or simply "wind chill"
temperature in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit. It is essentially the air
temperature that would feel the same on exposed human flesh as the
given combination of air temperature and wind speed. It can be used
as a general guideline for deciding clothing requirements and the
possible health effects of cold.

• The term "wind chill factor" is used. This is a measurement of a heat

loss rate caused by exposure to wind and it is expressed as the rate of
energy loss per unit area of exposed skin per second (e.g.,
joules/[second-metre2] or watts/metre2, W/m2).
What can be done to help prevent the adverse effects of cold?

• For continuous work in temperatures below the freezing point, heated

warming shelters such as gers, tents, cabins or rest rooms should be
available. The work should be paced to avoid excessive sweating. If such
work is necessary, proper rest periods in a warm area should be allowed
and employees should change into dry clothes. New employees should be
given enough time to get acclimatized to cold and protective clothing before
assuming a full work load.

• The risk of cold injury can be minimized by proper equipment design, safe
work practices and appropriate clothing.
What can be done to help prevent the adverse effects of cold?

Equipment Design
• For work below the freezing point, metal handles and bars should be covered by thermal
insulating material. Also, machines and tools should be designed so that they can be operated
without having to remove mittens or gloves.

Surveillance and Monitoring

• Every workplace where the temperature may fall below 16°C should be equipped with a suitable
thermometer to monitor any further temperature changes. For colder workplaces with
temperatures below the freezing point, the temperature should be monitored at least every 4
hours. For indoor workplaces, whenever the rate of air movement exceeds 2 meters per second
(5 miles per hour). In outdoor workplaces with air temperature below the freezing point, both air
temperature and wind speed should be recorded.

Emergency Procedures
• Procedures for providing first aid and obtaining medical care should be clearly outlined. For each
shift, at least one trained person should be assigned the responsibility of attending to
emergencies.
What can be done to help prevent the adverse effects of cold?

Education
• Workers and supervisors involved with work in cold environments should be informed
about symptoms of adverse effect exposure to cold, proper clothing habits, safe work
practices, physical fitness requirements for work in cold, and emergency procedures in
case of cold injury. While working in cold, a buddy system should be used. Look out for
one another and be alert for the symptoms of hypothermia.

Clothing
• Protective clothing is needed for work at or below 4°C. Clothing should be selected to suit
the temperature, weather conditions (e.g., wind speed, rain), the level and duration of
activity, and job design. These factors are important to consider so that you can regulate
the amount of heat and perspiration you generate while working. If the work pace is too
fast or if the type and amount of clothing are not properly selected, excessive sweating
may occur. The clothing next to body will become wet and the insulation value of the
clothing will decrease dramatically. This increases the risk for cold injuries.
What can be done to help prevent the adverse effects
of cold?
• Clothing should be worn in multiple layers which provide better protection than a single thick
garment. The air between layers of clothing provides better insulation than the clothing itself. Having
several layers also gives you the option to open or remove a layer before you get too warm and start
sweating or to add a layer when you take a break. It also allows you to accommodate changing
temperatures and weather conditions. Successive outer layers should be larger than the inner layer,
otherwise the outermost layer will compress the inner layers and will decrease the insulation
properties of the clothing.

• The inner layer should provide insulation and be able to "wick" moisture away from the skin to help
keep it dry. Thermal underwear made from polyesters or polypropylene is suitable for this purpose.
"Fishnet" underwear made from polypropylene wicks perspiration away from the skin and is
significantly thicker than regular underwear. It also keeps the second layer away from the skin. The
open mesh pattern enables the moisture to evaporate and be captured on the next layer away from
the skin. The second layer covers the "holes" in the fishnet underwear which contributes to the
insulation properties of the clothing.

• The additional layers of clothing should provide adequate insulation for the weather conditions under
which the work being done. They should also be easy to open or remove before you get too warm to
prevent excessive sweating during strenuous activity. Outer jackets should have the means for
closing off and opening the waist, neck and wrists to help control how much heat is retained or given
off. Some jackets have netted pockets and vents around the trunk and under the arm pits (with
zippers or Velcro fasteners) for added ventilation possibilities.
What can be done to help prevent the adverse effects
of cold?
For work in wet conditions, the outer layer of clothing should be waterproof. If the work area cannot
be shielded against wind, an easily removable windbreak garment should be used. Under
extremely cold conditions, heated protective clothing should be made available if the work cannot
be done on a warmer day.

• Almost 50 % of body heat is lost through the head. A wool knit cap or a liner under a hard hat
can reduce excessive heat loss;

• Clothing should be kept clean since dirt fills air cells in fibres of clothing and destroys its
insulating ability;

• Clothing must be dry. Moisture should be kept off clothes by removing snow prior to entering
heated shelters. While the worker is resting in a heated area, perspiration should be allowed to
escape by opening the neck, waist, sleeves and ankle fasteners or by removing outerwear. If
the rest area is warm enough it is preferable to take off the outer layer(s) so that the
perspiration can evaporate from the clothing;

• If fine manual dexterity is not required, gloves should be used below 4°C for light work and
below -7°C for moderate work. For work below -17°C, mittens should be used; and

• Cotton is not recommended. It tends to get damp or wet quickly, and loses its insulating
properties. Wool and synthetic fibres, on the other hand, do retain heat when wet.
What can be done to help prevent the adverse effects
of cold?
Footwear
• Felt-lined, rubber bottomed, leather-topped boots with removable felt insoles are best
suited for heavy work in cold since leather is porous, allowing the boots to "breathe"
and let perspiration evaporate. Leather boots can be "waterproofed" with some
products that do not block the pores in the leather. However, if work involves standing
in water or slush (e.g., fire fighting, farming), the waterproof boots must be worn.
While these protect the feet from getting wet from cold water in the work environment,
they also prevent the perspiration to escape. The insulating materials and socks will
become wet more quickly than when wearing leather boots and increase the risk for
frostbite.

• Foot Comfort and Safety at Work has some general information how to select
footwear. (Also, when trying on boots before purchase, wear the same type of sock
that you would wear at work to ensure a proper fit.)
What can be done to help prevent the adverse effects
of cold?
Socks
• You may prefer to wear one pair of thick, bulky socks or two pairs - one inner sock of
silk, nylon, or thin wool and a slightly larger, thick outer sock. Liner socks made from
polypropylene will help keep feet dry and warmer by wicking sweat away from the
skin. However, as the outer sock becomes damper, its insulation properties decrease.
If work conditions permit, have extra socks available so you can dry your feet and
change socks during the day. If two pairs of socks are worn, the outer sock should be
a larger size so that the inner sock is not compressed.

• Always wear the right thickness of socks for your boots. If they are too thick, the
boots will be "tight," and the socks will lose much of their insulating properties when
they are compressed inside the boot. The foot would also be "squeezed" which would
slow the blood flow to the feet and increase the risk for cold injuries. If the socks are
too thin, the boots will fit loosely and may lead to blisters.
What can be done to help prevent the adverse effects
of cold?
Face and Eye Protection
• In extremely cold conditions, where face protection is used, eye protection must be separated
from the nose and mouth to prevent exhaled moisture from fogging and frosting eye shields or
glasses. Select protective eye wear that is appropriate for the work you are doing, and for
protection against ultraviolet light from the sun, glare from the snow, blowing snow/ice crystals,
and high winds at cold temperatures.

What are some additional prevention tips?

To prevent excessive sweating while working, remove clothing in the following order:
• mittens or gloves (unless you need protection from snow or ice);
• headgear and scarf;
• then open the jacket at the waist and wrists, and remove layers of clothing; and
• as you cool down, follow the reverse order of the above steps.

• Prevent contact of bare skin with cold surfaces (especially metallic) below -7°C as well as
avoiding skin contact when handling evaporative liquids (gasoline, alcohol, cleaning fluids) below
4°C. Sitting or standing still for prolonged periods should also be avoided.
What can be done to help prevent the adverse effects
of cold?
• Balanced meals and adequate liquid intake are essential to maintain body heat and
prevent dehydration. Eat properly and frequently. Working in the cold requires more
energy than in warm weather because the body is working to keep the body warm. It
requires more effort to work when wearing bulky clothing and winter boots especially
when walking through snow.

• Drink fluids often especially when doing strenuous work. For warming purposes, hot
non-alcoholic beverages or soup are suggested. Caffeinated drinks such as coffee
should be limited because it increases urine production and contributes to dehydration.
Caffeine also increases the blood flow at the skin surface which can increase the loss of
body heat.

• Alcohol should not be consumed as it causes expansion of blood vessels in the skin
(cutaneous vasodilation) and impairs the body's ability to regulate temperature (it affects
shivering that can increase your body temperature). These effects cause the body to
lose heat and thus increase the risk of hypothermia.

• In refrigerated rooms, the air speed should not exceed 1 meter per second. If workers
are simultaneously exposed to vibration and/or toxic substances, reduced limits for cold
exposure may be necessary.
Summary: Prevention is key as in most cases in any
thing we do

What does prevention mean for us here:

• Prevent sweating, by wearing many thin layers (boot sole liners, 2x pairs of socks)
and dressing up and down accordingly. By drying out the boot inners, yet not putting
them on when hot and not getting into a heated car or office then going out side
allowing the sweat to freeze;
• Stay clean, by using coveralls or others forms of PPE aprons etc.; and
• Dry by preventing sweating, staying in sheltered areas, changing clothing during the
shift if need be.

Act quickly in the event of a vehicle break down and knowingly that you maybe there for
some time, but finding additional shelter other than the vehicle, to prevent exposure to
wind and moisture, keep the fluids up and using natural material to keep warm (grass,
wood, dung etc.) if these are not available use what is in the vehicle seats, tyres and
these may be light by the spark off the vehicle battery.
37