Winterize your Workplace!

Work is hard enough without having to deal with cold weather, right?  Not to mention the accidents and associated costs that go along with winter’s working woes.  No one wants to deal with workplace issues in any season, especially during the cold winter months.  It’s no secret that during winter there are several predictable and unforeseeable factors that contribute to workplace incidents.  I’m sure many of you know from first hand experience that freezing temperatures and icy roads, to name a few, can change any workplace environment from safe to dangerous over night, leading to countless dangerous situations.  Here at Summit, we have found that the best way to combat these winter risks is to take preventative measures with training.  Be prepared with the wisdom to withstand the winter this season with some important safety suggestions that can be found in three our winter-related programs. 

o       Winter Driving

It is no surprise that vehicle accidents increase dramatically in the wintertime; icy roads, cold temperatures, and snow dramatically change everyone’s driving environment.  According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 38% of all driving accidents from October to March are winter-related, supporting the need for taking extra precautions during these months. 

Some Tips For Driving In Winter Weather:

• Reduce speeds. Remember that the posted speed limit is for ideal travel conditions. 
• Allow for extra travel time or consider delaying trips if the weather is inclement. 
• Always use headlights during inclement weather. 
•  Make sure windshield wipers, batteries, tires and defrosters are working and in good condition. 
• Carry blankets, flares and other equipment that would be helpful in an emergency. 
• Maintain a safe distance between you and other vehicles. 
• Be courteous to other drivers. 
• Keep to the right except to pass, using turn signals to alert other drivers of your intentions. 
• Always buckle seat belts.

o       Cold Stress & Hypothermia

Cold Stress hazards, like hypothermia and frostbite, can result from adverse environmental conditions and can set in without warning.  What’s worse, is that these hazards are not limited to winter alone; they can occur during any season and in different environments, such as freezers or refrigerators and when working underground or outdoors.  According to findings from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in recent years an astonishing total of 4,607 death certificates in the United States had hypothermia-related diagnoses listed as the underlying cause of death or nature of injury leading.  Knowing how to protect you and your workers from these chilling hazards and prevent costly accidents is essential for a safe workplace.   

Recommendations for employers for protection against Cold Stress:

• Schedule maintenance and repair jobs in cold areas for warmer months.
• Schedule cold jobs for the warmer part of the day.
• Reduce the physical demands of workers.
• Use relief workers or assign extra workers for long, demanding jobs.
• Provide warm liquids to workers.
• Provide warm areas for use during break periods.
• Monitor workers who are at risk of cold stress.
• Provide cold stress training that includes information about:
• Worker risk
• Prevention
• Symptoms
• The importance of monitoring yourself and coworkers for symptoms
• Treatment
• Personal protective equipment

Recommendations for workers to protect themselves from Cold Stress:

• Wear appropriate clothing.
• Wear several layers of loose clothing for better insulation.
• Looser clothing provides circulation to the extremities and will not restrict movement in a hazardous situation.
• Make sure to protect the ears, face, hands and feet in extremely cold weather.
• Boots should be waterproof and insulated.
• Wear a hat to reduce escaping body heat.
• Move into warm locations during work breaks; limit the amount of time outside on extremely cold days.
• Carry cold weather gear, such as extra socks, gloves, hats, jacket, blankets, a change of clothes and a thermos of hot liquid.
• Include a thermometer and chemical hot packs in your first aid kit.
• Avoid touching cold metal surfaces with bare skin.
• Monitor your physical condition and that of your coworkers.

An up-close look at Hypothermia: it’s a common form of cold stress and is a scary and serious consequence for all employees who work outdoors and are exposed to cold and wet environments for long periods of time.  Hypothermia occurs when the body loses more heat than it is producing. 

Here are signs and symptoms of hypothermia:

• Cool skin
• Slower, irregular breathing
• Slower heartbeat
• Weak pulse
• Uncontrollable shivering
• Severe shaking
• Rigid muscles
• Drowsiness
• Exhaustion
• Slurred speech
• Memory lapses

Treatment for Hypothermia:

• Move the victim into a warm room or shelter.
• Remove their wet clothing.
• Warm the center of their body first-chest, neck, head, and groin-using an electric blanket, if available; or use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets.
• Warm beverages may help increase the body temperature, but do not give alcoholic beverages. Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person.
• After their body temperature has increased, keep the victim dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck.
• If victim has no pulse, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

How to avoid Hypothermia:

• Train employees on cold and changing weather
• Use a buddy system
• Adjust work schedule for cold and changing weather
• Wearing layered clothing
• Wear full Personal Protective Equipment
• Consume good amounts of warm foods and liquids
• Wear eye protection 

For more information in these issues and how we can help with our programs, call 800.842.0466 or visit www.safetyontheweb.com and defrost your risk today!