Slipping on ice in the company parking lot may be one of the most commonly reported winter work incidents, but it’s not the only cold weather culprit. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that over 40,000 workplace injuries occur annually because of snow and ice. In 2021, winter storms claimed the lives of 262 workers. The fact that weather-related deaths have risen 20 percent over the past five years has raised eyebrows, and rightfully so. As seasonally colder temperatures return, there is reason for concern. Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can prevent the body from maintaining its normal body temperature. This is called cold stress, and it can result in serious health threats such as hypothermia, frostbite, and trench foot. While providing winter clothing, protective equipment, and additional rest breaks are important, you shouldn’t overlook other methods to protect employees from the cold.
Cold weather exposures can occur in both indoor and outdoor work settings when temperatures dip near or below freezing. Additionally, the likelihood of hazards from extreme cold can differ depending upon geographical location and environmental variables.
Environmental factors that increase risk to workers when temperatures drop include:
- Increased wind speeds or cool winds;
- Dampness or humidity;
- Cold water, rain, snow, or sleet; and
- Challenging terrain that requires more exertion.
Employees that are not properly acclimated to cold working conditions, are not properly dressed for the cold, or have personal risk factors like diabetes (which already can prevent effective blood flow) are especially susceptible to cold stress. It’s important to take action before the body starts to shiver — as shivering is the way the body produces heat. Allowing core body temperatures to drop below 96.8 degrees Fahrenheit can lead to serious health conditions, tissue damage, or death.
Chilling facts of winter work:
Slipping on ice in the company parking lot may be one of the most commonly reported winter work incidents, but it’s not the only cold weather culprit. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that over 40,000 workplace injuries occur annually because of snow and ice. In 2021, winter storms claimed the lives of 262 workers. The fact that weather-related deaths have risen 20 percent over the past five years has raised eyebrows, and rightfully so. As seasonally colder temperatures return, there is reason for concern. Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can prevent the body from maintaining its normal body temperature. This is called cold stress, and it can result in serious health threats such as hypothermia, frostbite, and trench foot. While providing winter clothing, protective equipment, and additional rest breaks are important, you shouldn’t overlook other methods to protect employees from the cold.
Cold weather exposures can occur in both indoor and outdoor work settings when temperatures dip near or below freezing. Additionally, the likelihood of hazards from extreme cold can differ depending upon geographical location and environmental variables.
Environmental factors that increase risk to workers when temperatures drop include:
- Increased wind speeds or cool winds;
- Dampness or humidity;
- Cold water, rain, snow, or sleet; and
- Challenging terrain that requires more exertion.
Employees that are not properly acclimated to cold working conditions, are not properly dressed for the cold, or have personal risk factors like diabetes (which already can prevent effective blood flow) are especially susceptible to cold stress. It’s important to take action before the body starts to shiver — as shivering is the way the body produces heat. Allowing core body temperatures to drop below 96.8 degrees Fahrenheit can lead to serious health conditions, tissue damage, or death.