Hazard Alert: Working in Cold Weather: A Chilling Danger

Details

• Journal Article:
  The Journeyman Roofer & Waterproofer
• Corporate Authors:
  CPWR--The Center for Construction Research and Training
• Description:
  When the temperature drops... During the winter, construction workers face a natural hazard - cold weather. The colder it gets, the more energy you need to use to stay warm. When it is also windy and raining or snowing your body uses even more energy and loses heat faster. Working in cold or freezing temperatures for a long time can lead to health problems. Protect Yourself In Three Steps: 1) Dress for the weather... OSHA recommends wearing: a) Inner and outer layers that will keep you dry; b) A hat or hood that covers your ears, and a knit mask (if needed); c) Waterproof and insulated gloves; and d) Waterproof and insulated boots. Carry extra clothes in case the ones you are wearing get wet. 2) Drink the right liquids... To avoid becoming dehydrated, drink plenty of warm, sweet liquids, such as: a) Sports drinks, b) Soups, and c) Sugar water. Do not drink alcohol. Caffeine and alcohol cause your body to lose heat. 3) Be proactive and alert... When working in a cold environment for a long period of time: a) Learn the signs and symptoms of cold weather illnesses and injuries. b) Take frequent breaks in a warm area. c) Work in pairs so you and your coworker can spot the danger signs. d) Notify your supervisor and get medical help immediately if you or another worker has symptoms of hypothermia or another cold-related illness or injury. Remember - you are at a higher risk if you take certain medications, are in poor physical condition, or suffer from illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Cold Temperature Construction Industry Extreme Cold Frostbite Hazardous Substances Hypothermia Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Personal Protective Equipment Protective Clothing Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Safety Management Temperature Workplace

  More +
• Keywords:
  Construction; Construction-industry; Construction-workers; Construction-equipment; Safety-education; Safety-programs; Cold adaptation; Cold environments; Cold stress; Cold tolerance; Cold weather operations; Climatic conditions; Climatic effects; Climatic factors; Seasonal factors; Health hazards; Hazard recognition; Risk factors; Safety measures; Safety practices; Work environment; Potable water; Hypothermia; Frost bite; Temperature effects; Clothing; Protective clothing; Protective measures
• Source:
  Journeyman Roofer Waterproofer 2019 Dec; 79(4):21
• Series:
  CPWR - Center for Construction Research and Training Publications
• Subseries:
  Hazard Alerts
• ISSN:
  0890-961X
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  production of this document was supported by cooperative agreement OH 009762 from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Genre:
  Fact Sheet
• Place as Subject:
  Maryland ; OSHA Region 3
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1 pdf page
• Volume:
  79
• Issue:
  4
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20059156
• Contact Point Address:
  CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training, 8484 Georgia Avenue, Suite 1000, Silver Spring, MD 20910
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2020
• Performing Organization:
  CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training, Silver Spring, Maryland
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:84bb4678b08c838225c70db326e31ceb6ce54b24072320e050f0690a5882ed1942438ee3975cd3ac2c672c16bbde6bdbf6b1932e90321f16fa299571d572adca
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/134916/cdc_134916_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 296.60 KB ]