Working Winter

Recognition of hazards working in cold

weather.
Hypothermia

Non Freezing cold injuries

Freezing cold injuries

 Working Winter

Hypothermia

Defined as cooling of the body’s core temperature below 350C(950F). The

body loses heat faster than it can produce.
The onset is preceded by fatigue and metal confusion. The person begins
to have uncontrolled shivering, poor coordination and slurred speech and
shows poor judgment. If not controlled this condition can lead to death.

Treatment
Prevent further exposure and bring them into a warm environment.
Remove any wet clothing and replace by dry warm clothing. Further
warming can be done with blankets, air heaters and warm drinks
depending on the degree of hypothermia.
 Working Winter
Non Freezing Cold Injuries
CHILBLAIN : Inflammation of the hands and feet due to exposure to cold
and moisture. Localised areas on the hands and / or feet swell and become
painful and start to itch. The symptoms may develop some hours after the
exposure.

PREVENTION: The hands and feet must

be kept warm and dry.

TREATMENT: Gently re-warm these

areas. Simple pain relief can be given.
 Working Winter
Trench Foot: Caused by continuous exposure to cold without freezing,
combined with constant dampness or immersion in water. Found most
often when wet socks are worn for long periods of time. This results in
swelling, redness, itching, numbness, severe pain and eventually death of
the tissue.

Prevention : Is based on wearing well fitting, water resistant, dry

footwear.

Treatment : Elevate the affected area and keep it warm, clean and most
of all dry.
 Working Winter
Fingertip Fissures : Deep, intractable and very painful fissuring may
occur on the fingertips when exposed to prolonged or repeated cold
conditions. A combination of cold and drying of the skin may be
responsible. Can be so painful that they may prevent the use of the fingers.

Prevention: Keeping the hands as warm as possible and maintaining

skin hydration through moisturising cream.

Treatment: Can be difficult.

 Working Winter
Freezing Cold Injuries

Frostnip : The freezing of the skin and superficial tissue. The skins turns
white after exposure to cold wind. The freezing of the tissue, mostly the
face (ears, nose and cheeks) and fingers. The first symptoms include a
stinging, prickling pain. Underlying tissue is not frozen as in frost bite.

Prevention: Requires vigilance, working in pairs in which each looks

after the welfare of the other, and protective clothing.

Treatment: In a warm area the affected part can be rapidly re-warmed.

 Working Winter
Frostbite : This is the freezing of deeper, as well as
superficial, tissue. It usually affects the fingers, toes, nose,
cheeks and ears. It can provoke various levels of tissue
damage all the way so that amputation may be necessary, of
the affected area. There are various degrees:-
First – Freezing without peeling or
blistering of the skin
Second – Freezing with blistering and peeling
 Working Winter
Third – Freezing with death of the skin tissue
and in some cases deeper tissue.

Prevention : Requires vigilance, a buddy

system, protective clothing.

Treatment of Frostbite : The aim of treatment is to prevent or reduce

tissue loss. In frostbite, do not try to re-warm the extremity by rubbing
with snow or soaking in cold water. Protect the frozen area from
additional injury and especially further exposure from the cold. Re-
warming is very painful and pain relief may be required.
 Working Winter
Cold Burn : Is the instant superficial freezing of tissue
when touching a very cold object or tool.

Prevention: Requires that gloves be worn and skin contact

with cold surfaces be avoided.
 Working Winter
Snow Blindness : This isthe excessive exposure to ultraviolet light
reflecting of snow or ice which basically causes a sunburn of the surface
of the eye. The eye weeps profusely, becomes red and further exposure to
light is extremely painful.

Prevention: Based on protective sunglasses or goggles which are more

protective if they have side covers.

Treatment : Rest and protection from light. The use of simple analgesics
to reduce pain and use an eye patch to cover the eye. Usually there is no
permanent blindness.
 Working Winter
Beaufort Wind Chill Factor
Wind-chill Factor Table (in º Fahrenheit)

AIR TEMP Wind speed in mph.

CALM 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

50 50 48 40 36 32 30 28 27 26

40 40 37 28 22 18 16 13 11 10

30 30 27 16 9 4 0 -2 -4 -6

20 20 16 4 -5 -10 -15 -18 -20 -21

10 10 6 -9 -18 -25 -29 -33 -35 -37

0 0 -5 -21 -36 -39 -44 -48 -49 -53

-10 -10 -15 -33 -45 -53 -59 -63 -67 -69

-20 -20 -26 -46 -58 -67 -74 -79 -82 -85

-30 -30 -36 -58 -72 -82 -87 -94 -98 -102
 Working Winter
Clothing Requirements :

You should always have the correct combination of clothing

to work comfortably in cold conditions.

The insulating capacity of the clothing worn is mainly

determined by the amount of air trapped inside and between
the surface of the textiles.

Clothing should comprise a multi-layered system with each

layer serving a specific purpose.
 Working Winter
Clothing layers:
Inner layer (underwear): Moisture absorption and moisture transport.
Modern thermal clothes have good wicking properties

Middle Layer (Shirt and sweater): Provide insulation and further

moisture transport.

Outer Layer (Arctic clothing rain gear) Protection against the external
environment ( wind and water) and moisture transport. This layer should
therefore be waterproof, wind proof and durable.
 Working Winter

Also the head should be protected adequately with hard hat

insert, or hood. When in the wind the eyes and face should be
protected by mask and goggles.

Remember to always dress warm and keep to the buddy

system.
 Working Winter
Food and Water requirements:
Colder conditions may necessitate modifications in food and water
intake as an increase in calorie consumption is needed to maintain
body temperature. As much as 4,000 Calories per day may be
required.

Water loss – is an important factor in cold climates due to normal

body perspiration, nasal dripping, normal urine output, vapour lost
in respiration and sweating provoked by muscular effort. Water
compensation may requires drinking up to 4 to 5 litres of fluids or
warm, sweet drinks per day. Urine colour gives a good estimate of
adequate intake – it should be clear to pale yellow in colour