When you are outside, frostbite and hypothermia are possible so you need to protect yourself.
- Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing.
- Wear a hat. Try to stay dry and out of the wind.
- Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.
- Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves.
Cold Stress
Cold temperatures and increased wind speed (wind chill) cause heat to leave the body more quickly, putting individuals at risk of cold stress
Common Types of Cold Stress
Hypothermia
- Normal body temperature (98.6°F) drops to 95°F or less.
- Mild Symptoms: alert but shivering.
- Moderate to Severe Symptoms: shivering stops; confusion; slurred speech; heart rate/breathing slow; loss of consciousness; death.
- CDC information:
- Hypothermia is caused by prolonged exposures to very cold temperatures. When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it’s produced. Lengthy exposures will eventually use up your body’s stored energy, which leads to lower body temperature.
- Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia especially dangerous, because a person may not know that it’s happening and won’t be able to do anything about it.
- While hypothermia is most likely at very cold temperatures, it can occur even at cool temperatures (above 40°F) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water.
Frostbite
- Body tissues freeze, e.g., hands and feet. Can occur at temperatures above freezing, due to wind chill. May result in amputation.
- Symptoms: numbness, reddened skin develops gray/white patches, feels firm/hard, and may blister.
How to Protect Yourself and Others
Know the symptoms; monitor yourself and those around you
Drink warm, sweetened fluids (no alcohol).
Dress properly:
- Layers of loose-fitting, insulating clothes
- Insulated jacket, gloves, and a hat (waterproof, if necessary)
- Insulated and waterproof boots
If Someone Is Experiencing Cold Stress
For Hypothermia:
Hypothermia is a medical emergency – Call 216.368.3333 (on-campus) or 911 (off-campus) immediately
To prevent further heat loss:
- Move the individual to a warm place.
- Change to dry clothes.
- Cover the body (including the head and neck) with blankets, and with something to block the cold (e.g., tarp, garbage bag). Do not cover the face.
If medical help is more than 30 minutes away:
- Give warm, sweetened drinks if alert (no alcohol).
- Apply heat packs to the armpits, sides of chest, neck, and groin.
For Frostbite:
- Follow the recommendations “For Hypothermia”.
- Do not rub the frostbitten area.
- Avoid walking on frostbitten feet.
- Do not apply snow/water. Do not break blisters.
- Loosely cover and protect the area from contact.
- Do not try to rewarm the area unless directed by medical personnel.
Working Safely in Cold Weather
Winter weather can expose outdoor workers to frostbite, hypothermia, and cold stress, all of which can be fatal. It is important to know the wind chill temperature to better prepare and perform the work safely.
Working Safely in Cold Weather (OSHA)
Follow these work practices to stay safe in cold weather:
- Know the symptoms of cold stress; reddening skin, tingling, pain, swelling, leg cramps, numbness,
- and blisters.
- Dress properly; wear at least three layers of loose-fitting clothing, insulated gloves and boots,
- and cover your head.
- Monitor your physical condition and that of your coworkers.
- Stay dry and pack extra clothes; moisture can increase heat loss from the body.
- Take frequent breaks in warm, dry areas.
- Drink warm liquids.
Other Cold Weather Tips
- Stay indoors as much as possible. If you are outdoors, take short breaks from the cold conditions every 20 minutes at least.
- Pay attention to weather reports, freezing conditions, and winter storm warnings.
- Adjust your schedule (if able) to avoid being outside during the coldest part of the day.
- Prepare and plan for what you would do in the event of a power outage.
- Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power.
- Purchase warm clothes that would be appropriate for layering.
- Protect your outdoor pets by ensuring they have access to warmth.
- Take precautions to protect your water pipes from freezing.
- Bring in or cover any outdoor plants that may be susceptible to the cold.
- Fill up your car tank and update your winter car survival kit.
- Keep in mind that slippery surfaces may also form if cold temperatures cause sprinkler systems or other piping to break and leak liquid.
- During cold wind chill, wear many layers of clothing and encourage others to do the same.