Cold Stress

Training Objectives By the end of the session you will: Know what cold stress is Understand the WorkSafeBC Regulations Understand the risks Know how to control the risk Be able to identify symptoms Know first aid response

Agenda Definitions Regulations Responsibilities Hazard Identification

Agenda Risk Assessment Risk Controls Recognizing Symptoms First Aid Procedures

Definitions Accidental Exposure Artificially Cold Workplace Cold-Related Injuries Cold Stress Equivalent Temperature Hypothermia

Regulation The Regulation applies if workers may be exposed to thermal conditions that: May cause cold stress injury Could cause core body temp to fall Are below ACGIH acceptable levels

Regulation Assessment and exposure control Cold stress controls Heated shelters Clothing and PPE

Responsibilities Employer Conduct risk assessments Develop and implement exposure control plan Provide training Provide heated shelter or vehicle

Responsibilities Employer – continued Maintain records Ensure adequate first aid coverage

Responsibilities Managers Ensure that a cold stress assessment is performed Provide administrative controls Ensure protective clothing is available Ensure workers receive training

Responsibilities Supervisors Known or reasonably foreseeable cold hazards Health and safety of all workers Safe work practices

Responsibilities Workers Follow safe work procedures Seek shelter if displaying symptoms of hypothermia Wear adequate clothing Avoid getting wet

Responsibilities Workers – continued Wear eye protection when warranted Wear PPE

Responsibilities Joint OHS Committee Advise the Employer on procedures and systems Help evaluate workplace conditions Deal with worker complaints Help with incident investigations and worksite inspections

Risk Identification Environmental Hazards Job or Task-Related Hazards Personal Risk Hazards

Risk Identification Environmental Risks Observe conditions and note hazards Determine risks of accidental exposure Look at previous history of exposure to cold Conduct risk assessment if hazard(s) is present

Risk Identification Job / Task Related Risks Observe the tasks Determine hazards that may expose workers to risk If task-related hazard is present implement controls

Risk Identification Personal Risks Poor physical fitness Not used to working in the cold Cold or other flu like symptoms Chronic illness or circulatory problems Using certain drugs or medication Exhibiting symptoms of fatigue Vibration white finger disease

Risk Assessment Documentation Taking measurements Categorizing the risk Vibration and accidental exposure Accidental exposure Conditions that require a mandatory assessment

Risk Assessment Cold Stress Risk Assessment Form Section One Section Two Measurements Category and control Hand/arm vibration Accidental exposure

Risk Assessment Conditions Requiring Assessment Conditions that cold cause cold stress or injury Conditions that could cause worker’s core body temperature to fall below 36C Conditions below levels classed by ACGIH as “little danger”

Risk Controls Working in hazardous wind chill conditions Contact with cold surfaces Bare hands in a cold environment Administrative controls Personal Protective Equipment & Clothing

Risk Controls Wind Chill Conditions Heated shelter or vehicle to be available Worker instructions Workers must wear adequate protective clothing

Risk Controls Contacting Cold Surfaces Protective clothing and equipment Wear protective gloves, mittens and footwear Wear insulated gloves when surfaces are colder than -7  C Avoid skin contact with cold surfaces

Risk Controls Hand Protection Warm air jets, radiant heaters or warm contact plates for hand warming Controls designed for operation by gloved hands

Risk Controls Administrative Controls Adjustment to the cold Reduce activities performed outdoors Remain well hydrated Eat properly according to the cold climate Establish a buddy system

Risk Controls Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment Wear insulated outer clothing Use protective clothing in controlled environments Change out of wet clothing

Risk Controls Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment – continued Immediately change to dry clothing if immersed in water Wear PPE if danger of frostbite

Prevention Understanding the personal risk factors Following safe work practices Proper use of clothing Using shelters Following guidelines for eating and drinking

Prevention Personal Risk Factors Poor physical fitness Not used to working in the cold Cold or other flu like symptoms Chronic illness or circulatory problems Using certain drugs or medication that inhibit the body’s response to the cold or impairs judgment Vibration white finger disease

Prevention Safe Work Practices Use a “buddy system” Do a regular “self-check” for symptoms If you discover a cold-related injury NOTE: this last point isn’t finished.

Prevention Proper use of clothing Under Layer Insulating Layer Outer Layer

Prevention Use of Shelters Provide shelters at -7  C or below Use shelters at regular intervals Remove outer clothing and allow ventilation Assess cold injury or hypothermia victims

Prevention Eating and Drinking Guidelines High caloric intake is recommended for cold work Warm sweet drinks available Drink frequently Avoid coffee Avoid alcohol

Recognizing Symptoms Mild Hypothermia Moderate Hypothermia Severe Hypothermia Frostnip & Frostbite

Recognizing Symptoms Mild Hypothermia Feel chilled / cold Goose bumps Limited hand movement Poor judgment Shivering Numb hands

Recognizing Symptoms Moderate Hypothermia Violent shivering or shivering has stopped Inability to think / focus Mild confusion

Recognizing Symptoms Moderate Hypothermia – continued Slow, shallow breathing Slurred speech Poor co-ordination Slow, weak pulse

Recognizing Symptoms Severe Hypothermia Shivering has stopped Unconsciousness Little or no breathing Weak, irregular or non-existent pulse

Recognizing Symptoms Severe Hypothermia – continued Dilated pupils Exposed skin blue and/or puffy Similar symptoms to clinical definition of death

Recognizing Symptoms Frostbite / Frostnip Top layers of skin tissue freeze Skin appearance: white, waxy Top layer of skin feels hard & rubbery Deep tissue is still soft Numbness

Recognizing Symptoms Superficial Frostbite Skin appearance: white Wooden feeling throughout affected area All layers of skin affected Numbness, sensation may be absent

Recognizing Symptoms Deep Frostbite Skin appears white Affected areas feels ‘wooden’ to touch Includes all layers of skin May include freezing of muscle or bone

First Aid General Procedures Frostbite Managing & Re-warming Injuries Accidental Exposure

First Aid General Procedures Handle victim gently Remove from cold and assess Give hot fluids only if victim is conscious Do not attempt to exercise victim Prevent further heat loss

First Aid Frostbite Rewarm the area gently Do not rub the area If area is large, use immersion method Transport to hospital if necessary

First Aid Management and Re-Warming Minimize exertion Remove wet clothing Get the victim into warm, dry clothes Wrap victim in warm blankets

First Aid Management and Re-Warming - continued Cover victim’s head Place something warm and dry under the victim Move the victim to a warm environment

First Aid Management and Re-Warming - continued Do not make the victim exercise Do not suppress shivering Do not massage extremities or trunk Do not place in warm bath or shower

First Aid Accidental Exposure Unplanned event Clothing and equipment Treat appropriately Assessed by OFAA or physician

Survival Kit A change of clothing Emergency supplies Light weight emergency rain poncho Spare gloves, footwear, head covering and face mask

Survival Kit Protective eye wear Sleeping bag stored in plastic vapor- barrier wrapper Means of communication i.e. cell phone, 2-way radio

Summary WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation Risk identification Risk assessment Risk controls Symptoms First aid

Questions?