665 HAZWOPER for General Site Workers VI

Preventing Cold Stress

Acclimatization, water and salt replacement, medical screening, continuing medical supervision, proper work clothing, and training and education will contribute to the prevention of cold stress and injury related to working in a cold environment. Control of the environment involves engineering controls, work practices, work-rest schedules, environmental monitoring, and considerations of windchill temperature.

Acclimatization

Some degree of acclimatization may be achieved in cold environments. People who are physically unfit, older, obese, taking medication, or using alcohol or drugs may not acclimatize too readily.

Dehydration

Working in cold areas causes significant water losses through the skin and lungs because of the dryness of the air. Increased fluid intake is essential to prevent dehydration, which affects the flow of blood to the extremities and increases the risk of cold injury.

Salt

The body needs a certain amount of salt and other electrolytes to function properly. However, using salt tablets is not recommended. Salt tablets cause stomach irritation, which may include nausea and vomiting. A normal, balanced diet should take care of salt needs. Anyone with high blood pressure or who is on a restricted sodium diet should consult a physician for advice on salt intake.

Windchill

Air temperature alone is not sufficient to judge the cold hazard of an environment because even a light wind can blow away the thin layer of air which insulates the body against the cold air temperature. The "windchill factor" is the cooling effect of any combination of temperature and air movement. However, the windchill index does not consider:

• the body part exposed to the cold;
• the level of activity and the resulting heat produced; or
• the amount of clothing worn.

To guard against cold exposure, provide workers with appropriate clothing, have warm shelter available always, carefully schedule work and rest periods, and monitor workers' physical condition. Under no circumstances should a person be given an alcoholic beverage to keep warm because it increases the risk of cold exposure.

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