It’s important for those who will be working outside in cold climates to recognize the associated risks and hazards. Cold air, water and snow not only draw heat from the body, cold weather also forces the body to work harder to maintain its temperature.
Failure to understand or prepare for the winter dangers can pose great risks to those whose jobs keep them outdoors, warns Adam Soreff, director of marketing at UniFirst Corporation, a leading company that provides work uniforms and business services to diverse industries throughout North America.
Planning for cold weather work, wearing appropriate clothing and being aware of how your body is reacting to the cold are important to preventing conditions like cold stress, which occurs when the body can no longer maintain a normal temperature, he says. Other common problems caused by the cold include hypothermia, frostbite, and trench foot.
Protective clothing
Protective clothing is the most important way to stay safe and productive when working in the winter elements, Soreff notes, and offers these suggestions to share with workers:
- Wear layered clothing. Wearing multiple layers provides better insulation. Take off layers as you get too warm and put them on as it gets colder.
- If possible, wear thermal insulated coveralls. The coverall design largely eliminates core body heat loss while allowing good range of motion.
- Take extra clothes in case you get wet. Dry clothing always helps keep outdoor workers warm.
- Wear a hat or hood to help keep your whole body warmer. For those that have to wear a hard hat, helmet liners are effective at preserving neck and head heat.
- Choose appropriate gloves. Fabric and texture need to be suited to the job, but try to find gloves that allow you to use a liner. Safety gloves are available with Thinsulate lining, and there are cold weather work gloves that feature fleece on the top of the hand with a rubberized, water-resistant palm.
- Wear double-layer thermal socks and insulated boots. To avoid slipping on ice, wear winter boots with a strong tread. Spread sand or rock salt on any ice to help footwear grip.
- Wraparound eye protection can also help preserve body heat. They can also help prevent eyes from drying out due to cold, dry air and wind.
Other tips
UniFirst’s Soreff provided some additional outdoor winter work tips:
- Stay hydrated because you will still sweat when working outside, even in cold temperatures. Keep hydrated by drinking water or other warm drinks. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
- Take a break. During extremely cold or windy weather, take shelter indoors from time to time to warm up before continuing work.
- Use a barrier on any exposed skin (skin creams, moisturizers, etc.) to help avoid frostbite.
Safety meeting
In addition, businesses should consider holding a safety meeting focused on the dangers associated with working outside in the cold winter, says Soreff. Explain the signs of and treatment for hypothermia and frostbite. Instruct employees to get inside if they begin to experience symptoms or, if they see a co-worker showing symptoms, to bring them inside immediately.
Also, consider implementing a managed uniform rental program, like those offered by UniFirst, to handle garment inspections and maintenance, helping to ensure all workwear is consistently performing as intended, he adds. While working outdoors in wintery conditions isn't ideal, it can be done safely.
