Working in cold weather comes with a different set of hazards. Employees need adequate preparation to work in such conditions, particularly in remote and outdoor environments under extreme weather. Let’s explore 10 essential safety gear that provides protection against unforgiving cold conditions.
1. Cold Weather First Aid Kit
You need a stocked cold weather first aid kit to work in unforgiving climates. The ideal first aid kit for cold weather should include items to curb:
- Hypothermia – blankets, warm drinks (if necessary), and insulation gear for injured areas,
- Cuts, scrapes, and injuries – standard first aid supplies with all necessary tools to clean, disinfect, and manage various injuries,
- Frostbite – warm compresses and sterilized dressings for injured areas. Avoid rubbing on frostbitten areas while administering first aid to prevent complications.
2. Communication Devices
Functional communication gear serves a vital role for employees in cold weather, particularly for those working in remote areas or in an emergency. Workers should get:
- two-way radios or cell phones for communication with supervisors and other workers,
- emergency signalling devices like whistles or flares in case of emergencies.
Communication devices that require battery power should have a new set of cells or full charge before use in cold environments. These devices should also be in weatherproof casings to protect from the elements.
3. Ice Grippers/Traction Devices
Ice grippers attach to footwear for better traction on snow and ice. These devices aim to reduce risks of slips and falls while working in freezing weather. Traction devices are vital for workers who need to navigate icy surfaces to perform their duties. You should seek traction devices that offer secure attachment to footwear while featuring a solid build.
Traction devices that support better grip potential are also essential to ensure safe walking through thick icy surfaces.
4. Insulated Clothing
Padded clothing with proper insulation provides ample defence against cold conditions. Most insulated clothing come in three layers – base, middle, and outer layers – to fight off harmful cold. The outer shell of such clothing usually provides proofing against wetness or wind.
5. Insulated Footwear
Protecting your feet from the cold is easier with insulated boots that are:
- waterproof and insulated
- slip-resistant soles for traction on ice and snow
- properly fitted to allow for adequate circulation
Insulated socks made of wool or synthetic materials should be worn to provide additional warmth and wick away moisture.
6. Insulated Gloves
The hands are quite vulnerable to cold, especially during freezing conditions. Insulated gloves can provide better protection against frostbite for your fingers and palms. You can also choose mittens for increased warmth between fingers as it keeps them together to generate more heat.
7. Cold Stress Monitoring Devices
Devices to monitor wind temperature and chill are essential to work in cold environments. These devices help workers assess the risk of cold stress and may offer information to set work breaks or take necessary precautions while on duty.
8. Portable Heaters
Portable heaters are handy to provide supplemental warmth in cold conditions and are particularly effective in enclosed spaces. Your choice heaters should have approval for indoor or outdoor use. Also, ensure to keep heaters from flammable material and only use in well-ventilated spaces to prevent carbon buildup.
9. Hand and Foot Warmers
Single-use packs of hand and foot warmers can provide relief from cold weather, especially while working in freezing conditions or during breaks. These warmers are non-toxic solutions designed to generate heat upon exposure to air. Make sure to follow manufacturer’s instructions while using such solutions to avoid adverse conditions.
10. Head and Face Protection
The head emits a lot of body heat your body needs during cold weather. Using a hood or head-warmer reduces the amount of heat loss through your head. Face protection like a cloth mask also provides better heat retention around your neck and face area.
What Do Safety Tools Prevent While Working in Cold Weather?
Safety tools are necessary to work in cold weather, as exposure to such conditions may cause serious health issues like:
- Frostbite, which occurs after freezing of body tissues. The condition can stifle worker’s ability to move while also freezing out the nose, ears, toes, and fingers. Affected areas could appear numb and pale. Extreme cases of frostbite may also lead to amputation of dead tissue.
- Hypothermia occurs when the body can not produce equal or more heat than it loses. It leads to a seriously-low body temperature and can cause several bad side effects. Some symptoms of this condition include drowsiness, shivering, and slurred speech.
- Chilblains are bumps that appear red or purple on the skin after prolonged exposure to cold air. The condition can develop in cold and non-freezing temperatures and may affect workers in outdoor environments.
- Trench Foot is a condition caused by exposure to extreme cold or wet weather for too long. The issue may lead to swelling, numbness, and pain in affected areas. It affects the feet and could lead to extreme discomfort for long periods.
Is a Safety Program for Cold Weather Operations Necessary?
A cold weather safety program is essential to guarantee better protections for employees who work in adverse conditions. A cold weather safety program should include:
- Training – Employees should receive detailed information about the risks of exposure to cold weather and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE),
- Schedules for work and rest – A schedule for work and rest should be in place that introduces employees to warm areas during breaks
- Emergency response procedures – Information about emergency procedures to deal with incidents during cold weather should be a part of the special safety program,
- Proper nutrition and hydration – Employers should encourage workers to hydrate frequently and consume foods that boost body heat during cold weather,
- Buddy system – Businesses can adopt the ‘buddy system’ by pairing employees in small groups to check up on each other at work. The system prevents undetected cold stress and ensures all employees are fit to work in cold conditions
Conclusion
Working in cold environments presents unique challenges to employees. However, you can overcome these challenges with a thorough safety program and proper training. Employers can take advantage of safety equipment to reduce risks of injuries and illnesses caused by cold weather.
Giving priority to worker safety in cold environments is a moral and legal requirement from all employers of labour. Providing workers with these must-have safety tools ensure better protections against weather hazards. It becomes easier to ensure a safe and productive working environment in unforgiving weather with these tools.
