January Safety Topic: Cold Weather Safety

The cold weather season is here and most areas have already begun to experience frigid temperatures. While perhaps less common than heat stress, cold stress can cause significant occupational injury to workers or be a catalyst for other occupational injuries or illnesses. The primary factors in evaluating a cold stress environment are air temperature and movement. Humidity can also be a factor. The most common way to evaluate cold conditions is through the national wind chill index. The wind chill index combines air temperatures and wind speed to determine how cold it would feel to a person outside. Be aware that exposure to cold temperatures and high winds can lead to cold stress related injuries in a relatively short period of time and could result in several adverse health effects. Seek immediate medical attention if you or a co-worker experience any symptoms related to a cold stress injury or illness. The two most common cold related stressors are Hypothermia and Frostbite and each are briefly discussed below.

1.      Hypothermia occurs when the body dissipates more heat than it absorbs and the normal body temperature (98.6°F) drops to less than 95°F. Symptoms include shivering, confusion, and loss of muscular control such as walking. If you or a co-worker believe someone is experiencing hypothermia, seek medical assistance as soon as possible. Move the person indoors and remove any wet clothing. Lay the person down and avoid rough handling especially if the person is unconscious. Warm the person gradually and slowly using the available sources of heat.

2.     

 is the localized freezing of the skin and underlying tissue (fat, muscle, bone). Skin will appear white and waxy, and is hard to touch. The area will also be numb or tingling with no sensation. Amputation may be required of the affected area in severe cases. Do not rub or message the area. Do not warm the area until you can ensure it will stay warm. If the area gets frozen again, more tissue damage will occur. Warm the area gradually with body heat or warm water (100°F to 105°F) to thaw the frozen tissue. Avoid direct heat, which can burn the skin.

It is extremely important to dress properly during cold weather to prevent cold stress. Dress in layers to stay warm; but remember, your outer garment must consist of Flame Resistant Clothing (FRC). This may require taking an inventory of present clothing and bringing out your winter gear from home. When it is very cold or when the chill is significant, cover as much exposed skin as possible. The body’s extremities such as ears, nose, fingers, and toes lose heat the fattest. We often see a warming trend in the South during the winter season, but that does not mean the cold weather is over so prepare accordingly.

Some platforms, work areas, or even homes may utilize electric space heaters to augment its heating system. If these devices are used, be especially vigilant to maintain a safe perimeter, a minimum of three feet, around the heater. Make sure any combustibles are properly stored, remove clothing, bedding, magazines, so that nothing contacts the heater and becomes a fire hazard. Turn off space heater upon leaving the area.

If operations require your attention, always utilize the buddy system especially when working nights or lower decks. Do not take any unnecessary risk to prolong exposure. Winter weather often bring strong winds and elevated sea states. After winter storms, make sure to perform a thorough inspection of boat landings and plus 10 areas to ensure they are intact including Emergency Shut Down (ESD) stations and handrails. If any are damaged or missing, report it to the Person-in-Charge (PIC) immediately and ensure proper notifications are made to the applicable governmental agencies. Make an inventory of life saving equipment and replace anything swept away. Monitor the plus areas for any open holes, which may have resulted from high seas. Hard barricade these areas with suitable material such as cables, chains, barricades, or guardrails to prevent workers from falling overboard. Flagging tape or rope is not considered suitable material as they lack the ability to prevent unintended access. Use added caution when loading and unloading vessels or during personnel basket transfers. Do NOT hesitate to utilize STOP WORK AUTHORITY if you feel unsafe or unsafe for someone else to transfer during rough conditions.

With proper anticipation and evaluation of the environment and utilizing proper safe work practices, employees can stay warm and continue to function in a safe, compliant, and productive manner.