December 21, 2020 Safety Tip of the Week delivered to your inbox each Monday by GrainnetSafety.com
PPE For Cold and Windy Weather
Hand protection for workers during chilly and windy environments should not be a second thought, as cold stress can lead to several hazardous conditions.
Keeping warm is a basic need that all of us share. For those who work in cold temperatures, the need to keep your hands warm and protected is a major concern. If ignored, this concern can turn into serious health risks like frostbite and hypothermia.
OSHA says, “Outdoor workers exposed to cold and windy conditions are at risk of cold stress; both air temperature and wind speed affect how cold they feel. As wind speed increases, it causes the cold air temperature to feel even colder, increasing the risk of cold stress to exposed workers.”
Risk factors for cold stress include:
Wetness/dampness, dressing improperly, and exhaustion
Predisposing health conditions such as hypertension, hypothyroidism, and diabetes
Poor physical conditioning
Wind chill
It’s easy to see how below freezing conditions and inadequate PPE can cause cold stress, but cold stress can also occur at temperatures in the 50s when coupled with rain and/or wind. It is very important to be aware of wind chill in any cold prevention program.
If safety pros don’t factor in wind chill, your cold stress strategy will miss the mark and workers’ health could be seriously compromised.
