Cold

Health effects

Frostbite: As the body tries to prevent heat loss, less blood reaches the surface. Hands and feet become numb and the skin freezes. Severe frostbite may require amputating the affected parts.

WARNING!!! Do not rub frost-bitten areas. Warm the area by soaking or running under cool or lukewarm water.
Hypothermia: This is a condition that results from being in cold weather or submerged in cold water. The body can no longer create heat, causing dizziness, fatigue, and can lead to unconsciousness and death.
Trench foot: Long periods of exposure to wet and cold conditions can cause severe nerve and muscle damage in the feet.
Eye injuries: Workers can become snowblind and the cold can cause the cornea to freeze.

The following steps can protect workers from the cold.

Give workers frequent rest periods in a warm area.
Provide clothing designed to keep cold and wind out and allow heat and perspiration to escape. The body loses heat quickly when clothes are wet.
Workers should wear layers of vented clothing, and insulated gloves and footwear.
Where possible, build barriers around the worksite to block the wind.
Supply workers with warm beverages that do not contain caffeine or alcohol.
Keep vehicles in good running order. Workers can be exposed to extreme cold for long periods if they get stranded in vehicles that break down.