Cold Stress And How To Prevent It

At this time of year in Pennsylvania, state workers commuting to and from the Capitol can be exposed to extreme winter temperatures. Cold temperatures and increased wind speed amplify the risk of cold stress to workers. Our January Spotlight will help you learn more about cold stress and how to prevent it from happening.

What is cold stress and how is it caused?

Cold stress occurs by driving down the skin temperature and eventually the internal body temperature. When the body is unable to warm itself, serious cold-related injuries can occur, along with permanent tissue damage or death may result. Near freezing temperatures are factors for cold stress, along with increased wind speed, which causes heat to leave the body rapidly (wind chill effect). Sweating also causes heat loss from the body.

How can cold stress be prevented?

• Wear proper clothing for cold, wet, and windy conditions
• Take frequent short breaks in warm dry areas to allow your body to warm up
• Consume warm beverages and avoid alcohol as it restricts blood flow
• Don’t overwork yourself while outside doing things such as shoveling snow, or even just playing outside in the snow; once you start sweating and you take a layer of clothing off and you put it back on later while still outside, your body will have a difficult time warming back up

Types of Cold Stress

Frostbite

Frostbite is the freezing of skin and tissues. Frostbite can cause permanent damage to the body, and can lead to amputation. The risk of frostbite is increased in people who have poor blood circulation and those who are not dressed properly for extreme cold temperatures.

Symptoms of frost bite

The symptoms of frostbite are reddened skin and gray/white patches on the fingers, toes, nose, or ears. Tingling, aching, loss of feeling, and blisters may occur in the affected areas.

First Aid

• Call 911 immediately
• Protect the frostbitten area by wrapping loosely in a dry cloth and protect it from contact
• DO NOT rub the area because rubbing causes damage to the skin and tissue
• Do not break blisters

Hypothermia

Hypothermia occurs when the normal body temp (98.6° F) drops to less than 95° F. Exposure to cold temps causes the body to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up the body’s stored energy. Hypothermia is caused by very cold temperatures, but it can also occur at cool temperatures (above 40° F) if you become chilled from rain, sweat, or cold water immersion.

Symptoms of Hypothermia

An important symptom of hypothermia is uncontrollable shivering. Although shivering indicates the body is losing heat, it also helps the body warm itself. Moderate to severe symptoms are loss of coordination, confusion, slurred speech, low heart rate and slow breathing. Too low of a body temperature affects the brain, making the person unable to think clearly or move well.

First Aid

• Call 911 immediately
• Move the person to a warm and dry area
• Remove wet clothing and replace with dry clothing
• Wrap the person from head to toe in blankets, do not cover the face
• Give warm sweetened drinks if they are alert to increase body temperature
• Place warm bottles or hot packs in armpits, sides of chest, and groin

Here are links to more information  

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/coldstress/

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/frostbite/basics/symptoms/CON-20034608

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothermia/basics/definition/con-20020453

The Monthly Security Spotlight is published by Senate Security through the approval of the Secretary of the Senate, Megan Martin. You may contact Senate Security at 787-6613 or email us at jferrante@os.pasen.gov if you have questions, concerns, or ideas that you may wish to see covered in future volumes.