Working under extremely cold conditions poses risks for workers and there are various factors that affect the degree of injury caused by cold temperatures. Using the TLV (Threshold Limit Value) of cold stress is helpful in protecting workers from extreme cold. TLV recommends maintaining the core body temperature of a worker above 96.8 degrees. Workers with hypertension, diabetes or cardiovascular disease are highly vulnerable to cold injuries.

Cold injuries consist primarily of two types – freezing and non-freezing. Freezing injuries include frostbite and frostnip. Common non-freezing injuries are hypothermia, pernio, chilblains and trench foot.

1. Fighting hypothermia

Hypothermia is a condition in which the body is unable to produce sufficient heat to replace the heat lost in the environment. Symptoms usually appear when the body temperature drops below 95 degrees. Initially the affected worker shivers and stomps his feet as a means of generating heat. As these actions fail to generate enough heat, the worker gradually gets dazed and can’t complete any motor functions. Speech gets slurred and behavior becomes irrational.

Only those workers that have mild hypothermia and are in a state of consciousness may be treated in the workplace. For serious cases, the help of a qualified health professional is recommended. Start by moving the affected worker to a warm place. Remove all wet clothing, wrap the person in a blanket and provide warmth near a radiant heat source like a fireplace. Give him warm, decaffeinated, non-alcoholic sweet drinks in order to replace the lost body fluids. Individuals with mild hypothermia should try to remain active by moving arms and legs in order to generate muscle heat. Placing hot packs and warm bottles on the neck, groin and armpits is also helpful. However, workers affected by hypothermia should not be placed in a hot water bath or rubbed with hot water. Such actions can cause cardiac arrest.

2. Minor injuries

A chilblain can affect the feet and hands of workers working in extreme cold, and it may also affect the nose and earlobes. These are small, painful, itchy red swellings on the skin. Symptoms are usually cleared within 10-14 days.

Frostbite can be deep or superficial. While bone and muscle are affected by deep frostbite, superficial frostbite affects only skin tissue – nose, ears, fingers and toes being the most vulnerable. The affected areas become cold, white and hard. Frostbitten tissue should be gently warmed for 25-30 minutes. After normal feeling returns, the affected areas should be wrapped in dry cloth to retain the warmth.

3. Gearing up

The working environment becomes more hazardous under extremely cold conditions. Snow and ice affects normal visibility. Wearing special goggles may be helpful in such cases. Clothing should be layered when working in such extreme conditions; an inner layer of polypropylene, a middle layer of wool and an outer layer should repel wind and water.

Acclimatization of workers, especially the new ones, scheduling work during warm hours as much as possible, and rotating shifts may help in combating conditions of extreme cold. It is necessary to provide training for all levels of workers subjected to extremely cold conditions. Training should include common first-aid techniques required under such conditions, safe working practices, symptoms of cold injury and apparel required for maximum protection against the cold.

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