Cold Weather Safety: Essential Tips for Protecting Workers

As winter grips much of the United States, cold weather safety is of utmost importance. Outdoor workers face risks from freezing temperatures, biting winds, and icy snowfall. Whether you’re on a construction site, working in utilities, or unloading cargo, cold weather hazards can lead to life-threatening health risks like hypothermia and frostbite.

Employers and workers alike must take proactive steps to ensure winter jobsite safety. Proper planning, the right safety gear for cold weather conditions, and smart work practices can prevent injuries and even save lives. This article offers extreme cold safety tips to help everyone stay safe when the temperatures drop.

How Cold Weather Impacts Outdoor Workers

Cold weather is potentially dangerous without the proper precautions. Unexpected cold snaps — like the Texas winter storm of 2021, which resulted in hundreds of fatalities — demonstrate the importance of being prepared for extreme temperatures. Even places with mild winters like the South can experience sudden and severe cold, making preparation essential no matter where you are.

When temperatures plummet, the body loses heat faster than it can produce. This situation can lead to severe cold stress conditions such as the following.

Hypothermia

This condition occurs when the body temperature drops to under 95°F. While hypothermia typically happens in extremely cold conditions, it can also occur even in mild cold — for example, if someone gets a chill from rain, sweat, or prolonged exposure to cold water. Symptoms include shivering, loss of coordination, slow breathing, confusion, and slurred speech.

Frostbite

Frostbite manifests as skin and tissue damage resulting from overexposure to extreme cold, especially around the toes, fingers, and ears. Without prompt medical treatment, there’s a risk of permanent damage or even amputation. Symptoms of frostbite include reddened skin that develops gray or white patches, aching, tingling, loss of feeling, firmness of the skin, and blisters.

Trench Foot

Trench foot occurs when the feet experience prolonged exposure to wet and cold. It’s called a “non-freezing” injury because the condition can show up even in temperatures as high as 60°F. Symptoms of trench foot include skin redness, pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, blisters, bleeding beneath the skin, leg cramps, and even gangrene.

Chilblains

Repeated exposure of the skin to temperatures just above freezing and as high as 60°F can lead to chilblains. This painful condition causes inflammation of small blood vessels, with symptoms ranging from redness and itching to blistering and ulceration.

Employer Responsibilities: Keeping Workers Safe in the Cold

Employers have a duty to protect their workers from cold weather hazards. Winter workplace safety starts with these steps:

• Provide proper winter gear: Standard gear on any winter jobsite should include insulated, waterproof clothing, gloves, and thermal footwear.
• Educate workers: Everyone should know how to recognize the signs of cold stress conditions.
• Monitor conditions: Supervisors should regularly check in with workers to make sure everyone is following cold weather safety protocols.

For more help with cold weather safety plans, see guidelines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Preparing for Cold Weather on the Jobsite

The best way to protect workers in cold temperatures is to plan for the worst. Even if you live in a warmer climate, it’s important to take every precaution.

Plan Ahead

• Check weather forecasts, and adjust schedules if there’s an imminent threat.
• Practice snowstorm preparation for worksites by developing emergency plans in case of freezing conditions.
• Identify the coldest parts of the day, and schedule work accordingly.

Prepare the Jobsite

• Clear walkways and work areas of snow and ice.
• Apply a de-icer in slick areas to prevent slips and falls.
• Set up warming zones with gas or electric heaters while monitoring for carbon monoxide risks.

Train Workers To Stay Vigilant

• Teach employees to recognize and promptly address cold stress symptoms.
• Encourage frequent check-ins among team members.
• Make sure everyone knows how to respond in an emergency.

Cold Weather Safety Tips for Outdoor Workers

Staying warm and safe on jobsites takes more than just bundling up. Here are some practical tips for outdoor workers:

• Dress in layers: Begin with a moisture-wicking base layer, add insulation, and top it off with a waterproof shell.
• Protect extremities: Wear insulated gloves, warm socks that wick away wetness, and a hat to reduce heat loss.
• Take breaks: Warm up in designated shelters at regular intervals, avoiding overexposure to the cold.
• Stay hydrated and well-fed: Drink warm liquids and eat calorie-rich foods to maintain body temperature.
• Use the buddy system: Work in pairs to spot signs of hypothermia or frostbite in coworkers.
• Avoid rushing: Don’t take shortcuts. Working faster to stay warm can lead to mistakes and injuries.

Real-World Examples: How Companies Are Prioritizing Cold Weather Safety

As Construction Dive reports, companies like Turner Construction and Clayco are ready for winter at their jobsites. Key strategies include using warming zones with gas or electric heaters while planning for other hazards like carbon monoxide.

While employees should take on some of the responsibility of dressing for the cold, that doesn’t mean employers are off the hook. Providing high-quality, insulated gear and advising workers on the use of cold weather gear should be par for the course. Additionally, it may be necessary to avoid peak cold hours or shut down a jobsite in cases of extreme cold. 

Stay Safe in the Winter

Employers and workers must remain vigilant amid harsh winter conditions to avoid accidents and health risks. Employers are responsible for creating cold weather safety plans and checking that workers have appropriate protective gear. Likewise, workers should follow best practices, look out for their teammates, and take cold stress seriously.

For expert guidance on winter workplace safety, rely on Safety Plus. Our specialists can help develop a customized cold weather safety plan to keep your team protected in any weather.

Ready to develop a comprehensive winter safety plan? Contact Safety Plus today.