Cold Weather Work

PPT-SM-CWW 2016

Working in cold weather can expose workers to environmental cold injuries

Hundreds of workers report cases involving days away from work caused by

exposure to environmental cold

each year

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PPT-SM-CWW 2016

Environmental cold can affect any worker, especially those who work outdoors and are involved in support activities for oil and gas operations

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PPT-SM-CWW 2016

Environmental cold puts workers at risk of cold stress and slips, trips, and falls caused by icy and snow-covered surfaces

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PPT-SM-CWW 2016

Cold stress happens when your body cannot regulate its temperature

First your skin temperature drops, then your core body temperature

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PPT-SM-CWW 2016

There are several different types of cold stress, including

• Hypothermia• Frostbite• Trench foot

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PPT-SM-CWW 2016

Hypothermia happens when your body temperature drops to less than 90°F

Symptoms include uncontrolled shivering, loss of coordination

and slurred speech, and slow breathing and heart

rate

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PPT-SM-CWW 2016

Frostbite happens when your skin and tissues freeze

Symptoms include reddened skin with gray or white patches on

the fingers, toes, nose, or ear lobes

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PPT-SM-CWW 2016

Trench foot affects your feet when they are exposed to wet and cold conditions for a long period of time

Symptoms include reddened skin and tingling, pain, and

swelling

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PPT-SM-CWW 2016

Certain factors put you at higher risk of cold stress, such as

• High wind speeds• Working in wet or damp environments

• Dressing improperly for the weather

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PPT-SM-CWW 2016

Health problems like hypertension, hypothyroidism, and diabetes can also put you at higher risk

Exhaustion and poor physical fitness may also increase your risk

of cold stress

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PPT-SM-CWW 2016

Companies must help prevent cold stress by training workers on

• How to recognize the environmental and workplace conditions that can lead to cold stress

• The symptoms of cold stress, how to prevent it, and what to do to help affected workers

• How to select proper clothing for cold, wet, and windy

conditions

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PPT-SM-CWW 2016

Workers can prevent cold stress by monitoring themselves and other workers for cold stress symptoms

• Uncontrolled shivering

• Loss of coordination, slurred speech, and confusion

• Slow breathing and heart rate

• Reddened skin and blisters

• Gray or white patches in the extremities

• Tingling, pain, swelling, or numbness

• Leg cramps

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PPT-SM-CWW 2016

Wear the right clothes for cold weather work

• At least three layers of loose fitting clothing

• An insulated coat or jacket

• A knit mask to cover your face and mouth

• A hat that covers your ears

• Insulated gloves

• Insulated, waterproof boots

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PPT-SM-CWW 2016

To prevent slips, trips, and falls, clear snow and ice from walking surfaces

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PPT-SM-CWW 2016

When walking on snow or ice, wear insulated and water resistant boots or rubber over-shoes with good rubber treads

Take short steps and walk at a slower pace

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PPT-SM-CWW 2016

When working at elevated heights during cold weather

• Plan ahead for safe snow removal

• Wear fall protection

• Make sure ladders are used safely

• Clear snow and ice from surfaces

• Use extreme caution when working near power lines

• Take steps to prevent harmful exposure to cold temperatures and overexertion

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PPT-SM-CWW 2016

Remember, prepare for cold weather work

• Be alert for symptoms of cold stress

• Dress appropriately and stay dry

• Use engineering controls, safe work practices, and PPE

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Copyright © 2016 by PEC/Premier Safety Operations, LLC

Safe

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: Cold

Wea

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kSign and date this quiz sheet. Circle the letter representing the correct answer to each quiz question below.

Name:©

201

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QUIZ-SM-Cold Weather WorkJaN 2016

Date:

1. Working in __________ can expose workers to environmental cold injuries.

A. The darkB. FogC. Hot weatherD. Cold weather

2. ___________ puts workers at risk of cold stress and slips, trips, and falls caused by icy and snow-covered surfaces.

A. WeldingB. Electrical workC. Environmental coldD. Heat stress

3. ___________ happens when your body cannot regulate its temperature.

A. Cold stressB. Electric shockC. A heat crampD. Sunburn

4. There are several different types of cold stress, including hypothermia, ___________, and trench foot.

A. SunburnB. FrostbiteC. Electric shockD. Heat stress

5. ___________ happens when your body temperature drops to less than 90°F.

A. Trench footB. FrostbiteC. HypothermiaD. Heat stress

6. ____________ affects your feet when they are exposed to wet and cold conditions for a long period of time.

A. Trench footB. FrostbiteC. HypothermiaD. Heat stress

7. Certain factors put you at higher risk of cold stress, including ____________.

A. Working in dry environments

B. Dressing properly for the weather

C. Low wind speedsD. High wind speeds

8. Workers can ____________ cold stress by monitoring themselves and other workers for cold stress symptoms.

A. PreventB. PredictC. CauseD. Ignore

9. When working on snow or ice, wear ____________ and water resistant boots or rubber over-shoes with good rubber treads.

A. HikingB. Steel-toeC. InsulatedD. Leather

10. When working at elevated heights during cold weather, wear ____________ protection.

A. HearingB. FallC. EyeD. Foot

Cold

Weat

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ork

Safety Meeting answer keys: Cold Weather Work Instructors: The following key shows the answers for the Cold Weather Work safety meeting quiz.

© 2016 PEC

Safety, Inc.

keY-SM-Cold Weather WorkJaN 2016

1. D

2. C

3. A

4. B

5. C

6. A

7. D

8. A

9. C

10. B

This is to certify that

has successfully completed thePEC Safety Meeting

Cold Weather Work

Instructor Date Awarded

STUDENT ROSTER

PRINT STUDENT NAME (CLEARLY) STUDENT SIGNATURE LAST 4 SSN or DOB1.

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INSTRUCTOR NAME SAFETY MEETING DATE

SAFETY MEETING NAME COMPANY NAME

Student Instructions: Print and sign your name. Also, provide your date of birth or the last four digits of your social security number.

©2015 PEC Safety, Inc. All rights reserved.