Worker Safety in Cold Weather

Working outside in cold weather all day can take it out of a person—it can even be fatal. Here are a few things to keep in mind when working outside in cold weather:

  • Check out OSHA's cold stress guidelines.

  • Learn to recognize the signs of cold stress.

  • Make sure workers are dressed properly—OSHA recommends three layers: a windbreak layer, an insulation layer, and a next-to-the-skin layer.

    Site coldman Naval Safety Center
    Naval Safety Center

  • Make sure workers are eating and drinking warm, high calorie things that will help them stave off the cold—alcohol and coffee are not among those things.

  • Learn to recognize frostbite and know what to do. White waxy skin probably indicates frostbite and requires getting the affected area gently warmed (NOT rubbed) as soon as possible.

  • Provide workers with a copy of the Cold Stress Card, which is available in either English or Spanish.

    Site cold-stress-card www.osha.gov

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