Weather

Many jobs require that you work outside. Since work often continues during periods of hot, cold, and wet weather, you need to understand the hazards associated with weather and be properly prepared.

Cold weather

When working outdoors during winter, workers need to protect themselves against loss of body heat. When your body temperature drops even a few degrees below normal, you can begin to shiver uncontrollably and become weak, drowsy, disoriented, unconscious, or even fatally ill.  Hypothermia is the condition in which your body loses heat at a rate greater than you are able to produce it.

Cold temperatures, wind, poorly-insulated or wet clothing, immersion in water, and fatigue are some of the main factors that contribute to hypothermia.

The following guidelines can help you keep your body warm and avoid hypothermia, frostbite, and overexposure to the cold:

• Properly insulated headgear, footwear, and gloves are important. Heat loss is greatest from the head. Dress in layers.
• Wind causes cooling or “wind chill.” The stronger the wind at a given temperature, the cooler the wind chill will be.
• Water chills your body far more rapidly than air or wind. When working outdoors, always have proper waterproof clothing and extra dry clothes available.
• Even on a very cold day, strenuous activities can cause you to perspire. When you slow down to a normal pace, this moisture will add to the chilling effect.
• Cold-water immersion speeds up the process of cooling down the body. When you’re in the water, heat is conducted away from the body 25 times faster than in cold air. Severe hypothermia can develop rapidly if you are immersed in cold water without the protection of survival gear.

Hypothermia danger signs

The effects of hypothermia can be gradual and often go unnoticed until it’s too late. Early intervention is very important. Work with a buddy. Always stay on the lookout for early signs of hypothermia in both yourself and your buddy.

Classic signs of hypothermia are known as the “umbles”: a worker mumbles, fumbles, and stumbles. Other additional signs of hypothermia  are:

• a drop in body temperature
• fatigue or drowsiness
• uncontrollable shivering

Heat stress

Heat stress occurs when abnormally hot air, humidity, or extremely heavy exertion prevents your body from cooling itself fast enough.

Avoid heat stress through the following preventive measures:

• Drink plenty of water, and avoid very cold water.
• Avoid alcoholic or caffeinated drinks; coffee and tea are diuretics.
• Do not overexert yourself.
• Wear lightweight, light-coloured clothing of natural material.
• Keep your head covered and face shaded.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing, so long as it doesn’t create a hazard.
• Take frequent short breaks.
• Rest in the shade whenever possible.

Heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustion usually occurs when people exercise heavily or work in warm, humid places where bodily fluids are lost through heavy sweating. When humidity is high, your sweat does not evaporate fast enough to cool your body.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion may include:

• fatigue
• irritability
• headache
• faintness
• weak, rapid pulse
• shallow breathing
• cold, clammy skin
• profuse perspiration

Treatment for heat exhaustion is as follows:

• Ask the person to lie down in a cool, shaded area or air-conditioned room.
• Elevate the feet. Massage the legs toward the heart. Give cold salt water (½ teaspoon to ½ a glass of water) or a cool sweetened drink every 15 minutes until the victim recovers. Do not let the victim sit up, even after feeling recovered.

Heat stroke

Heat exhaustion is often misinterpreted as heat stroke. Symptoms of heat stroke may include:

• extremely high body temperature (106°F or higher)
• hot, red, dry skin
• absence of sweating
• rapid pulse
• convulsions
• unconsciousness

Treatment for heat stroke is as follows:

• Remove the victim from the heat.
• Have the victim lie down.
• Move all nearby objects, as heat stroke may cause convulsions or seizures.
• Lower the victim’s body temperature quickly. This can be done by fanning, spraying with a cool mist, wrapping the victim in cold, wet sheets, or wiping with a wet cloth, until the body temperature is reduced. Do not give stimulating beverages such as coffee, tea, or soda. If available a partially filled tub of cool water works best.