Working in Cold Temperatures

There are many hazards when working in cold temperatures for those who work outdoors and many others whose primary roles don’t involve the outdoors, like someone working in a cold office. Employers need to take into consideration the hazards that come with winter weather. Below you will find winter safety tips for all members of the workplace.

Risks from working in cold temperatures

Cold related illnesses

In a cold environment, most of the body’s energy is used to keep the internal core temperature warm, shifting blood flow from the outer skin and extremities to the core. This shift allows the exposed skin and the extremities to cool rapidly and increases the risk of cold stress, frostbite, hypothermia and trench foot or immersion foot.

Some of the risk factors include:

Wetness/dampness	Preexisting health conditions, such as hypertension, hypothyroidism and diabetes
Dressing improperly	Poor physical conditioning
Exhaustion

Be sure to watch for signs and symptoms, including:

Fatigue	Nausea
Dizziness	Irritability
Weakness, stumbling and fumbling	Euphoria
Severe shivering (Note: when someone who has been shivering stops, this can be seen as an extreme sign of hypothermia)	Pain in extremities, including hands, feet and ears
Skin turning numb and white	Mumbling and grumbling

Slips, trips and falls

Slips, trips and falls are common workplace occurrences that can result in serious injuries to workplace parties, especially during the colder months.

PSHSA’s slips, trips and falls (STF) resources are here to support employers in preventing STFs. Our tools include checklists, evaluation tools, inspections, policies and procedures templates, ladder safety information and more. Employers are encouraged to use the resources to hold a 15-minute safety talk with employees.

Winter driving

Driving safely for the conditions, including ice, snow and slush, should be on the top of your mind every time you get behind the wheel. Here are some tips for safe winter driving:

Slow down	Use winter tires
Top-up windshield washer fluid	Pack an emergency kit in your car
Top-up the gas tank or ensure your electric vehicle is sufficiently charged	If visibility becomes poor, find a place to safely pull off the road as soon as possible.
Clear all snow from the hood, roof, windows and lights, and clear all windows of fog or ice before beginning to drive.	While your car may be warm from the heater, always have winter gear available to keep you warm if your heater stops working, you need to exit the vehicle, or you end up in an accident

It’s also important to note that the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) applies to workers in vehicles if employees are operating them over the course of their employment. A driving safety program will help workers become better drivers – on and off the job. PSHSA’s driving safety for workers fact sheet is available to help promote awareness, policies and practices for safe driving among healthcare employers, supervisors and workers, along with relevant resources.

Preventing winter related incidents

All members of the workplace should be aware of weather alerts in your local area including daily temperatures and storm surges so you can be ready to face the day ahead and employers are advised to implement a cold stress prevention program to maintain a healthy work environment in colder weather. This program includes the training of workers on cold-related hazards, how to identify early signs and symptoms of cold stress, prevention of cold-related injuries and illnesses, and how to act on wind chill warnings or cold alert notices issued by Environment Canada.

An effective cold stress prevention program and related policies should consider the following:

An acceptable wind chill index for outdoor working conditions. A wind chill calculator can be used to determine this.	How workers’ symptoms will be monitored, and incidents of cold-related illnesses will be investigated
First aid and emergency responses	How often workers will get a break from the cold
Where workers experiencing early signs of cold stress can go to warm up	Any required personal protective equipment or appropriate clothing (Winter boots, jackets, hats, gloves, scarves, et.), and if the are provided
If and when portable heaters or wind guard structures are required on the job	Safe driving on ice covered roads
If workers are working alone. Employers may want to activate a buddy system to have workers keep an eye on each other for early signs of cold stress or in case workers need breaks or medical attention	If workers should bring water or warm liquids to work in order to keep hydrated, or if they are provided

Dressing for the cold

Dressing appropriately is of great importance for working outdoors in cold temperatures. Depending on the type of fabric and insulation, the items may work differently in different temperatures. For example, cotton will not keep you warm when the garment becomes wet, while wool, silk and synthetic materials won’t change their protection level. The best option to keep warm is to layer and avoid tight-fitting clothing.

An example of appropriate clothing and effective layering would be:

An inner layer of wool, silk or synthetic to keep moisture away from the body	A middle layer of wool or synthetic to provide insulation, even when wet
An outer wind and rain protection layer that allows some ventilation to prevent overheating	Hats reduce the amount of body heat that escapes from your head
A knit mask or scarf to cover the face and mouth	Insulated and waterproof boots
Insulated gloves to protect the hands (water resistant if necessary)

It is also important to note that workers have the right to refuse work. In instances where the worker is feeling uncomfortable or unsafe continuing to work in their current working environment, employers should have a policy in place to respond and ensure the safety of the worker and others.

Winter incidents can happen to anyone, so it is important to take the necessary precautions when working outdoors this winter. Stay warm and safe out there!

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Working in a Winter Wonderland: Staying Safe at Work in Cold Temperatures