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WORLD FENCE NEWS • JANUARY 2014 • Protecting against cold stress COURTESY CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH With winter upon us, the following information from the CDC's National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety seems very timely. Even though it is not intended as medical advice, you can incorporate this information into your next company tool box talk. • • • Workers who are exposed to extreme cold or work in cold environments may be at risk of cold stress. Extreme cold weather is a dangerous situation that can bring on health emergencies in susceptible people, such as outdoor workers and those who work in an area that is poorly insulated or without heat. What constitutes cold stress and its effects can vary across different areas of the country. In regions relatively unaccustomed to winter weather, near freezing temperatures are considered factors for "cold stress." Whenever temperatures drop decidedly below normal and as wind speed increases, heat can more rapidly leave your body. These weather-related conditions may lead to serious health problems. Types of cold stress Hypothermia – When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body's stored energy. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. A body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not know it is happening and will not be able to do anything about it. Symptoms – Symptoms of hypothermia can vary depending on how long you have been exposed to the cold temperatures. Early symptoms can include shivering, fatigue, loss of coordination and confusion and disorientation. Late symptoms may include no shivering, blue skin, dilated pupils, slowed pulse and breathing and loss of consciousness. First aid – Take these steps to treat a worker with hypothermia: • Alert the supervisor and request medical assistance. • Move the victim into a warm room or shelter. • Remove their wet clothing. • Warm the center of the body first – chest, neck, head, and groin – using an electric blanket, if available; or use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets. • Warm beverages may help increase the body temperature, but do not give alcoholic beverages. Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person. • After their body temperature has increased, keep the victim dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck. • If victim has no pulse, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Frostbite – Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in the affected areas. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes. Frostbite can permanently damage body tissues, and severe cases can lead to amputation. In extremely cold temperatures, the risk of frostbite is increased in workers with reduced blood circulation and among workers who are not dressed properly. Symptoms – Symptoms of frostbite include: • Reduced blood flow to hands and feet (fingers or toes can freeze). • Numbness. • Tingling or stinging. • Aching • Bluish or pale, waxy skin. First aid – Workers suffering from frostbite should: • Get into a warm room as soon as possible. • Unless absolutely necessary, do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes, as this increases the damage. • Immerse the affected area in warm (not hot) water. The temperature should be comfortable to the touch for unaffected parts of the body. • Warm affected area using body heat; i.e., the heat of an armpit can be used to warm frostbitten fingers. • Do not rub or massage the frostbitten area, as this may cause damage. • Do not use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace, or radiator for warming. Affected areas are numb and can be easily burned. Trench foot – Trench foot, also known as immersion foot, is an injury of the feet resulting from prolonged exposure to wet and cold conditions. Trench foot can occur at temperatures as high as 60 degrees F if the feet are constantly wet. Injury occurs because wet feet lose heat 25 times faster than dry feet. Therefore, to prevent heat loss, the body constricts blood vessels to shut down circulation in the feet. continued on next page 2x THE RANGE. 1,000 Remote Capacity for Commercial and Parking Applications. The simple-to-program STAR receiver with Security+ 2.0™ technology delivers twice the range of traditional radio controls. That means less wait time at the gate and more satisfied customers. Contact your LiftMaster Sales Representative at 800-282-6225. Be Sure To Visit Us At STAR1000 Receiver LiftMaster.com/accessradio1 BOOTH NO. 511! 43