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44 • JANUARY 2014 • WORLD FENCE NEWS Protecting against cold stress continued from previous page We've Gained Weight .... but it's ALL MUSCLE! Rhino Tool Company Proudly Introduces GPD-40 Gas Powered Driver Engineered for MORE power and equipped with a 2 1/2 -inch chuck to drive larger posts! 866-707-1808 info@rhinotool.com www.rhinotool.com Visit us at Booth #509 Visit the World Fence News Crew at FENCETECH 2014, Booth 708! Get your special WFN name tag lanyard! March 6–8, 2014 Mandalay Bay Resort and Convention Center, Las Vegas SECURE GATE SYSTEMS, INC. Skin tissue begins to die because of lack of oxygen and nutrients and due to the buildup of toxic products. Symptoms – Symptoms of trench foot include: • Reddening of the skin. • Numbness. • Leg cramps. • Swelling. • Tingling pain. • Blisters or ulcers. • Bleeding under the skin. • Gangrene (the foot may turn dark purple, blue, or gray). First aid – Workers suffering from trench foot should: • Remove shoes/boots and wet socks. • Dry their feet. • Avoid walking on feet, as this may cause tissue damage. Chilblains – Chilblains are caused by the repeated exposure of skin to temperatures just above freezing to as high as 60 degrees F. The cold exposure causes damage to the capillary beds (groups of small blood vessels) in the skin. This damage is permanent and the redness and itching will return with additional exposure. The redness and itching typically occurs on cheeks, ears, fingers, and toes. Symptoms – Symptoms of chilblains include: • Redness. • Itching. • Possible blistering. • Inflammation. • Possible ulceration in severe Original Manufacturer of Preassembled High Security Emergency Egress Gates Opens Every Time with Patented Reliability Toll Free 866-725-6995 • www.securegatesystems.net cases. First aid – Workers suffering from chilblains should: • Avoid scratching. • Slowly warm the skin. • Use corticosteroid creams to relieve itching and swelling. • Keep blisters and ulcers clean and covered. Recommendations for employers Employers should take steps to protect workers from cold stress: • Schedule maintenance and repair jobs in cold areas for warmer months. • Schedule cold jobs for the warmer part of the day. • Reduce the physical demands of workers. • Use relief workers or assign extra workers for long, demanding jobs. • Provide warm liquids to workers. • Provide warm areas for use during break periods. • Monitor workers who are at risk of cold stress. Provide cold stress training that includes information about: • Worker risk. • Prevention. • Symptoms. • The importance of monitoring yourself and coworkers for symptoms. • Treatment. • Personal protective equipment. Recommendations for workers Workers should avoid exposure to extremely cold temperatures when possible. When cold environments or temperatures cannot be avoided, follow these recommendations to protect from cold stress: • Wear appropriate clothing. • Wear several layers of loose clothing. Layering provides better insulation. • Tight clothing reduces blood circulation. Warm blood needs to be circulated to the extremities. • When choosing clothing, know that some clothing may restrict movement resulting in a hazardous situation. • Make sure to protect the ears, face, hands and feet in extremely cold weather. • Boots should be waterproof and insulated. • Wear a hat; it will keep your whole body warmer by reducing heat loss from your head. • Move into warm locations during work breaks; limit the amount of time you spend outside on extremely cold days. • Carry cold weather gear, such as extra socks, gloves, hats, jacket, blankets, a change of clothes and a thermos of hot liquid.