University of Alaska Anchorage
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES MANUAL
Policies and Procedures
Purpose
Section
EHS/RMS
Part
Procedure
Statement
17
Title
Effective Date
COLD STRESS
03/01/10
The purpose of this program is to provide guidance for protecting
employees from hazards of cold environmental conditions and to
provide information on engineering, administrative and personal
protective equipment (PPE) controls.
Being uncomfortable is not the major problem with working in
cold temperatures. Workers who are suddenly exposed to working
in a cold environment face additional and generally avoidable
hazards to their safety and health.
Responsibilities
Management:
 provide information to workers on signs of cold stress
 provide means of preventing cold stress and other cold related
health hazards
Hazard Controls Engineering Controls
 Ensure all inside areas have adequate ventilation and heat
 When outside conditions are windy, provide windbreaks if
possible
 Provide portable ventilation and heat when possible
Administrative Controls
 Provide training to all affected employees
 Provide adequate and sanitary drinking facilities and utensils
 Rotate workers during cold temperature operations
Protective Equipment: Assure that employees are wearing
insulating and layered clothing when appropriate.
How the Body
The human body, being warm blooded, maintains a fairly constant
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University of Alaska Anchorage
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES MANUAL
Policies and Procedures
Section
EHS/RMS
Part
Procedure
Statement
17
Title
Effective Date
COLD STRESS
03/01/10
Handles Cold
internal temperature, even though it is being exposed to varying
environmental temperatures. To keep internal body temperatures
within safe limits, the body must conserve heat by decreasing
blood flow to the skin or generate metabolic heat by exercise.
When your body temperatures drop even a few degrees below
normal, shivering occurs. This is the body’s way of generating
more heat through muscular activity. Usually at the same time,
blood flow is decreased to the skin so as to maintain the optimum
temperature for vital internal organs. “Goose Bumps” often occur
along with shivering. This is the body’s way of temporarily
thickening the skin to provide better insulation. Cold stress can
lead to weakness, drowsiness, disorientation, unconsciousness,
and even death.
Safety Problems
Certain safety problems are common to cold environments. Cold
tends to promote accidents due to heavy clothing making
manipulation of tools and operation of equipment difficult. In
addition, physical discomfort from the cold and the poor and
sometimes unpredictable behavior of tools and machines promotes
irritability, anger, and other emotional states that sometimes cause
workers to overlook safety procedures or to divert attention from
hazardous tasks.
Health Problems Excessive exposure to cold work environments can bring about a
variety of cold-induced disorders.
Hypothermia:
Hypothermia exists when the body temperature
drops below normal (98.6F). The early stages of hypothermia, are
usually characterized by uncontrollable shivering and proliferation
of “goose bumps.” Hypothermic victims become weak,
uncoordinated, drowsy, disoriented, and exhibit slurred speech.
Muscle stiffness can set in, the pulse can become weak, irregular
and difficult to find, and unconsciousness may occur. Often times,
victims of hypothermia deny that they are cold or need medical
attention. If left untreated, the hypothermic victim may die.
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University of Alaska Anchorage
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES MANUAL
Policies and Procedures
Section
EHS/RMS
Part
Procedure
Statement
17
Title
Effective Date
COLD STRESS
03/01/10
While most people consider water at a temperature of 75F or 85F
to be warm, emersion in water that is less that 98.6F for a period
of time can lead to hypothermia. Of course, hypothermia will
occur quicker as the water gets colder. A general rule is that water
can cool the body 25 to 30 times as fast as air can.
Wind-chill or the cooling effect of moving air on exposed skin can
also contribute to hypothermia. Often times, weather reports issue
a wind-chill factor that provides a more realistic measure of
environmental conditions on exposed skin. While the outdoor
temperature may be simply brisk, a ten mile per hour breeze can
significantly lower the body’s perception of temperature. Body
heat is lost faster in a breeze than in the calm at the same
temperature.
Any person with definite signs or symptoms of hypothermia
requires immediate medical attention and often times
hospitalization. However, first aid should be immediately
administered. This includes removing the victim to a warm area
and removing all wet clothing. The victim should then be bundled
in warm dry blankets or clothing. DO NOT rub or massage the
victim or place the victim in hot water. If conscious, give the
victim warm drinks, but no alcohol or caffeine containing drinks.
If unconscious, administer CPR if needed while keeping the victim
in a warm dry place.
To prevent hypothermia during cold weather, dress in layers.
Avoid the use of cotton except immediately next to your skin and
use materials that wick moisture away from the body and provide
good insulation (wool or polypropylene). If working in cold and
wet environments, a waterproof or water repellant outer layer
should be worn. As temperatures and activities change, layers can
be added or removed as necessary.
If you’ll be working for extended periods of time in cold weather,
use the buddy system or at least let someone else know what
you’re doing and when to expect you back. A buddy can provide
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University of Alaska Anchorage
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES MANUAL
Policies and Procedures
Section
EHS/RMS
Part
Procedure
Statement
17
Title
Effective Date
COLD STRESS
03/01/10
more objective observations the signs and symptoms of
hypothermia that might occur in you.
Whenever possible, take your breaks in warm dry places and be
sure to drink plenty of warm liquids. Dehydration generally
accompanies hypothermia. If you notice a marked decrease in the
frequency of urination or if your urine appears very dark, you are
probably becoming dehydrated.
Frostbite: Frostbite (frost nip in the early stages) occurs when
the fluids and tissues of the skin freeze. Because of the body’s
tendency to conserve heat when exposed to cold by decreasing
blood circulation to the skin, the extremities, especially the
fingers, toes, nose, ears, and cheeks are extremely susceptible to
frostbite.
A sure sign that frostbite is close to occurring is when fingers and
toes start to tingle and hurt from the cold. In the first stage of
frostbite (often called frost nip) the skin becomes to redden and
then becomes a blotchy gray or yellow. Finally the skin completely
white and sometimes blisters and may feel very cold or numb. In
the advanced stages of frostbite, there is usually no feeling at all in
the exposed skin. While frostbitten victims don’t always display
signs of hypothermia, they should be evaluated and treated
appropriately.
Besides treating the victim for hypothermia, warm the frozen body
part by placing it in warm (NOT hot) water, warm damp cloths or
blankets. DO NOT rub or move the frozen part. Place the frozen
part below heart level to increase the flow of blood. Remember
that a frostbitten part may have little or no feeling so keep the part
away from heat sources that may cause a burn. Warm liquids can
be given if the person is conscious, but do not give alcohol or
caffeine. Avoid the use of nicotine containing products as nicotine
causes constriction of peripheral blood vessels. Once the area is
thawed, the victim should gently exercise the part to encourage
blood flow. If the thawed part bleeds of discharges liquids, be sure
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University of Alaska Anchorage
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES MANUAL
Policies and Procedures
Section
EHS/RMS
Part
Procedure
Statement
17
Title
Effective Date
COLD STRESS
03/01/10
to keep it dressed with clean and loose bandages. If the victim will
have to go back out into the cold again, do not thaw the frostbitten
area as it might freeze again and cause more damage. Get medical
attention as soon as possible.
The best prevention for frostbite is to stay out of extremely cold
weather. If you must work outside in very cold weather, wear
clothing to protect your face, nose, ears, fingers and toes. Use the
buddy system and check each other frequently for signs of
frostbite. Take frequent breaks in warm dry places.
Warnings
EHS/RMS will issue cold stress warnings as appropriate and
supervisors will advise employees to take the necessary
precautions against cold stress and injuries. Additional
information is available in the Cold Stress Physical Agent Data
Sheet.
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