IDENTIFYING COLD STRESS INJURIES

Transcription

1 Prepared by Amerisure Mutual Insurance Company January 2016

2 CONTENTS 1 INDUSTRIES WITH THE HIGHEST RISK 1 WHO IS AT RISK? 2 TYPES OF COLD STRESS INJURIES 3 HOW COLD STRESS INJURIES OCCUR 4 TIPS FOR PREVENTING COLD STRESS INJURIES 5 THE AMERISURE ADVANTAGE

3 With the winter months soon upon us in many parts of the country, the dangers of cold stress injuries become more prevalent. When an individual works in cold conditions, their body temperature can drop below normal, causing serious health conditions to occur. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), extreme cold weather is a dangerous situation that can bring on health emergencies in susceptible people, such as those who work outdoors and who work in an area that is poorly insulated or without heat. 1 However, anyone in poor physical condition, older or on an inadequate diet can be more susceptible to cold stress injuries than those in good health. Fortunately, identifying ways to protect workers doesn t have to be difficult. As you read further, you ll find the needed information to help avoid cold stress injuries while on the job. Industries with the Highest Risk The industries with the highest rates of cold stress injuries include heavy construction, oil and gas extraction, trucking and warehousing, protective services, electric and gas utilities and sanitation. Vehicle breakdown, contact with gasoline, alcohol or water might all be contributing factors. During non-winter months, injuries often occur among people who process, distribute and prepare food. Who is at Risk? Workers at increased risk are those who have a health condition such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or hypertension. In addition, workers taking certain medications that limit the shivering mechanism can increase their risk of hypothermia. Women usually tolerate cold environments better than men because they tend to have increased body fat. 1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Workplace Safety & Health Topics, Cold Stress, July 30,

4 Types of Cold Stress Injuries Work-related cold injuries occur when people work outdoors in the cold, in cold rooms, with cryogenics or in inadequately heated buildings. Cold stress injuries associated with cold weather and inadequate shelter include: 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. 2 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. 3 occurs because wet feet lose heat 25-times faster than dry feet. Therefore, to prevent heat loss, the body constricts blood vessels, shutting down circulation in the feet. Skin tissue begins to die because of lack of oxygen and nutrients and due to the buildup of toxic products. 4 Chilblains Chilblains is an injury to the skin caused by repeated exposure to temperatures just above freezing to as high as 60 F. The cold air causes permanent damage to the capillary beds, the groups of small blood vessel beneath the skin s surface causing redness, itching, blistering and inflammation. In severe cases, chilblains can lead to ulcerations. After chilblains presents itself, redness and itching will return with additional exposure. Workers are most likely to be affected on the cheeks, ears, finger and toes.5 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 60º Fahrenheit if the feet are constantly wet. Injury 2,3,4,5 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Workplace Safety & Health Topics, Cold Stress, July 30,

5 How Cold Stress Injuries Occur Simply put, cold stress injuries occur when an individual is exposed to a cold environment and loses body heat. Fortunately, the body has many mechanisms to regulate body temperature. These mechanisms will either conserve or generate heat. When the body begins to cool, it creates heat by converting stored chemical energy into thermal energy. The body begins to shiver when the skeletal muscles are called upon to produce heat from stored energy to warm the body. When energy is no longer available, the body temperature begins to drop. The body responds to cold stress by rerouting blood toward the brain and major organs and away from the extremities. This decreases the amount of energy needed to maintain the core body temperature at the expense of the extremities. 3

6 Tips for Preventing Cold Stress Injuries Workers can be protected from cold stress injuries. Keep in mind that it does not have to be below freezing to suffer a cold stress injury. Many times this occurs above freezing and wind chill factor always need to be considered. The following is a list of suggestions: Recognize the environmental and workplace conditions that could lead to cold-induced illnesses and injuries. Educate workers on the signs and symptoms of cold-induced illnesses and injuries and review possible remedies. Develop a training program for the workforce on cold-induced injuries and illnesses. Review proper clothing for cold, wet and windy conditions. Suggest layered clothing for changing environmental temperatures. Hats and gloves, in addition to underwear that will keep water away from the skin (polypropylene), are recommended. Wool gloves, socks, shirts and coats are recommended because wool is an excellent insulating fiber and continues to provide body protection even when the material is wet. If the skin gets wet, dry off immediately. Wet skin freezes at a higher temperature than dry skin. Recommend frequent short breaks in warm, dry shelters to allow the body to warm up. Outdoor work should be performed during the warmest part of the day. Avoid exhaustion or fatigue because energy is needed to keep the muscles warm. Care should be taken when handling propane tanks and fittings during the winter months. The fittings can reach -50º Fahrenheit; therefore, gloves must be worn to protect the hands. The buddy system, working in pairs, is a good idea. Drink warm, sweet beverages (sports-type drinks, sugar water or diluted Jell-O ). Avoid drinks with caffeine, such as coffee, tea, hot chocolate or alcoholic beverages. Avoid alcohol. Not only can impaired judgment lead to cold exposure, but alcohol and similar drugs can dilate blood vessels near the skin (vasodilatation) which decreases the shivering mechanism, both of which decrease the body s ability to compensate for cold exposure. Avoid nicotine and tobacco products as these are vasodilators and increase the risk of frostbite. A diet with high-calorie, high-carbohydrate foods like hot pasta dishes help keep the body warm. 4

7 THE AMERISURE ADVANTAGE Amerisure s Loss Control Consultants are highly trained to recognize environments that put workers at risk for cold stress injuries. By working in collaboration with you and your Amerisure agency, our Loss Control Consultants focus on creative solutions to help identify, evaluate and mitigate loss exposures. Amerisure s experts review current safety programs, policies and procedures for effectiveness, and offer supervisory safety training on a variety of topics to assist in keeping your employees safe. In addition, our DVD resources, safety communication, educational materials and online safety training are readily available to enhance safety awareness within your facilities and among your employees. This multi-process approach supports Amerisure s promise of providing service second to none. The Advantage of Partnership. For more information, please contact your local Loss Control Consultant at or losscontrol@ These instructions do not supersede local, state, or federal regulations. This document is for general information only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, ergonomic, training or medical advice in any particular circumstance or fact situation. 5