What is Cold Stress?

When we think about winter and the cold months ahead, we often overlook the risks the cold imposes on many of our nation’s workers. However, cold stress and the precautions that should be taken are so important in ensuring the safety of our employees. Before discussing how to prevent cold stress and taking actionable steps toward prevention, it is important to define cold stress and explain why this danger is important.

What is cold stress? Cold stress happens when skin temperature and internal body temperature drops. If the body is unable to warm itself, the subsequent stress imposed on the body can lead to serious illnesses and injuries. For example, when someone’s body temperature becomes too low, it can affect their brain function, a person’s ability to move, or even cause death. Illnesses and conditions brought on by cold stress can also cause permanent damage in a person’s body. Furthermore, studies have shown that patients who died from cold temperatures were responsible for 94% of temperature-related deaths due to the body's inability to manage hypothermia. Our bodies need to maintain a certain internal environment known as homeostasis that includes the correct temperature to conduct the necessary chemical reactions needed for internal processes to live. These internal processes can be affected by too much or too little heat. Someone’s physical fitness and conditioning is an important risk factor to cold stress because poor levels of conditioning can result in faster core temperature cooling. Pre-existing conditions can also accelerate the risk of injury. 

People often think that cold stress can only happen when someone is outside, but cold stress can happen in both indoor and outdoor settings. Workers face risks in many different environments and cold stress can occur in any industry where workers are exposed to the cold. This includes but is not limited to: mail carriers, delivery drivers, construction workers, restaurant workers, and powerline workers, to name a few. For an indoor setting, workers can face cold stress when buildings may not be insulated enough. This means a building won’t provide warmth or protection from the outer cold elements. For example, in the construction industry, workers may be at job sites working inside partially constructed buildings that leaves them exposed to the cold even if there are walls and a roof. 

The best time to think about cold stress safety isn’t once winter has hit with its harsh winds, snow, or freezing precipitation. The best time is actually when it’s still warm out so that preventative measures can be put in place before a harsh winter. Thinking about cold protection so many months ahead often prevents serious injuries, illnesses, or even death. Furthermore, some possible cold-related risks, like planning for temporary heat loss in building enclosures require specific planning, equipment and materials that often can’t be acquired fast enough once the problem is at hand. 

To keep yourself and those around you safe in the cold and to learn more about how to keep your workers safe and what cold stress prevention measures to put in place, visit: https://www.thehartford.com/insights/home-workplace-safety/cold-stress?cmp=EMC-ML-Construction2211-35358156.

DII is your partner in cold safety this holiday season. Our team of experts can work with you to understand how to protect your friends, family, and coworkers from the cold during these harsh winter months. Please contact your DII representative for more information.  #HolidaySeason #ColdStress #Prevention