YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY PROTOCOL TO AVOID HYPOTHERMIA

Follow these tips to avoid cold stress or cold-induced illnesses or injuries.

Train Employees for the Cold and Changing Weather

             On these colder days, workers must be trained not only about cold-induced illnesses and injuries, but also to determine environmental or work site conditions that may cause cold stress.

They should be specially trained in recognizing the signs and symptoms of cold stress or cold-induced injuries like hypothermia and frostbite.

Here are the signs and symptoms of hypothermia:

• Cool skin
• Slower, irregular breathing
• Slower heartbeat
• Weak pulse
• Uncontrollable shivering
• Severe shaking
• Rigid muscles
• Drowsiness
• Exhaustion
• Slurred speech
• Memory lapses

The following are signs and symptoms of frostbite: