HOW TO PREVENT COLD STRESS INJURIES IN ROAD CREWS

Whether they’re managing maintenance in bitter cold or salting surfaces for ice and snowstorms, road crews are routinely exposed to freezing temperatures and subzero wind chills, along with rain, sleet, ice and slush. Because their work requires them to be out in the elements during the worst winter conditions, road crews are at a higher risk for cold stress and cold-related injury on the job.

Employers have a responsibility to provide a safer workplace by educating employees on the signs and symptoms of cold stress, as well as outfitting their road crews with the proper workwear for dangerously cold conditions.

How does cold stress affect road crews?

Cold stress occurs when the body draws blood away from the extremities and into the core to maintain the temperature and function of the major organs. The most dangerous aspect of cold stress is that workers who are suffering its effects may not even realize that anything is wrong. Without intervention from a manager or coworker who recognizes the danger signs, the safety of all employees on the jobsite can be jeopardized by the cold.

What are the signs of cold stress in road crews and transportation workers?

Throughout the winter, employers and managers must be alert to the warning signs and symptoms of cold stress, including:

• Shivering
• Tingling sensations followed by numbness
• Fatigue and drowsiness
• Disorientation or confusion
• Slurred speech
• Changes in skin color (such as turning from red to purple to white) and texture (such as a waxy appearance)

Without swift treatment, these cold stress symptoms can quickly advance to more serious conditions like hypothermia, frostbite or trench foot that result in permanent injury, loss of limbs and, in some cases, death.

Hypothermia

When exposed to the cold without sufficiently insulated PPE, the body loses heat faster than it can be produced and hypothermia sets in. Hypothermia can occur in temperatures well above freezing, especially when workers are exposed to rain, sleet, snow and cold water or when exertion in the cold causes excessive sweating.

When body temperature drops to 95°F or lower, it becomes a medical emergency that can lead to respiratory failure, vital organ failure and death.

Frostbite

Frostbite occurs when any area of the skin and underlying tissues freezes. An area affected by frostbite can feel cold and tingly, then numb, or it can change colors and take on a hard, waxy texture. Frostbite can occur in any temperature below freezing and it can affect any area of exposed or inadequately protected skin.

Mild cases of frostbite can be treated with rewarming and protection from further damage. More advanced cases require medical attention, as they can result in swelling, blistering and necrosis that may require surgery to remove.

Trench Foot

Road crews are susceptible to trench foot because they’re frequently working on cold, wet surfaces or wading through slush and puddles accumulated on the jobsite. Trench foot is caused by hours of exposure to cold, damp conditions, standing in water or working in wet or excessively sweaty socks and shoes.

Trench foot can develop in less than 10 hours and then the skin and tissues of the foot develop open sores or slough off, resulting in infection that can require debridement or amputation.

Wearing Proper PPE Reduces the Risk of Cold Stress in Road Crews

While the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) does not yet have a specific standard for outfitting road crews in cold temperatures, Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 requires that employers provide “a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards, including winter weather related hazards, which are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to them.”

Employers must set clear expectations for road crews about how to dress for warmth, safety and productivity in cold conditions.

How to Choose Insulated PPE for Warmth

Guarding against cold stress with insulated PPE requires careful consideration of environmental and personal factors.

Thermal PPE is available in varying levels of warmth and insulation from lightweight jackets and coveralls intended for mild temperatures to heavy-duty garments insulated against freezing or subzero temperatures. Road crew workers should select winter workwear based on the expected environmental conditions, such as temperature, wind chill and precipitation, as well as their personal activity level. If they’ll be very active, such as shoveling snow, they need less insulation because they’re generating more of their own body heat. If they’ll be less active, as with flagging or traffic control work, they’ll need more insulation from the cold.

Consider the type of insulation in the garment. For example, natural down insulation is warm, but it becomes uncomfortably heavy when it gets wet and it settles into clumps over time, leaving “cold spots.” Synthetic insulation, such as polyester or recycled and plant-based materials, are lighter, more durable, and can be sewn into the garment to prevent shifting or settling.

Wet weather puts workers in the express lane to cold stress. Water-repellent outerwear is a necessity; however, workers must also be wary of moisture from building up on the inside of their insulated work clothes. Sweat and moisture trapped near the skin can lower body temperature and lead to hypothermia. In its NIOSH Science Blog, the Centers for Disease Control recommends dressing in layers.

Start with a moisture-wicking base layer. Avoid thermal underwear made of cotton, as cotton absorbs sweat and holds it near the skin, making the body feel colder. Base layers made with hollow synthetic fibers are designed to wick away moisture and keep workers warmer.

Over the base layer, add an insulated mid-layer, such as a thermal hoodie or sweatshirt. The mid-layer adds a pocket of warmth that traps body heat before it radiates away. Then, choose a weatherproof outer layer, such as insulated coveralls or bib overalls and an insulated jacket.

Each layer should fit loosely. Clothing that is too tight, especially at the waist, at the top of sock bands and at the cuffs of jackets or gloves, will restrict blood flow. Without adequate circulation, the extremities will not stay warm and the risk of both frostbite and hypothermia increase.

Remember to guard against frostbite by covering all areas of exposed skin. Use a neck gaiter or full-face mask to cover the vulnerable skin of the neck, ears and face. On job sites that require a hard hat or safety helmet, look for balaclavas with extra fabric to stretch over safety headwear or choose a thin, ear-covering skull cap and pair it with a gaiter or mask to cover the nose, mouth and throat.

How to Choose Insulated PPE for Safety

The most fundamental aspect of road crew safety is visibility. Make sure every member of the crew can be seen by their colleagues, as well as passing motorists, with high-visibility winter workwear.

In the winter, it’s safer for workers to wear jackets and pants that meet ANSI specifications for high visibility instead of wrestling to pull a mesh safety vest over a thick winter work jacket.

Slips, trips and falls present a serious hazard to road crew safety. Select insulated footwear with anti-slip outsoles that are made to withstand contact with cold or frozen surfaces. Regular rubber outsoles are not designed for durability against freezing temperatures, so look for work boots with cold-resistant compounds in the soles that fully protect workers’ feet from cold and moisture on the ground.

Road crews must often handle dangerously sharp tools and equipment in the cold, so workers may need insulated work gloves or glove liners that also include a level of ANSI-rated cut resistance. These gloves perform double-duty to guard against frostbite in the fingers and reduce the risk of injuries from blades or other equipment.

How to Choose Insulated PPE for Productivity

There’s no question that it takes grit to work outside on a road crew in the dead of winter. Being productive in those conditions also requires the right gear that won’t hinder workers or hold them back from getting the job done.

Road crews need cold weather gear with practical functionality that makes it easier to work in the most challenging winter conditions. For example, an employer might choose a jacket with the right type and level of insulation to keep workers warm, but if it’s so thick and stiff that workers can’t flex their elbows or stretch from their shoulders to perform the functions of their job, they’re not going to wear it. So, they’re still at risk for cold stress and cold-related injury.

Instead, look for thermal PPE specifically designed for people with active jobs. Look for flexible materials and expanding panels at the shoulders, elbows and knees to provide maximum flexibility. Another way to maximize productivity is to select workwear that includes multiple pockets, as well as functional loops and clips that keep tools, pens and radios within easy reach.

Cold Weather PPE Keeps Road Crews Protected

Road crews are doing vital work and their communities are counting on them to keep roadways clear, even in the worst winter weather. Employers have an obligation to protect them from the hazards of cold stress and keep them warm, safe and productive on the job.