Cold Stress and Hypothermia Safety

Key Hazards

• Hypothermia from prolonged cold exposure
• Frostbite on exposed skin, fingers, toes, ears, or face
• Reduced dexterity and grip strength
• Impaired judgment, confusion, or slowed reaction time
• Wet clothing increasing heat loss
• Slips, trips, and equipment handling problems in winter conditions

2–3 Minute Talk Script

Cold stress occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can replace it. This can happen during winter work, wet weather, wind exposure, night work, emergency response, snow removal, utility repairs, and jobs that require workers to remain outside for long periods.

Hypothermia is especially dangerous because it can affect judgment. A worker may become confused, slow, unusually quiet, clumsy, or unable to recognize how serious the situation is.

Wet clothing increases cold stress risk. Rain, snow, sweat, mud, and water from utility work can pull heat away from the body, especially when combined with wind or low temperatures.

Wind chill can make conditions more dangerous than the air temperature suggests. Exposed skin, hands, ears, and face can lose heat quickly when wind is present.

Cold conditions also affect work performance. Reduced grip strength, stiff fingers, bulky gloves, slippery surfaces, and slower reaction time can increase the risk of dropped tools, equipment mistakes, and falls.

Workers should dress in layers that can be adjusted based on activity level. Dry socks, insulated boots, gloves, hats, and wind-resistant outerwear help maintain warmth and dexterity.

Warm-up breaks should be used before symptoms become severe. Crews should have access to vehicles, heated areas, dry clothing, or other recovery options when cold exposure is expected.

Coworker awareness is one of the best controls for cold stress. Workers should watch each other for shivering, confusion, slurred speech, clumsiness, numbness, pale skin, or unusual behavior and report concerns immediately.

Safety Reminders

• Dress in layers suitable for the work and weather.
• Keep clothing, gloves, socks, and boots as dry as possible.
• Protect exposed skin from wind and cold.
• Use warm-up breaks before symptoms become serious.
• Watch coworkers for confusion, clumsiness, or unusual behavior.
• Use footwear and caution on icy or slippery surfaces.
• Report cold stress symptoms early.

Ask the Crew

• Are workers dressed properly for the temperature and wind chill?
• Is anyone wet, shivering, numb, or showing unusual behavior?
• Where can workers warm up if cold stress symptoms appear?
• Do gloves and clothing allow safe handling of tools and equipment?
• Are slippery surfaces adding to the cold-weather hazard?