--- title: Cold Stress Prevention description: In this video, we’re going to learn about the risks and injuries that are commonly associated with working in cold-weather conditions and how you can prevent them from happening in the workplace. --- [Skip to content](https://learn.servicesanitation.com/cold-stress#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [![ssi-logo](https://learn.servicesanitation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ssi-logo.jpg?width=100&height=51&name=ssi-logo.jpg)](https://learn.servicesanitation.com/?hsLang=en) - [Quick Hitters](https://learn.servicesanitation.com/migration/quick-hitters) - [Safety Meetings](https://learn.servicesanitation.com/safety-meetings) - [Driver Training](https://learn.servicesanitation.com/driver-training) - [Yard Training](https://learn.servicesanitation.com/yard-training) - [CSR Training](https://learn.servicesanitation.com/csr-training) - [Tablet Training](https://learn.servicesanitation.com/tablet-training) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Quick Hitters](https://learn.servicesanitation.com/migration/quick-hitters) - [Safety Meetings](https://learn.servicesanitation.com/safety-meetings) - [Driver Training](https://learn.servicesanitation.com/driver-training) - [Yard Training](https://learn.servicesanitation.com/yard-training) - [CSR Training](https://learn.servicesanitation.com/csr-training) - [Tablet Training](https://learn.servicesanitation.com/tablet-training) - English Show submenu for translations This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Knowledge Base](https://learn.servicesanitation.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Safety Meetings](https://learn.servicesanitation.com/safety-meetings?hsLang=en) # Cold Stress Prevention ## Cold weather can affect your hands, your judgment, and your ability to work safely. In this video, we’ll review how to prevent cold stress. recognize warning signs. and respond when someone needs help. We’ll also cover essential precautions for winter driving. ![](https://fast.wistia.com/embed/medias/ryauq0l8tb/swatch)   **Understanding Cold Stress** Cold stress happens when your body loses heat faster than it can replace it. Wind and wet conditions speed up that heat loss, even when temperatures are above freezing. At Service Sanitation, exposure can come from soaked gloves while washing restrooms, wet socks during a route, or wind blowing through an open yard. These conditions become more dangerous when you aren’t dressed properly or you’re exhausted. Certain health conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, and hypothyroidism, can also increase your risk. Before working outside, check the forecast and wind chill. As conditions change throughout the day, adjust your clothing, workload, and breaks to match. **Dressing for the Conditions** Protecting yourself begins with choosing the right clothing. Always consider wearing three loose-fitting layers. Start with a wool or synthetic base layer to manage moisture. Add an insulating middle layer, such as fleece or wool, followed by an outer layer that protects against wind and water while allowing ventilation. Avoid cotton against your skin because it holds moisture and loses insulation when wet. Along with these layers, protect your head, ears, face, hands, and feet. Wear insulated, waterproof boots and gloves appropriate for your work. Make sure your clothing allows movement without restricting circulation and continue wearing the protective equipment required for your task. As you work, adjust your layers before you overheat and sweat. Bring spare socks, gloves, and clothing so you can replace wet items promptly. Keep your gloves on when handling cold metal, since direct contact with bare skin can cause injury. **Warm-Up Areas and Heaters** The right clothing helps retain body heat, but you also need opportunities to get out of the cold. Before starting work, know where you can warm up. Heated truck cabs, heated garages, , break rooms, and barriers that block the wind can help reduce cold exposure. When using these areas, remember that heating equipment introduces its own hazards. Fuel-burning heaters and running vehicles can produce deadly carbon monoxide, so use equipment only as directed. Never idle a truck inside an enclosed garage or use an outdoor-only heater indoors. If you’re warming up in a vehicle, always keep its exhaust pipe clear of snow. **Working Safely in the Cold** Having a warm-up area is only helpful if you take time to use it. Supervisors should plan frequent, short breaks in warm, dry areas. When possible, they should schedule demanding outdoor work during warmer hours and rotate tasks to limit prolonged exposure. Employees new to cold-weather work or returning after time away should gradually increase their outdoor workloads and receive more frequent warm-up breaks. During the shift, drink fluids regularly, including warm drinks. Eat enough to maintain your energy, and pace yourself to avoid exhaustion. While monitoring how you feel, consider your coworkers too. If you see them shivering excessively, showing numbness, or changes in their speech or behavior advise them that they should head indoors to warm up. Work in pairs when possible. If you’re working alone, arrange regular check-ins with your supervisor or dispatch. If you become extremely uncomfortable from the cold, interrupt the task and get to shelter. Along with cold exposure, watch for hazards created by winter weather. Ice can collect on walkways and truck steps, so wear footwear with good traction, take short steps, and walk slowly. Report icy areas in the yard so they can be cleared or treated accordingly. **Recognizing Cold-Related Injuries** These precautions help reduce your risk, but cold injuries can still develop. Knowing the warning signs allows you to respond before the condition becomes worse. The injuries affect the body in different ways. Hypothermia lowers body temperature, frostbite freezes tissue, and trench foot develops when feet stay wet and cold. Repeated exposure to cool, damp conditions can also cause a skin condition called chilblains. **Hypothermia** Hypothermia occurs when the body’s core temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. As body temperature drops, judgment, movement, and vital organs can be affected. Warning signs include persistent shivering, clumsy hands, confusion, slurred speech, or unusual drowsiness. If shivering stops while the person is still cold, their condition may be getting worse. Because hypothermia is a medical emergency, always stop work and **call 911** if you suspect it. Don’t wait for a temperature reading. Give the emergency dispatcher your exact location and describe the symptoms. Once emergency help is requested, notify your supervisor or company dispatch. While waiting for help, move the person gently to a warm, dry area. Remove wet clothing and cover them with dry blankets, including the head and neck, while keeping the face uncovered. Stay with them and follow the emergency dispatcher’s instructions. Give a warm drink only if they are fully alert and able to swallow. If they are unresponsive and not breathing normally, follow dispatcher instructions for CPR and an AED. **Frostbite** While hypothermia affects the body’s core temperature, frostbite occurs when skin and underlying tissue freeze. Fingers, toes, ears, the nose, and cheeks are especially vulnerable, even beneath clothing. Watch for tingling, pain, numbness, or skin that looks pale or grayish and feels firm or waxy. If you notice these signs, get to a warm area and seek medical attention promptly. Loosely cover the affected area with a dry cloth and protect it from contact. Do not rub the skin, break blisters, or apply direct heat. Avoid walking on frostbitten feet unless necessary for safety. Let medical professionals direct rewarming, since tissue that thaws and freezes again can suffer additional damage. **Trench Foot** Unlike frostbite, trench foot does not require freezing temperatures. It develops when feet stay wet and cold for long periods and can occur at temperatures as high as 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Symptoms include numbness, redness, pain, swelling, or blisters. If these symptoms develop, remove wet boots and socks, dry your feet, and seek medical attention promptly. Avoid walking on affected feet because this can worsen the injury. **Safe Winter Driving** The same weather that creates hazards in the yard can also make driving more dangerous. Snow, ice, and poor visibility mean you need more space and more time to react. Before driving, inspect your vehicle and clear snow and ice from windows, mirrors, lights, and steps. Check tires, brakes, wipers, and defrosters. Carry warm clothing, a blanket, and emergency supplies in case you become delayed or stranded. Once on the road, follow our safe-distance policy by maintaining at least five to seven seconds between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. Increase that distance when roads are slippery or visibility is reduced. That extra space gives you more time to slow down before curves, intersections, and stops. Keep braking, steering, and acceleration gradual to help maintain traction. You also need to know how your vehicle’s braking system works. During emergency braking with ABS, apply firm, continuous pedal pressure. Do not pump the pedal. For vehicles without ABS, follow your vehicle-specific braking training. If your drive wheels begin to spin, gently ease off the accelerator until traction returns. Avoid abrupt braking and overcorrecting, and follow your rollover prevention training for downhill driving and skid recovery. If conditions become unsafe despite these precautions, stop in a safe location and contact dispatch. **Final Thoughts** Whether you’re working in the yard or driving a route, cold-weather safety starts with preparation. Stay dry, dress for the conditions, and take warm-up breaks before symptoms develop. If a coworker becomes confused, unusually sleepy, or clumsy, stop work and get help. On the road, slow down, leave more room to stop, and keep your movements controlled. 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