How Would You Treat Hands Like These?

frostbite fingers
Would you know what to do if a co-worker had frozen hands like these?

Step 1: Diagnose: Frozen, stiff and blackened fingers are a sure sign of frostbite.

Step 2: Treat: The best way to treat frostbite is to get the victim to a warm room and loosely cover the affected area until it warms up. Do NOT warm the affected area by rubbing it or directly exposing it to fire, a heat lamp or other heat source.

The Moral: There are different forms of cold stress and you need to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of each so you know how to properly treat it.

COLD STRESS CAN KILL

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Being cold isn’t just uncomfortable; it can cause serious injury and, in extreme cases, even kill you. In the U.S., approximately 700 people die of cold-related injuries each year—that’s higher than the number of fatalities caused by floods and tornadoes. These cold-related injuries, which are known as “cold stress” can happen at work.

WHO’S AT RISK

You’re at risk of cold stress if you work outdoors, in/near/above water or inside freezers or refrigerated facilities, including:

Construction;
Utilities;
Mining;
Oil and gas extraction;
Transportation and truck driving;
Agriculture;
Lumber;
Fishing;
Mortuaries; and
Food production and warehousing.

HOW COLD STRESS HAPPENS

Normal body temperature is 98.6° F. Minor and short-term decreases in body temperature are uncomfortable but generally not dangerous; but when core body temperature drops below 95.0° F, the body has trouble circulating blood. Result: The body becomes susceptible to cold stress. The longer the exposure to sub-95.0° F temperatures, the greater the danger.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE & TREAT COLD STRESS

If you work in cold conditions, you and your co-workers may be at risk of 4 kinds of cold stress. Make sure you know the signs and symptoms of each one so you can recognize and properly treat the condition:

1. Frostbite
frostbite fingers 2
Freezing of the extremities (fingers, toes, nose, earlobes, etc.) caused by loss of blood flow, which can cause tissue damage and amputation
Frostbite Signs & Symptoms

Bluish or pale, waxy skin
Blackened skin (extreme cases)
Blistering
Numbness, tingling, stinging sensation

Frostbite First Aid Treatment

Get into warm room ASAP
Loosely cover affect area
Give victim warm, sweetened (nonalcoholic) drinks
Allow victim and affected area to warm up
DO NOT rub affected area
DO NOT directly expose the affected area to fire, heat lamp or other heat source that can cause burns
DO NOT break blisters

2. Trench Foot (aka Immersion Foot)

Injury to the feet caused by prolonged exposure to cold and/or wet conditions which causes blood flow to the feet to shut down, potentially resulting in tissue damage and amputation
Trench Foot Signs & Symptoms

Reddening
Foot turns dark purple, blue or gray (extreme cases)
Swelling
Blistering
Bleeding under the skin
Numbness
Tingling pain
Leg cramps

Trench Foot First Aid Treatment

Remove wet shoes, boots and socks
Dry the feet
DO NOT let the victim walk because it can cause tissue damage to the feet

3. Chilblains

Tissue damage, typically to the feet or hands that occurs when exposure to cold damages beds of capillary or small blood vessels in the skin
Chilblains Signs & Symptoms

Reddening
Inflammation
Blistering
Ulceration, i.e., formation of open sores (extreme cases)
Itchiness

Chilblains First Aid Treatment

Slowly warm skin
Keep blisters/ulcers clean and covered
Treat with corticosteroid creams
DO NOT scratch the itch
DO NOT break blisters

4. Hypothermia

The most dangerous form of cold stress that occurs when body temperature drops so low that the body can no longer replace lost body heat and uses up its stored energy. Possible result: Body systems and functions shut down and the victim essentially freezes to death

Hypothermia Signs & Symptoms

Early Symptoms

Shivering
Fatigue
Loss of coordination
Confusion/Disorientation

Late Symptoms

Shivering stops
Blue skin
Dilated pupils
Slowed pulse & breathing
Loss of consciousness

Hypothermia First Aid Treatment

Call for immediate medical help
Move victim to warm area or room
Remove wet clothing
Warm center of body—chest, neck, head, groin
Have victim drink warm beverages without alcohol
When body temperature increases, keep victim dry and wrapped in a warm blanket—including the head and neck
Begin CPR if victim has no pulse

HOW COLD STRESS CAN BE AVOIDED
The key to protecting yourself against cold stress is being aware of the danger and taking steps to keep your core body temperature at or above the critical 95.0° F threshold.

The company will do its part in achieving this goal by implementing appropriate engineering and work controls to minimize your exposure to work conditions that can lead to cold stress;
By you also have to do your part and protect yourself.

10 Ways to Protect Yourself When Working in the Cold:

1. Be aware of and follow all safe work procedures

s.o.p.

2. Wear at least 3 layers of protective clothing:

An inner layer of wool, silk or synthetics to insulate your body against moisture
A middle layer of wool or synthetics for insulation in case the outer layer gets wet
An outer layer to protect against wind and moisture and that’s ventilated to prevent overheating

protective clothing