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PalletCentral • November-December 2022 39 Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature drops too low, and symptoms include fatigue, confusion, disorientation, excessive shivering, and loss of coordination. It can occur even at temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit if the person is also chilled from rain, sweat or cold water. Obviously, as hypothermia symptoms occur, it adversely impacts the worker's ability to perform duties safely. At the later stage, hypothermia causes the skin to turn blue, pupils will dilate, pulse and breathing slows down, and the worker eventually loses consciousness and this leads to coma and death. It is critical to call 911 immediately, move the worker to a warm and dry place and remove wet clothing, and wrap the person in blankets. If help is more than 30 minutes away and the person is conscious, they can receive warm sweetened drinks (but not alcohol or caffeine) to raise their body temperature and use heat packs while awaiting help. Frostbite occurs during extended cold exposure when ice forms in skin cells, blocking blood flow and this deprives body tissue of oxygen. First, the extremities may grow numb, or the worker may experience "pins and needles," but as it progresses, frostbite manifests with blotchy or blue skin, and blisters or blackened skin may appear. Left to progress, frostbite often requires amputation of damaged tissue such as fingers, toes, hands and feet. is also requires contacting emergency medical services and moving the person to a warm and dry area until they arrive. For frostbite, heating pads should NOT be applied, nor should the area be rewarmed without professional medical care. e third potential cold stress complication is trench foot, caused by immersion in cold water or mud for extended periods. is can occur when temperatures are as high as 60 degrees because wet feet lose heat 25 times faster than dry feet. When this occurs, skin tissue dies and – as with frostbite – can lead to amputation. For this condition, remove wet shoes or boots and dry the feet. Normally this can be treated as a non-emergency situation, unlike hypothermia and frostbite. Risks of cold impact both outdoor and indoor workers, depending on the nature of the job assignment. Indoors, workers involved with cold storage, refrigerated warehouses, or frozen ICE: iStock.com/ValentynVolkov; BOOT: jdarte; SNOWFLAKES: iStock.com/lyubovyaya; SNOW PALLET: iStock.com/NiklasEmmoth Cold stress is a preventable danger, so it is important for employers to educate workers and supervisors, and monitor those who are new, or returning from leave or vacations, as they will need time to be acclimatized to conditions. 2007

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