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38 PalletCentral • November-December 2022 palletcentral.com OSHA Weather is an issue all year long in the pallet industry. Protecting your workers in cold weather, too, is a hot topic. By Adele L. Abrams, Esq., ASP, CMSP Put the FREEZE on Workplace Cold Stress A fter the swampy summer of 2022, many people looked forward to the advent of winter and its cooler temperatures in many parts of the United States. While the "big chill" might be a relief in some ways, conditions can take a serious turn when workers must perform duties outdoors for extended periods during cold or inclement weather. Even indoor temperatures can pose a threat to worker health if they dip too low due to open doors in warehouse and loading areas or in unheated workplaces. While everyone complains about the weather, and no one can control it, employers will be held responsible by OSHA if workers become ill or die on the job as a result of cold overexposure. e National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) defines cold stress as a condition that occurs when the body can no longer maintain its normal temperature, which for most people is around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. e result of excessive cold exposure can be hypothermia, or serious injuries including trench foot and frostbite, permanent tissue damage, or even death. 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. While usually viewed as connected to winter weather, most hypothermia cases actually occur in the fall and spring – even temperatures in the 50s can even be dangerous when coupled with wind and rain.

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