Cold Stress Training

For employees who work outdoors, exposure to low temperatures creates safety risks that go far beyond simple discomfort. Without proper preparation, prolonged exposure to cold environments—and the accompanying wind chill—can lead to cold stress, a state where the body can no longer maintain its core temperature. This course provides a comprehensive guide to understanding how the body reacts to cold, identifying the dangerous physiological changes associated with dropping internal temperatures, and implementing the necessary protocols to prevent permanent injury or death.

• Understanding Cold Stress: An overview of how the body attempts to maintain heat through vasoconstriction and shivering, and the critical factors that contribute to cold stress, including wind chill, wet conditions, and lack of acclimatization.
• Identifying Conditions: A detailed breakdown of the symptoms and severity levels for common cold-related illnesses, including chilblains, trench foot, frostbite (stages 1 through 3), and hypothermia.
• Emergency Response and Treatment: Step-by-step first aid procedures for each specific condition, including rewarming techniques, what to avoid (such as rubbing frostbitten skin), and when to call 911.
• Proper Layering and PPE: Guidance on selecting the right fabrics (wool, silk, synthetics) for a three-layer clothing system, as well as the importance of protecting the head, hands, and feet.
• Prevention Strategies: Best practices for staying safe on the job, such as using the buddy system, hydration with warm sweetened drinks, gradual acclimatization for new workers, and utilizing engineering controls like radiant heaters and wind shields.

By the end of the course you will have learned:

• How to define cold stress and explain how wind speed impacts the actual effect of cold on exposed skin.
• To recognize the early warning signs and progressive symptoms of chilblains, trench foot, frostbite, and hypothermia.
• The appropriate immediate actions to take when a coworker exhibits signs of cold stress, including specific “do’s and don’ts” for rewarming.
• How to effectively layer clothing to maintain insulation and circulation while allowing for ventilation.
• To apply safe work practices and utilize engineering controls to minimize the risk of cold-related injuries in the workplace.