X

Search for Knowledge!

Sort by Category

Categories

Sort by Date

«July 2025»
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
293012345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
272829303112
3456789

Latest Knowledge

Latest Knowledge

  • All
  • Mishap Reporting & Investigation
  • On-Duty
  • Aviation
  • Military Ops & Training
  • Government Vehicle
  • Workplace
  • DA Civilian
  • Explosives & Weapons
  • Off-Duty
  • Automobiles
  • Motorcycles
  • Recreational & Specialty Vehicle
  • Sports & Recreation
  • Privately Owned Weapons
  • Home & Family
    More
    When Cutting Corners Becomes the Norm 0 Workplace
    USACRC Editor

    When Cutting Corners Becomes the Norm

    The true danger of normalizing deviance lies in its subtlety. Initially, deviations might seem minor and inconsequential. Examples include skipping a procedural step due to a time crunch, deferring a minor maintenance procedure because...
    Staying in the Fight 0 Military Ops & Training
    USACRC Editor

    Staying in the Fight

    Combatives training is an important part of being a prepared Soldier. It provides the skills to help you protect yourself, as well as your battle buddies, in combat. Unfortunately, this training can sometimes take Soldiers out of the fight if...
    DITY Dumb or DITY Do? 0 Automobiles
    USACRC Editor

    DITY Dumb or DITY Do?

    Just like long checkout lines at the commissary on payday, the permanent change of station (PCS) move is a certainty for service members and their families. While many would prefer to let professionals handle the heavy lifting on Uncle...
    Light Up the Night Safely 0 Home & Family
    USACRC Editor

    Light Up the Night Safely

    Unfortunately, a lot of folks don’t take the major hazards related to fireworks seriously. Some people enjoy igniting firecrackers or cherry bombs and holding them in their hand as long as possible before throwing them — sometimes at...

    No content

    A problem occurred while loading content.

    Previous Next

    Plan, Equip and Train

    Plan, Equip and Train

     

    OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

    www.osha.gov

    Outdoor work requires proper preparation, especially in severe winter weather conditions. Although the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not have a specific standard that covers working in cold environments, employers have a responsibility to provide workers with a place of employment that is free from recognized hazards, including winter weather-related hazards, which are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to them (Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970).

    Employers should, therefore, train workers on the hazards of the job and safety measures to use, such as engineering controls and safe work practices, that will protect their safety and health.

     

    Training

    At a minimum, employers should train workers on:

    • Cold stress:
      1. How to recognize the symptoms of cold stress, prevent cold stress injuries and illnesses.
      2. The importance of self-monitoring and monitoring co-workers for symptoms.
      3. First aid and how to call for additional medical assistance in an emergency.
      4. How to select proper clothing for cold, wet and windy conditions.
    • Other winter weather-related hazards workers may be exposed to (such as slippery roads and surfaces, windy conditions and downed power lines):
      1. How to recognize these hazards.
      2. How workers will be protected: engineering controls, safe work practices and proper selection of equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE).

    Engineering controls

    Employers should provide engineering controls, which can be effective in reducing the risk of cold stress. For example, radiant heaters may be used to warm workplaces like outdoor security stations. If possible, employers should shield work areas from drafts or wind to reduce wind chill. Employers should use engineering controls to protect workers from other winter weather-related hazards. For example, aerial lifts or ladders can be used for safely applying deicing materials to roofs to protect workers from the hazard of falling through skylights.

    Implementing safe work

    Safe work practices employers can implement to protect workers from injuries, illnesses and fatalities include:

    • Providing workers with the proper tools and equipment to do their jobs.
    • Developing work plans that identify potential hazards and the safety measures that will be used to protect workers.
    • Scheduling maintenance and repair jobs for warmer months.
    • Scheduling jobs that expose workers to the cold weather in the warmer part of the day.
    • Avoiding exposure to extremely cold temperatures when possible.
    • Limiting the amount of time spent outdoors on extremely cold days.
    • Using relief workers to assign extra workers for long, demanding jobs.
    • Providing warm areas for use during break periods.
    • Providing warm liquids (no alcohol) to workers.
    • Monitoring workers who are at risk of cold stress.
    • Monitoring the weather conditions during a winter storm, having a reliable means of communicating with workers and being able to stop work or evacuate when necessary.
    • Acclimatizing new workers and those returning after time away from work by gradually increasing their workload and allowing more frequent breaks in warm areas as they build up a tolerance for working in the cold environment.
    • Having a means of communicating with workers, especially in remote areas.
    • Knowing how the community warns the public about severe weather: outdoor sirens, radio and television. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides multiple ways to stay informed about winter storms. If you are notified of a winter storm watch, advisory or warning, follow instructions from your local authorities.

    Warm, protective clothing

    Employers must provide PPE, such as fall protection, when required by OSHA standards to protect workers' safety and health. However, in limited cases specified in the standard (29 CFR 1910.132), there are exceptions to the requirement for employers to provide PPE to workers. For instance, there is no OSHA requirement for employers to provide workers with ordinary clothing, skin creams or other items used solely for protection from weather such as winter coats, jackets, gloves, parkas, rubber boots, hats, raincoats, ordinary sunglasses and sunscreen (29 CFR 1910.132(h)(4)). Regardless, many employers provide their workers with winter-weather gear such as winter coats/jackets and gloves. Learn more about PPE requirements and how to design an effective PPE program on OSHA’s safety and health topics page at https://www.osha.gov/topics.

    Dressing properly for the cold

    Dressing properly is extremely important to preventing cold stress. When cold environments or temperatures cannot be avoided, the following would help protect workers from cold stress:

    • Wear at least three layers of loose-fitting clothing. Layering provides better insulation.
      1. An inner layer of wool, silk or synthetic (polypropylene) to keep moisture away from the body. Thermal wear, wool, silk or polypropylene inner layers of clothing will hold more body heat than cotton.
      2. A middle layer of wool or synthetic to provide insulation even when wet.
      3. An outer wind- and rain-protection layer that allows some ventilation to prevent overheating.
    • Tight clothing reduces blood circulation. Warm blood needs to be circulated to the extremities.
    • Insulated coat/jacket (water resistant, if necessary).
    • Knit mask to cover face and mouth (if needed).
    • Hat that will cover your ears as well. A hat will help keep your whole body warmer. Hats reduce the amount of body heat that escapes from your head.
    • Insulated gloves (water resistant, if necessary) to protect the hands.
    • Insulated and waterproof boots to protect the feet

    Safety tips for workers

    • Your employer should ensure you know the symptoms of cold stress.
    • Monitor your physical condition and that of your co-workers.
    • Dress appropriately for the cold.
    • Stay dry in the cold because moisture or dampness (e.g., from sweating) can increase the rate of heat loss from the body.
    • Keep extra clothing (including underwear) handy in case you get wet and need to change.
    • Drink warm, sweetened fluids (no alcohol).
    • Use proper engineering controls, safe work practices and PPE provided by your employer.
    • 22 January 2023
    • Author: USACRC Editor
    • Number of views: 380
    • Comments: 0
    Categories: On-DutyWorkplace
    Tags:
    Print