Working in Heat / Cold Extremes

Collage of pictures showing people working in various temperature extremes

WORKING IN EXTREME HEAT

Workers are often employed in environments, both inside and outside, that may involve exposures to both cold and heat. Understanding the health risks associated with workers in temperature extremes can help employers prepare and protect their workers. From heat stress (including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke) to cold stress (including frost bite, trench foot, chilblains, and hypothermia), workplaces don’t need to have “extreme” temperatures, as many may expect, to have adverse health consequences. For instance, while sun burn is thought to be a hot weather risk, sun burns can happen any time of year.

HEAT STRESS

Heat stress occurs when the body cannot get rid of excess heat, resulting in the heart rate and core body temperature increasing. There is no single maximum safe temperature. Factors that impact the level of heat stress include air temperature, high relative humidity, radiant heat load (e.g., heat from the sun), direct contact with hot objects, and physical workload. Individuals can reduce their risks to heat stress by following adequate work and rest schedules, with rest ideally in shaded and cooled areas, along with access to cool water.

Types of heat stress:

Heat rash: red clusters of pimples or small blisters. Treatment includes keeping the rash dry and moving the worker to a less hot, less humid area.
Heat cramps: painful muscle cramps during or after exercise or sweating in high heat. Treatment includes removing the individual away from the heatsource and giving water or an electrolyte sports drink every 15 minutes.
Heat syncope: sudden loss of consciousness (fainting) or dizziness when standing for a long time in a hot environment or when suddenly standing after sitting for too long. Treatment includes moving the worker to a cool area, and laying them down while encouraging them to have water or an electrolyte sports drink. Medical evaluation is advised to rule out the possibilities of heat stroke or other medical conditions.
Heat exhaustion: common symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, decreased urine output, elevated body temperature, and heavy sweating. Caused by a loss in the body’s ability to cool down by sweating as a result of dehydration. Heat exhaustion can rapidly lead to heat stroke if left untreated. Remove from heat, give liquids, and get medical evaluation.
Heat stroke: symptoms include confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures. Can occur with or without heavy sweating. Move the worker to a cool, shaded area, and follow medical advice while awaiting transportation to hospital. Incidents of suspected heat stroke should always be treated as a medical emergency.

The following resources from OHCOW and our Partners provide a wealth of information on heat stress:

Tools and Resources

Heat Stress and Sun Safety for Employers Hiring Migrant Farm Workers

OHCOW’s Humidex-Based Heat Stress Calculator and Plan

Humidex-Based Heat Response Plan

Heat Stress Awareness Tool

Hot / Humid Conditions Poster

OHSCO (Occupational Health and Safety Council of Ontario)’sHeat Stress Awareness Toolkit:

Heat Stress Awareness Guide

Heat Stress Awareness Poster and in French

Heat Stress Awareness Tool and in French

WORKING OUTDOORS

SUN SAFETY

When working outdoors, sunburn is also possible. Sunburns are often thought to occur on hot and sunny days, but sunburns can occur on any given day. Any part of the body that is exposed to the sun can burn, even in winter. Even if the area is covered, if the clothing has a loose weave that lets UV light through, the individual can experience sunburns. Since the sun can get through the clouds on overcast days, sunburns also can occur on days not considered to be “sunny”.

Sunburn symptoms like inflamed skin and skin peeling emerge a few hours after being exposed. If the skin blisters in response to a burn or there is severe swelling, seek medical attention. Refer to Sun Safety.

WORKING IN EXTREME COLD

COLD STRESS AND ERGONOMICS OF WORKING IN COLD

Cold stress occurs when in extreme cold or work in cold environments. Risk of cold stress is based on three factors: air temperature, air movement (wind), and dampness (relative humidity). Workers should ideally wear clothing in layers so they can be added or removed when environmental conditions change or when their physical activity levels change. Sweating inside thick layers of clothing can increase the risk of cold stress. Strategically-planned work / rest schedules, with rest ideally in warmed areas protected from wind are important to reducing the risk of cold stress. Frequently drinking warm fluids can also help, but they ideally should not be caffeinated drinks which are diuretics (diuretics increase urine production and increase risk of dehydration).

Types of cold stress:

Chilblains: red or purple patches of skin, usually on fingers, toes, cheeks, or ears. Patches are itchy, and can become swollen. Treatment includes slowly warming the skin, avoiding scratching, and seeking medical care for prescriptions to relieve itching and swelling.
Trench foot (or immersion foot): reddening, leg cramps, swelling, tingling pain, may become gangrenous. This is a foot injury from prolonged exposure to cold and wet or moist conditions. Treatment includes removing wet socks, drying feet, and seeking medical care.
Frost bite: numbness, tingling, stinging or aching fingers, toes, nose, cheeks, or any exposed body part. Skin may be pale or bluish, waxy if severe, caused by reduced blood flow to these areas. Mild frostbite can be treated by getting to warm room, immersing in warm (not hot) water. Do not rub areas, and do not walk if toes are impacted. If severe, may need medical care.
Hypothermia is when the body loses heat faster than it can be produced.
- Early symptoms: shiver, tingling, possibly loss of coordination, progressing to confusion
Severe symptoms: shivering stops, blue skin, slowed pulse and breathing. These symptoms are a medical

Tools and Resources

Cold Stress Calculator

Working in the Cold

The Ergonomics of Snow Removal

Are you ready for winter: question & answer

Are you ready for winter: Working in the Cold & Ergonomics of Snow Removal (slides)