Working outside in the cold can create hazardous situations, including hypothermia, which occurs when the body’s core temperature drops below 95 F, according to Safety+Health magazine.
The primary symptom of mild hypothermia is uncontrolled shivering. Moderate to severe hypothermia symptoms include drowsiness, confusion, fumbling, loss of coordination and slurred speech, which can lead to unconsciousness or even death.
Safety+Health magazine offers the following tips to guide you if you believe your co-worker is experiencing hypothermia.
- Take the victim’s temperature. If it is 95 F or below, call 911 immediately or ask another co-worker to do so.
- Move the victim into a warm room or vehicle and have them drink a warm, nonalcoholic beverage if they are conscious.
- Remove any wet clothing and replace with dry clothing.
- Warm the center of the victim’s body first (head, neck and torso) with an electric blanket, layers of blankets or skin-to-skin contact.
- Do not assume an unconscious victim cannot be helped. Call 911 immediately and administer CPR while the victim is being warmed. The National Safety Council says: “Victims of hypothermia are often successfully resuscitated.”
- Do not rub or massage the victim’s skin.
For more information about cold stress, visit the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Winter Weather resources page.
