The November issue of Safety in Mind, the UWindsor health and safety newsletter, focuses on the issue of cold stress.

“Working in extremely cold temperatures can cause stress on our body’s heating system,” says the lead article. “When cold is combined with other factors such as dehydration, strenuous physical work, fatigue or certain medical conditions, serious cold-related injuries such as frostbite or hypothermia may occur.”

The publication lists risk factors for cold-related injury as well as the symptoms and treatment of frostbite and hypothermia.

It offers these tips to prevent health effects from exposure:

• Pace your work to prevent sweating, but ensure you are continuously movingSeek frequent breaks in warm shelter areas.
• Change wet clothes frequently.
• Wear multiple layers of clothing, including an inner cotton layer to draw moisture away from skin.
• Wear warm gloves, socks, and boots.
• Wear a warm hat and/or hood. A balaclava will provide further face protection.
• Drink warm beverages and eat properly to prevent dehydration.

Safety in Mind is distributed online but formatted for printing and posting in work areas and on bulletin boards. Read the entire newsletter at www.uwindsor.ca/safety/safetytalks.