Safety Committee Newsletter
Haverford Township Safety Committee
Winter Worker Safety
What workers are at increased risk of injury during winter storms?
While most workers can stay inside during a winter storm, some workers may be required to go out into the storm. These may include utility workers, law enforcement, personnel, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, federal, state and local government personnel, highway personnel and sanitation workers.
What kinds of injuries are associated with winter storms?
- Driving accidents due to slippery roadways
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Slips and falls due to slippery walkways
- Hypothermia and frostbite due to cold weather exposure
- Being struck by falling objects such as icicles, tree limbs and utility poles
- Electrocution due to downed power lines or downed objects in contact with power lines
- Falls from heights, e.g., falls from roofs while removing snow
- Roof collapse under weight of snow
- Exhaustion from working extended shifts
- Dehydration
- Back injuries or heart attacks
What is frostbite?
Frostbite is a severe reaction to cold exposure that causes freezing in the deep layers of skin and tissue. Frostbite can cause permanent damage. It is recognizable by a loss of feeling and a waxy-white or pale appearance in fingers, toes, nose, or ear lobes.
What is hypothermia?
Hypothermia occurs when body temperature drops to less than 95 degrees. Symptoms of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, slow speech, memory lapses, frequent stumbling ,drowsiness and exhaustion.
- Learn the signs and symptoms of cold induced illness and injuries.
- Select proper clothing for cold, wet, and windy conditions.
- Layer clothing to adjust to changing environmental temperatures. Wear a hat and gloves in addition to underwear that will keep water away from skin (polypropylene).
- Take frequent short breaks in warm dry shelters to allow the body to warm up .
- Perform work during the warmest part of the day.
- Avoid exhaustion of fatigue because energy is needed to keep muscles warm.
- Use buddy system (work in pairs).
How do you treat a person with frostbite or hypothermia?
If frostbite or hypothermia is suspected, begin warming the person slowly and seek immediate medical assistance. Warm the person's trunk first. Use your own body heat to help. Arms and legs should be warmed last because stimulation of the limbs can drive cold blood toward the heart and lead to heart failure. Put person in dry clothing and wrap the entire body in a blanket. Never give a frostbite or hypothermia victim something with caffeine in it (like coffee or tea). Caffeine, a stimulant, can cause the heart to beat faster and hasten the effects the cold has on the body.
Indoor Safety -- Heat your Home safely
If you plan to use a wood stove, fireplace or space heater, be extremely careful. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- Use fireplace, wood stoves, or other combustion heaters only if they are properly vented to the outside.
- Do not burn paper in a fireplace.
- Ensure adequate ventilation if you use a kerosene heater.
- Do not place a space heater within 3 feet of anything that may catch on fire, such as drapes or furniture .
- Do not use extension cords to plug in your space heater.
- Store a multipurpose, dry -chemical fire extinguisher near the area to be heated.
- Have your heating system check yearly.
- Have a professional chimney sweep inspect chimneys annually for cracks, blockages and leaks and have them cleaned and repaired as needed.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning - Each year, more than 200 Americans die from carbon monoxide poisoning. (CO is produced by fuel-burning motor vehicles, appliances, and heating systems.) In addition, several thousands individuals are treated in emergency departments for CO poisoning. The risk of CO poisoning increases during the winter, as more people run furnaces and space heaters and use fireplaces. Deaths from CO poisoning also occur when people sit in idling vehicles with the doors and windows closed. In January 1996, 22 people in
Winter Driving Safety Tips - Inspect your vehicle to ensure the following systems are operating properly:
- Brakes: Brakes should provide even and balanced braking. Also check that brake fluid is at the proper level.
- Cooling System: Ensure a proper mixture of 50/50 antifreeze and water in the cooling system at the proper level.
- Electrical System: Check that battery is fully charged and that connections are clean.
- Engine: Inspect all engine systems.
- Exhaust System: Check exhaust for leaks and that all clamps and hangers are snug.
- Tires: Check for proper tread depth and no signs of damage or uneven wear. Check for proper tire inflation.
- Oil: Check that oil is at proper level.
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