Cold Stress - Health Concerns

The most common health concerns associated with cold stress are as follows:

• Hypothermia - This occurs when body heat is lost faster than it can be replaced, and the worker's temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Hypothermia is more likely to occur when a worker is chilled from being wet and, in these cases, may even occur at temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Frostbite - This is an injury that results when the skin and underlying tissues freeze. It typically occurs in the body extremities, such as the feet and hands. Lower temperatures cause frostbite to occur more quickly.
• Trench foot or immersion foot - This injury results from prolonged exposure to wet and cold conditions. Wet feet lose heat 25 times faster than dry feet. In an attempt to conserve heat, the body shuts down circulation in the feet. A lack of oxygen and nutrients and a buildup of toxins cause the skin tissue to die.

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