Cold stress toolbox talk

What it is

Cold, wet or windy conditions that cool the body faster than it can warm itself, causing shivering, numbness and hypothermia.

Controls to check, most effective first

1. Schedule outdoor or cold-room work for the warmer parts of the day, and limit time spent in cold, wet conditions.
2. Provide heated shelters or warm break areas with warm drinks, and build regular warm-up breaks into the work.
3. Use windbreaks and keep workers dry, because wet clothing and wind cool the body much faster.
4. Train workers and supervisors to recognise shivering, numbness, clumsiness and confusion as early signs of hypothermia, and act on them.
5. Provide layered clothing, insulated gloves and headwear, and waterproof outer layers suited to the conditions.

Where it comes up on the job

Work steps from SafetyDocs templates that deal with cold stress:

• Check weather conditions & prepareCheck the weather and manage hot and cold conditionsFrom Brick Cleaning
• Working outdoorsProvide first aid for bites and stings and manage hot and cold conditionsFrom Gang Mower

Questions for the crew

1. Where could cold stress come up on this job today?
2. The most effective control is: “Schedule outdoor or cold-room work for the warmer parts of the day, and limit time spent in cold, wet conditions”. Can we do that here? If not, why not?
3. Which controls for cold stress are missing or not working on this site?
4. When would you stop work because of cold stress, and who would you tell?
5. How do we report a hazard, a near miss or an incident on this job?