Peel Health recommends the following steps to be taken to prevent cold injuries:
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General Recommendations
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- Establish both a policy and plan to deal
with potential consequences of extreme
temperatures and winter storms (e.g.
power outage, lack of transportation).
Have an emergency kit available.
- Reduce the amount of time staff spend
outdoors or consider postponing outdoor
work when the temperature is -25 degrees
Celsius or colder, with or without wind
chill. Some medical conditions may
increase sensitivity to cold.
- Educate staff on how to prevent, recognize
and treat cold injuries.
- Ensure that all staff have adequate winter
gear, including insulated coats and boots
(slip resistant/waterproof), hats, mittens
and neck warmers (adhering to Health and
Safety Guidelines in the workplace).
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- Ensure that workers have access to plenty
of warm beverages. Smoking and drinking
caffeinated beverages should be avoided
when working in cold environments.
- Schedule shorter periods of work outdoors
during cold temperatures.
- Ensure that all staff take regularly
scheduled breaks when needed in a
heated environment or provide an on-site
source of heat (adhering to Health and
Safety Guidelines in the workplace). A
vehicle is considered a heated
environment. A shed or a tent can add
protection against the wind.
- Establish a buddy system which allows
close observation of co-workers.
- Educate staff to take precautions to prevent
frostbite from contact with cold surfaces
(adhering to Health and Safety Guidelines
in the workplace).
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During a Cold Alert
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Follow the General Guidelines AND
- Give warm fluids and avoid caffeinated beverages to prevent dehydration
- Remember to dress in layers of warm clothing
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- Reduce time spent outdoors
- Use the buddy system to observe and track co-workers
- Keep Health and Safety guidelines updated
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