{"id":196026,"date":"2024-01-03T21:31:47","date_gmt":"2024-01-03T21:31:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/test.kecheslaw.com\/?p=196026"},"modified":"2024-01-03T21:31:49","modified_gmt":"2024-01-03T21:31:49","slug":"keep-warm-and-stay-safe-your-outdoor-winter-worker-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.kecheslaw.com\/news\/learn\/keep-warm-and-stay-safe-your-outdoor-winter-worker-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"Keep Warm and Stay Safe: Your Outdoor Winter Worker Checklist\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Outdoor work doesn\u2019t stop because the temperature drops!  During the winter months, outdoor workers can keep doing their job at a high level if they know how and when to protect themselves from the environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read on to learn tips for outdoor workers to keep themselves safe during the winter \u2013 and share with the outdoor laborers in your life! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.<\/strong> Dress Warmly on the Job <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As temperatures fall, the risk of cold stress becomes a real concern for outdoor workers. Cold stress<\/a> is different depending on where you live and what temperatures your body is used to, but in general, cold stress occurs when the body is no longer able to warm itself. Types of cold stress include trench foot, frostbite, hypothermia and chilblains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To prevent the effects of cold stress, it\u2019s essential to wear proper clothing. Layering not only provides insulation but allows for easy adjustment to changing weather conditions. Waterproof options or water-absorbing materials<\/a> can help keep you dry, preventing heat loss through evaporation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another good rule to work by is that slowly getting more and more comfortable with the environment helps. When workers acclimatize<\/a> gradually to cold environments, they can enhance their tolerance and reduce the risk of cold stress. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2. Take Steps to Protect Your Feet <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Outdoor snow removal workers need to keep an eye on their feet. Special blood vessels<\/a> in your feet open to allow large amounts of blood to pass through them\u2014which makes your body heat quickly. In other words, keep your feet warm\u2014keep your body warm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outdoor workers need their feet in good shape to be able to properly perform their job, so keeping their feet dry and warm is very important. Prioritize insulated, waterproof footwear<\/a>. This not only protects against the cold but also guards against moisture, keeping feet dry and reducing the risk of frostbite. If your feet are colder than usual, it can affect your gait and cause problems for other parts of your body as you attempt to compensate for your aching feet! Cold feet can lead to frostbite<\/a> and in colder months there isn\u2019t much insulation coming from the ground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few other shoe details of note include their fit and traction. Poorly fitting shoes can lead to constriction that may impede circulation, while footwear with adequate traction minimizes the risk of slips and falls on icy surfaces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Prevent Hypothermia and Frostbite <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t take care of your feet, or any other part of your body for that matter, Frostbite and Hypothermia are the terrible consequences you could be facing. Hypothermia<\/a> is caused by long-term exposure to cold temperatures, when your body loses heat faster than it\u2019s produced. Frostbite<\/a> is caused by a part of the body freezing. The part of the body turns numb so if someone else points it out to you, it is important to take action. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outdoor workers need to prioritize wearing warm clothing and watching for any symptoms like shivering, confusion and slurred speech for hypothermia and red spots on the skin for frostbite. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Clear Your Snow Without the Risk<\/strong> <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s unenviable, but inevitable. Snow will fall, and someone has to clear it out of the way so cars can drive on roads, pedestrians can walk on sidewalks and businesses can use their parking lots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plow drivers are out in force whenever there is a snowstorm, and they need to be careful on the roads. There is a lot to remember when taking to the roads during a snow storm<\/a> or on icy roads when the roads are covered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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