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Safety Tip of the Week delivered to your inbox each Monday by GrainnetSafety.com
December 26, 2022

 
Dressing for the Cold
Exposure to the cold can result in hypothermia and frostbite. Hypothermia is a
medical emergency that occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can generate it.

Normal body temperature is around 98.6 F (37 C).


Hypothermia occurs as your body temperature falls below 95 F (35 C). When your
body temperature drops, the heart, nervous system, and other organs can’t work normally.  Frostbite is an injury caused by the freezing of the skin and underlying tissue.


Dressing properly can help prevent hypothermia and frostbite. Dressing in layers
is essential. It’s important to wear enough layers to keep warm, but not overheat
or sweat excessively. Cotton is probably the worst fabric to wear for warmth.
Once it gets wet from rain, snow, or perspiration it extracts heat from the body.
This is especially true of cotton socks, t-shirts, and underwear.


When working outside in the cold apply the following four-layer system:

Base Layer – This is the layer next to the skin. It removes moisture from the skin and transfers it to the next layer. The base layer should be made of synthetic materials
such as long polypropylene underwear, tops, and socks. Avoid cotton!


Light Insulating Layer
– This layer involves clothing such as light fleece or thin wool sweaters.

Heavy Insulating Layer
– This layer requires a heavier fleece or wool sweater to trap heat.

Outer Layer
– This layer protects the body from weather conditions such as wind, rain, sleet, and wet snow.

Don’t forget your head, hands, and feet!

  • 30-50% of percent of body heat is lost through the head. Always wear an insulating hat. For added protection wear a ski mask or gaiter to protect the face.

  • Wear insulated water resistant gloves. A thin inner glove can be worn
    for maximum protection.

  • A two-layer sock system is recommended. A thin polypropylene sock
    worn under a wool sock allows moisture to wick from the feet.Wool will keep
    you warm even when it is wet.

  • Weather resistant insulated boots are best. Boots should be big enough
    to accommodate a two-layer sock system while allowing a little wiggle room.
    Tight fitting boots restrict circulation.

  • Remember, safety doesn’t have to be difficult, simple steps, such as
    implementing the four-layer clothing system, can prevent hypothermia
    and frostbite.
    Source: Joe Mlynek is president of Progressive Safety Services LLC, Gates Mills, OH: joe.mlynek@progressivesafety.us, and content creation expert for Safety Made Simple, Inc., Olathe, KS; joe@safetymadesimple.com
     
    Safety Tip of the Week is edited by Managing Editor Tucker Scharfenberg
    and published each Monday by Grain Journal, Decatur, IL

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