Potential Injury and Illness in Winter Weather

Those who work outdoors, such as those working in construction, should be aware of the different kinds of injuries or illnesses that you can get from the cold temperatures as well as exposure to snow and ice.

Hypothermia is a big concern when construction crews are working outside in frigid temperatures. This is especially true when the wild chill is factored in. Hypothermia happens when your body temperature drops too low then you are not able to raise it back up on your own.

Body temperature plays an integral role in the functioning of your bodily organs. If your body is too cold, then your heart cannot pump, you will have difficulty breathing, and you will experience organ failure.

If anyone is showing any symptoms of hypothermia, you should see that they get immediate medical care by calling 911.

Here are some of the symptoms of frostbite:

• Memory loss
• Shivering
• Instability when standing
• Slurred speech
• Confusion
• Extreme tiredness

Frostbite is also a common problem. When a body part is exposed to frigid temperatures for extensive timeframes, frostbite can develop. Frostbite can also happen when you wear clothing that is wet when it is very cold. The dampness could be from water, sweat, or other substances.

Frostbite damages tissue in a certain area, such as the toes, fingers, or nose, and cuts off the blood flow. Some of the signs that an individual should be aware of include:

• Blisters when warming up
• Prickling feeling
• Numbness
• Extremely cold skin
• Blue or white coloring to the skin
• Extremely cold skin