Cold Stress, Illness & Injury Safety

Online Training Certification Course

From the highest rated and most trusted online training company - since 2008.

This cold safety course is designed to help you understand the risks of working in extreme cold conditions. It describes how the body regulates temperatures and reviews best practices for developing a preventative cold stress program. Cold injury safety training also highlights first aid measures to treat cold-related illnesses and injuries and the importance of utilizing appropriate cold-weather gear.

Personnel who work in cold environments, whether outside or indoors, may be at risk of cold stress. Exposure to environmental cold stress can lead to severe injuries, illnesses, or fatalities. OSHA cold stress training helps workers understand the cold-related risk they face, how it can affect their health, and the preventative measures to work safely.

Cold stress occurs when the body cannot maintain its normal temperature. When an individual is exposed to cold conditions for long periods of time, their body uses most of its stored energy to maintain its internal temperature. Once the body can no longer sustain a normal temperature, blood flow shifts from the extremities (such as feet, legs, hands, and arms) to the core (such as the chest and abdomen).

This course is for:
This cold weather injury safety training was designed for any worker that is in a job role that exposes them to cold environments for extended periods of time. The hazards presented by extreme cold can occur when workers are performing tasks outdoors in cold climates or indoors in artificial cold environments, such as cold storage rooms, refrigerated warehouses, and freezers. This cold safety class will familiarize you with the factors that contribute to cold stress, such as low air temperature, dampness, high wind speeds, and dampness. This helps personnel and employers be aware of best practices when working in a cold environment.

Case Study: In 2013, an employee was working as a freezer order selector at a food warehouse when he experienced frostbite. The temperature inside the warehouse was around -10°F. During his work shift, he suffered frostbite to his ring and middle fingers of both hands. He was admitted to a hospital where they attempted to save his fingers, but all four fingers had to be amputated to the first knuckle.

Key Takeaway: Employees should wear appropriate clothing when working in cold environments. This includes wearing gloves to protect the hands and fingers. In addition, employees should report any discomfort or concerns about their health and safety.

Available languages: 100+ languages - translation provided by Google Translate (Select Language bottom of page)

Governing Regulations: OSHA does not have a specific standard for working in cold environments. However, Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act states that employers must provide their employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. This includes cold temperature-related hazards.

What You'll Learn

Introduction to Cold Stress Safety

Key Terms
Cold Weather Injury Statistics
Indoor Cold Work
How the Body Maintains Internal Temperature
How the Body Reacts to Cold Conditions

Cold Stress

Contributing Factors
Wind Chill
High-Risk Jobs
Cold Stress Effects on Work Performance
Additional Risk Factors
Applicable Regulations
Employer Responsibilities
Employee Responsibilities

Cold Stress Illnesses and Injuries

Hypothermia
Stages of Hypothermia
Mild Hypothermia
Moderate Hypothermia
Severe Hypothermia
Hypothermia First Aid Treatment
Medical Treatment
Frostbite
Frostnip
Mild Frostbite
Severe Frostbite
Frostbite First Aid
Trench Foot (Immersion Foot)
Trench Foot First Aid
Chilblains
Chilblains First Aid
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Snow Removal Injuries

Preventive Measures

Planning
Engineering Controls
Work Practice Controls
Work Shifts
Personal Protective Equipment
Cold Temperature Clothing for the Body and Head
Wet Clothing
Cold Temperature Clothing for the Hands and Feet
Cold Temperature Eye Protection
Emergency Response
Emergency Kit

Summary

Additional Resources

Exam

It will take a MINIMUM of 2 hours to complete this online course. The student may log on and off as needed. A bookmark will be set so when they log back in they will return to where they left off.

We have no restrictions on how long a person takes to complete a course. Likewise, if you are purchasing for others, we have no time limit on assigning courses, so you can purchase a larger quantity than you currently need and take advantage of volume discounts.

Employers are responsible for training new personnel before assigning them to tasks that may expose them to cold stress safety related hazards. Annual safety training ensures that employees understand the components of cold weather stress safety. This OSHA cold weather safety training meets these requirements.

Each student will receive 0.2 CEUs (or 2 CMEs) from Compliance Training Online® for completing this course.