November Toolbox Talks

WEEK 1

Getting Ready For Winter Work

Working outside in the winter can be a dirty job, but many of us have to do it. Are you ready for winter work?

Here are some reminders about dressing for the weather and staying strong, healthy and safe:

  • Two big concerns of working or simply spending time outdoors in cold weather are frostbite and hypothermia. Both can occur at much higher temperatures than many people realize. For example, exposed skin can start to freeze at just 28 degrees Fahrenheit (-2 degrees Celsius) and deep frostbite can cause blood clots and even gangrene. Hypothermia is a potentially fatal condition caused by loss of body temperature, even in winter conditions people might not consider particularly nasty. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, confusion, lightheadedness and profuse sweating. Without medical treatment the victim can lose consciousness and die. Between 1979 and 1995, an average of 723 Americans died each year as the result of hypothermia.
  • Wear the right gloves for the work you are doing. Gloves should have enough insulation to keep you warm and prevent frostbite, but be thin enough so you can feel what you are doing if you are manipulating controls or tools.
  • Dress in layers of light-weight clothing which keep you warmer than a single layer of heavy clothes. Wear a hat and you’ll stay much warmer when working in cold conditions. As much as half your body heat can go up in steam off the top of a bare head. Protect your ears from frostbite as well by wearing a hat that will cover your ears, or use ear muffs.
  • Check your winter wardrobe for entanglement hazards such as loose sleeves and dangling drawstrings.
  • Keep your safety eyewear from fogging up in the cold. Investigate anti-fog coatings and wipes to see if these products are appropriate for your eyewear. If you have to keep taking off your safety eyewear because it fogs up, it isn’t protecting you.
  • Look at the soles of your winter footwear. Your shoes or boots should have adequate tread to prevent slips and falls on wet or icy surfaces. For extremely slippery situations, you can attach clogs or cleats to your footwear. Slow down when walking across slippery surfaces and be especially careful on ladders, platforms and stairways.
  • Eat winter-weight meals. This does not mean a high fat diet, but one with enough calories and nutrients to give you the fuel you need.
  • Get plenty of rest. Working in the cold and even traveling to and from work in the winter takes lots of energy. Cold weather can strain your heart, even if you aren’t overexerting yourself.
  • Did you know that 70 per cent of deaths during snow or ice storms occur in vehicles? It pays to carry blankets or sleeping bags, matches, candles, a snow shovel and sandbags, a flashlight, and non-perishable food such as cereal bars, in case a winter storm sidelines you in your vehicle.

 

WEEK 2

Preventing Hypothermia

Winter is coming and the temperatures outside are starting to slide. Beside the general frustration of it all, there is a serious hazard associated with being outside in the winter – hypothermia.

Hypothermia is a lowering of the body’s core temperature, commonly caused by getting wet and chilled. As the body temperature drops, damage to the vital organs such as the brain can occur.

Hypothermia can be fatal, so it is important to avoid these conditions and get prompt medical help if it develops.

These are some symptoms of hypothermia: Chills, shivering, confusion, loss of co-ordination, inability to speak clearly and irrational behavior. The victim can lose consciousness, indicating a serious case of hypothermia.

The way to prevent hypothermia is to stay warm and dry:

  • Dress warmly but wear layers so you can take clothing on and off as conditions change. Too much clothing can make you sweaty, setting the stage for chills.
  • Keep your head covered because a significant amount of body heat can be lost from the head. If you need a hardhat liner for warmth in the winter, make sure it is approved for use with your hardhat so it does not interfere with protection.
  • The combination of wet and cold is particularly dangerous, so carry extra clothing including socks and gloves if there is any chance yours will get wet.
  • Falling into water can be quickly fatal in winter. Even in summer, hypothermia can occur after immersion in cold water.
  • Keep moving when you are outdoors in cold weather. Head for someplace warm and dry for your rest breaks.
  • Be aware of the symptoms of hypothermia and watch for them in yourself and your co-workers. If symptoms develop, get to a warm, and dry place right away. Call for medical help immediately if symptoms are serious.
  • Drinking alcohol can make you more susceptible to hypothermia, so avoid this when you are outdoors in the cold.
  • Beware of hypothermia during your recreational pursuits. Try not to get wet when you are out skiing, ice fishing or snowmobiling.

  

WEEK 3

Winter Road Safety Kit Checklist

Better to be safe than sorry when winter weather strikes. Have a Winter Road Safety Kit in your automobile.

The Highway Patrol and NOAA recommend the following:

  • Cell phone and automobile charger
  • Blankets / Sleeping bag
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • First-aid kit and any necessary medications
  • High-calorie, non-perishable food like granola bars, dried fruit, beef jerky, nuts (if canned, be sure to have a can opener)
  • Bottles of water
  • Extra clothing to keep dry
  • Jumper cables
  • Tow rope
  • Tool kit
  • Windshield scrapers and brush
  • Small shovel
  • Sharp knife
  • Bag of sand or kitty litter for traction
  • Tissue paper/paper towels
  • Empty tin can to melt snow for drinking water
  • Lighter/waterproof matches
  • Extra washer fluid
  • Help sign / brightly colored strip of cloth to tie to antenna or hang out of your window
  • Candles
  • Flares or roadway detectors
  • Road Maps

  

WEEK 4

Rules For Ladder Safety 

Four rules cover safe use of ladders. They are:

  • Pick the right ladder for the job you are going to do. 
  • Make sure the ladder is in good condition.
  • Set up the ladder correctly. 
  • Work safely on the ladder.

Let’s look at the last rule Work Safely On A Ladder

Work safely on a ladder:

  • When climbing or working on a ladder, maintain three-point contact. This means that two hands and one foot, or one hand and two feet should be in contact with the ladder at all times.
  • Keep centered on the ladder. Here’s a way to remember to do so – your belt buckle should remain between the two side rails at all times. Never lean away from the ladder because you can cause it to topple.
  • Do not carry tools or materials in your hands. Keep tools in a belt, or hoist objects up after you.
  • Do not stand on the top few rungs of any ladder.
  • Footwear should have clean soles made of a non-skid material. Leather is too slippery.
  • Never move a ladder while you are on it.
  • Move slowly and carefully on a ladder.
  • Do not work on a ladder if you are ill, overly tired or possibly under the influence of alcohol or any drug.
  • Stay off outdoor ladders during bad weather such as rain, wind or lightning.
  • Certain work situations may require the use of fall prevention equipment such as safety belts or harnesses. Be sure to use this equipment as directed and keep it in good condition.

SAFETY IS PRIORITY NUMBER 1!