How to stay safe while working in the cold

The winter months in Minnesota tend to feature cold temperatures, high winds, and a lot of snow and ice. Therefore, it’s important that you take precautions to minimize your risk of injury while working outdoors during this time of year.

Cover as much of your skin as possible

Exposed skin can become extremely cold within a few minutes of stepping outside. Therefore, it’s important to wear long pants, gloves, and other items that cover as much of your body as possible. It’s important to note that a significant amount of heat is lost through the head, so you make it a priority to wear something that covers as much of it as possible.

If you notice that your hands, feet, or other body parts feel numb or are changing colors, you may be experiencing frostbite or similar ailments. In such a scenario, be sure to head inside as quickly as possible to warm up. It may also be a good idea to change out any garments that are wet as they can significantly reduce your body temperature and create workplace safety issues.

Hot beverages can help keep you warm

Throughout your shift, be sure to drink coffee, tea, or other hot beverages to help keep your internal body temperature at a safe level. However, do not drink alcohol as it may cause you to feel warmer than you actually are. Ideally, your manager will make hot beverages easily accessible to you during your shift.

If you notice the signs of frostbite, hypothermia, or other conditions caused by a reduced body temperature, seek help immediately. In the event that you are injured at work because of working in cold weather conditions, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.