SAFE Work Manitoba warns that those working outside could be vulnerable to cold stress.
Cold stress is the body’s inability to control its internal temperature and can be very dangerous, resulting in serious illness or death.
In extreme cold, it’s possible to get frostbite, cold stress, or hypothermia.
To prevent cold stress, wear layers of warm clothes, take breaks in heated shelters, stay hydrated with warm, sweet drinks, and keep moving while avoiding perspiration.
If someone you work with is suffering from cold stress SAFE Work Manitoba recommends moving the worker to a warm area and encouraging continuous body movement.
Replace wet clothes with dry clothes or blankets, and provide warm, not hot, sweet drinks.
If you think someone is experiencing hypothermia or extreme frostbite, call 911 immediately.
