Understanding and Preventing Cold Stress: A Guide for Workplace Safety

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2003 to 2019, exposure to environmental cold resulted in 2,770 serious injuries and illnesses (~163 per year). This highlights the enormous impact of cold stress on workplace safety and employee well-being, underscoring the need for proactive measures to mitigate these risks. Also as climate change and occurrences of extreme cold become even more prevalent, it is increasingly critical for employers to educate themselves on the science behind cold stress and its potential health consequences for employees.

The Physiology of Cold Stress

Our bodies are finely tuned machines designed to maintain a core temperature of around 98.6°F (37°C). When exposed to cold environments, a series of physiological responses kick in to generate heat and prevent internal body temperature from dropping. These responses include shivering, vasoconstriction and increased metabolic rate. While effective in the short term, prolonged exposure to cold can overwhelm the body’s ability to maintain its core temperature. This leads to a condition known as cold stress.

Cold Stress in the Workplace, Even Indoors!

While often associated with outdoor environments, cold stress can also be a significant concern within indoor workplaces. Examples include unheated or poorly heated workspaces such as cold storage facilities and areas with high ceilings where cold air tends to sink. Furthermore, employees working near open doors, windows or air conditioning vents can also be exposed to cold drafts.

Cold stress can lead to decreased productivity, increased errors and employee discomfort. Additionally, it can exacerbate existing musculoskeletal conditions like arthritis and increase the risk of slips, trips and falls.

The good news is that cold stress in indoor environments is largely preventable with proper precautions. Here are some key measures employers can take:

• • Proper Heating and Ventilation: Ensure adequate heating and ventilation in all work areas.
  • Regular Maintenance: Regularly inspect and maintain HVAC systems to ensure optimal performance.
  • Utilize Environment Monitoring: Implement environment monitoring solutions like Room Alert to proactively identify and mitigate cold stress risks.

Room Alert: A Powerful Tool for Cold Stress Prevention

Room Alert’s robust environment monitoring platform empowers businesses to proactively safeguard employee health and well-being by continuously monitoring and managing cold stress risks. Through continuous and accurate temperature monitoring in real-time, Room Alert hardware and software can:

• Detect Cold Spots: Identify areas within facilities experiencing unusually low temperatures.
• Trigger Early Warnings: Instantly alert designated personnel via custom push notifications in the mobile app, SMS text messages, email or more when temperatures fall below safe thresholds. This enables prompt action such as adjusting HVAC settings.
• Generate Comprehensive Reports: Collect historical temperature data to identify trends and patterns, allowing employers to proactively address potential cold stress hazards, demonstrate compliance with OSHA regulations and optimize energy consumption.

With proactive & advanced Room Alert, employers can gain valuable insights into their workplace environments and take proactive steps to ensure employee safety and well-being. By integrating Room Alert into your cold stress prevention strategy, businesses can create a safer and more productive workplace for all employees.

Call Us!

For more information about how to prevent cold stress in your facilities and organizations, call us at 401.628.1600.