Winter safety advice for outdoor workers in Northern Ontario
Winter is a good time to avoid cotton and goose-down, according to Workplace Safety Northern Ontario (WSN). North Bay and Sudbury are the offices of the WSN, a provincial health and safety agency.
An advisory issued by the agency recently suggested outdoor workers in Northern Ontario should be aware of some safety precautions ahead of time.
Workplace Safety North’s Lindsay Digby outlined a few ways we can keep ourselves and those who work outdoors safe from the long-term consequences of cold injury.
“Keeping warm and dry during outdoor work is not the only thing you need to do to prevent hypothermia, but also eating properly, staying active, and keeping an eye on each other.”
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The advisory notes that every year, workers new to their jobs and new to northern Ontario would benefit from a cold-weather outfit.
Digby recommended stressing these simple points to newcomers to the region if they are not used to colder weather.
A winter clothing checklist is the only resource a worker needs to stay warm while working outdoors, since heaters and warming huts may not be available.
Dress in loose-fitting layers that trap heat easily and allow you to adjust clothing as your day progresses. During the day, you will sweat if you are overdressed.
Those who are active can easily sweat if they are active. It is at this point that cotton and goose down become a concern.
Winter is not the time to wear cotton, according to the advisory. During rain, snow, or sweat, cotton will begin to absorb heat.
Cotton socks, underwear, and cotton T-shirts next to the skin are particularly susceptible, noted the advisory. Make sure you wear garments that wick moisture away from your skin.
While goose down provides excellent insulation when dry, it slowly loses its insulating capacity when wet, so it’s best avoided during the winter.
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When working in the cold, Digby also recommended having a buddy system and watching out for other workers. Those in your group who complain of being cold or shivering may have mild hypothermia.
The best way to treat hypothermia at this stage is to drink hot drinks, eat warm foods, stay active, and change out damp clothing. Heat can be added by drinking hot drinks or eating hot meals.
You can also keep your body warm by wearing an extra layer and wearing a hat or balaclava.” Click here to read the full WSN advisory.
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