Cold Checklist (Taken from the "Tailgate Meetings that Work : A Guide to Effective Construction Safety Training" series)

• Check the box if the statement is true.
• Fill in the blanks where the appears.

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION [1509]

• The company has a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) that meets all Cal/OSHA requirements. It includes identification of hazards on the site involving exposure to cold, as well as regular inspections, accident investigation, and correction of hazardous conditions.
• Tasks which require exposure to cold have been identified.

Describe tasks on this job site involving exposure to cold: (a) Is work done outdoors in cold temperatures? Which jobs? How cold is it? Is cold a problem all day or part of the day? Are conditions also damp? How windy is it? __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

(b) is work done in cold and/or damp indoor areas? Which jobs? __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

(c) Does work require contact with cold and/or damp objects or materials? Which jobs? _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

TRAINING [1509]

• Workers have been trained to recognize the signs of frostbite (including changes in skin color or peeling skin).
• Workers know how to administer first aid for frostbite.
• Workers have been trained to recognize the signs of hypothermia (including uncontrolled shivering, slow/slurred speech, weak pulse, confusion, or drowsiness).
• Workers have been trained on precautions to take when working in the cold, and proper use of protective clothing and equipment.
• Workers understand the effect alcohol and drugs have on the risk of hypothermia.

WORK PRACTICES [1509]

• Temperature and wind are controlled as much as possible. Heaters, wind shields, and windbreaks are used where feasible.
  
• Workers in cold jobs are rotated when possible, so no one is exposed to cold too long.
• There are plenty of warm liquids (soup, broth, or tea) readily available on the site. Workers drink a quart an hour or more, depending on conditions and their level of exertion. (Dehydration occurs as readily in the cold as it does in the heat.)
• A warm shed, trailer, or van is provided so workers can take breaks and warm up. Sufficient breaks are taken.
• Where feasible, hair is cut and beards shaved or closely trimmed. (Ice can build up on them; they can hide signs of frostbite.)
• Skin contact with cold metal is prohibited.
• Workers periodically touch their extremities (fingers, toes, ears, nose tip, and cheeks) to detect numb or hard areas which might indicate frostbite.
• Workers use the “buddy system” to recognize signs of frostbite and hypothermia in each other.
• In extreme cold or high wind chill conditions, all skin is kept covered.
• First aid supplies and equipment are available.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING [1509]

• Workers wear layers of loose clothing.
• Clothing is kept dry. (Body heat is lost very quickly when clothing is wet.) Waterproof outer shells are not used if workers are sweating, to prevent soaking clothing inside.
• Workers wear full head coverings.
• Workers wear mittens or gloves. (Mittens are better in extremely cold temperatures. Machine controls may need to be modified.)
• In cold and wet conditions (snow, sleet, hail), workers wear waterproof boots. (Regular work boots and rubber overboots are OK.)

Tailgate Meetings That Work : Collection



Published in June, 1994 by: Labor Occupational Health Program, School of Public Health, 2515 Channing Way, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720. Phone: (510) 642-5507.

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