Cold weather presents a unique set of challenges for those who have to work outside, including our farmer producers. No matter how cold it gets, animals need feed and water, snow has to be moved and grain has to be shipped. While most producers have ways of remaining productive during the winter months, it never hurts to remind ourselves of some important cold weather considerations.
As external temperatures drop ,our bodies use more of our energy supplies to keep our core warm. Get cold enough and eventually our bodies will shift blood flow away from our extremities. This process makes us vulnerable to cold related illnesses and injuries like hypothermia, frostbite, trench foot and chilblains. While an individual’s tolerance of cold temperatures will vary, everyone who works in cold conditions is vulnerable to its effects.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) risks factors that contribute to cold stress related illnesses and injuries include wetness, exhaustion, prior health conditions and poor physical conditioning. While we can never perfectly protect ourselves from the elements, the group Farm and Ranch eXtension in Safety and Health (FReSH) have provided some basic steps that we all should take when working in the cold.
• Dress in layers
• Have extra clothes available to change into
• Always protect your face and head
• Pay particular attention to your feet – they need to stay warm but should not sweat
• Wear appropriate gloves
If you or someone you are working with should experience a cold related illness or injury it is important to get some place warm and dry. It is not always advisable to warm areas of frostbite or other cold related damage and you should seek medical advice when dealing with such injuries. And if you find yourself in an emergency due to a cold related illness or injury, seek emergency medical help immediately.
Living and working in cold temperatures is a part of what makes us Midwesterners. But while it is a part of who we are, we have to remember to respect the effects that cold can have on us. I encourage those that are interested in more information on staying safe in the cold to read OSHA’s Cold Stress Guide and FReSH’s article Cold-Related Conditions and Agriculture.