Question

We are a manufacturer and many of our warehouse and shipping employees work outdoors or are exposed to the elements at our loading dock. The open dock area also subjects other employees to cold temperatures. Can you direct us to resources to help us comply with laws related to cold weather exposure on the job?

Answer

This is a good time to look ahead to the winter months and prepare your workforce for cold conditions, both indoors and outdoors. We update and share resources with our members each year to help keep employees safe during cold weather.

Under Massachusetts law, adequate heat must be provided from October 15 through May 15 (see M.G.L. c149 § 113). While Massachusetts hasn’t issued regulations under this law, it has published guidance specifying the minimum temperature that must be maintained at each type of workplace. Below are the minimum temperatures required:

• Factories 60 – 62 ^o
• Foundries 50 – 60 ^o
• Machine Shops 60 – 62 ^o
• Offices 66 – 68 ^o
• Public Buildings 60 – 68 ^o
• Restaurants 62 – 66 ^o
• Schools 66 – 68 ^o
• Stores 65 ^o
• Theaters 62 – 65 ^o

Minimizing the Risks: Training and Safe Work Practices

To minimize the risks of the cold and the winter, employers should consider the following:

Train Your Workers

Just as workers can suffer from too much heat in the summer, winter can bring on cold stress, especially if your business involves outdoor work or exposure to the cold (e.g., loading docks, construction, and driving). To minimize risk, train your workers to recognize:

• symptoms of cold stress, and how to prevent cold stress injuries and illnesses;
• the importance of self-monitoring and monitoring coworkers for symptoms;
• the need for first aid and how to call for additional medical assistance in an emergency;
• how to select proper clothing for cold, wet, and windy conditions

Detailed information on cold stress and how to cope with it is available from OSHA’s website.

Adopt Safe Work Practices

Depending on your business, these may include:

• Establishing a buddy system so that one worker can recognize danger signs a coworker may be experiencing and call for help.
• Monitoring workers who are at risk of cold stress.
• Developing work plans that identify potential hazards and safety measures to protect workers.
• Scheduling maintenance and repair jobs for warmer months.
• Scheduling jobs that expose workers to the cold weather in the warmer part of the day.
• Avoiding exposure to extremely cold temperatures when possible.
• Limiting the amount of time spent outdoors on extremely cold days.
• Using relief workers to assign extra workers for long, demanding jobs.
• Providing warm areas for use during break periods.
• Providing warm liquids to workers such as sweet beverages (sugar water, sports-type drinks) and avoiding drinks with caffeine (coffee, tea, sodas or hot chocolate) or alcohol.
• Eating warm, high-calorie foods such as hot pasta dishes.
• Monitoring the weather conditions during a winter storm, having a reliable means of communicating with workers, and being able to stop work or evacuate when necessary.
• Gradually acclimatizing new and returning workers by slowly increasing their workload and allowing more frequent breaks in warm areas, as they get accustomed to working in the cold.
• Having an effective means of communicating with workers, especially in remote areas.
• Knowing how the community warns the public about severe weather, e.g. texting, outdoor sirens, radio, and television.
• Training workers to recognize cold-induced illnesses and injuries.
• Encouraging workers to wear proper clothing for cold, wet and windy conditions, including layers that can be adjusted to changing conditions.
• Avoiding exhaustion or fatigue because energy is needed to keep muscles warm.

Remember, workers face increased risks when they take certain medications, are in poor physical condition or suffer from illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension or cardiovascular disease.

Every workplace is different and will present unique and specific situations that employees may have to face.  Be sure that your managers are aware of the risk of prolonged exposure to cold, and that they use these measures to minimize risk.

OSHA Resources for Cold Weather Safety

OSHA (US Occupational Safety and Health Administration) provides information to help employers protect employees who work outdoors in cold environments. Prolonged exposure to freezing or cold temperatures may cause serious health problems such as frostbite and hypothermia. Danger signs include uncontrolled shivering, slurred speech, clumsy movements, fatigue and confused behavior. The link provided above (and again here) includes a helpful discussion on the differences between Blizzard Warnings, Wind Chill Advisories, Wind Chill Warnings, Winter Storm Warnings, Winter Storm Watch, and Winter Weather Advisories.

The OSHA website also provides a free reference guide that links to all of the agency’s resources and recommendations to combat and prevent many cold related illnesses and injuries.

For free copies of OSHA’s Cold Stress Card in English or Spanish, go to OSHA’s website or call 1(800) 321-OSHA.

If you have any questions about this or other HR matters, feel free to call the AIM Helpline at 1-800-470-6277 or email us at helpline@AIMHRSolutions.com