THE DANGERS OF WIND CHILL Working in cold and inclement weather

environments can adversely affect a worker’s

performance and health. The combined effect of

wind and cold temperatures, known as wind chill,

magnifies the impact on the body and its

extremities. Workers suffering from exposure to

the cold can experience thermal discomfort,

increased strain or injury, decreased performance

and impaired judgment. Any of these symptoms

may lead to a serious injury.

WHAT IS WIND CHILL?

The wind chill temperature is how cold people

and animals feel when outside. Windchill is

based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin

caused by wind and cold. As the wind increases,

it draws heat from the body, driving down skin

temperature and eventually the internal body

temperature. Therefore, the wind makes it FEEL

(Continued on page 2)

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Upcoming Events:

January 18, 2011

TOCAS 7:30 AM

(107A)

ABC Board Mtg.

3:00 PM (104B)

January 20, 2011

MSTI Board Mtg.

3:00 PM (104B)

January 25, 2011

CSCB Board &

Owners Advisory Mtg. 11:30 AM (104B)

January 26, 2011

Members Event Breakfast

8:00 AM (RiverPlace)

Contractors’ Safety Council of Brazosport

Welcome New Members! KNIGHT INDUSTRIAL

AQUILEX / HYDROCHEM

MARQUIS CONSTRUCTION SERVICES INC.

FAITHFUL+GOULD

VEOLIA ES - CMT / MECHANICAL

Volume 3 • Issue 1 January 2011

NEW LAB HOURS AT SWEENY SITE The Conoco / Chevron Lab in Sweeny will begin closing on Fridays starting January 14, 2011.

The hours will remain the same Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM. During

turnarounds and by special request the lab may

be open on Fridays. Special request will require

sufficient notice for consideration. Please call

979-233-1818 for special request or additional

information.

MEMBERSHIP AND ONLINE ACTIVITY FEES All member and non-member activity fees are

due by January 31, 2011 in order to maintain an

active account. Membership fees are $300 and

Non-member activity fees are $150. Members

receive a significant discount on training fees.

Note—Invoices have been mailed to all active

accounts. Please call the office if you have any

questions (979) 233-1818.

Total Training Units & Related Activity

Total Annual Activity 2010 ································· 106,596 2009 ···································· 107,757 2008 ···································· 127,674 2007 ···································· 145,193

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

18,000

20,000

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

2010 2009

Reciprocal Transfers

(January – December)

Basic Plus Refresher ...................... 7,952

Social Security Verification .......... 5,296

Additional Reciprocal Courses ......... 108

Total Transfers ........................... 13,356

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much colder. If the actual air temperature is 40°F and the wind speed is 10 miles per hour (mph), the apparent temperature

is 28°F; at 32°F with a 10-mph wind speed, the apparent temperature is 21°F.

Link to National Weather Service Windchill Calculator:

http://www.weather.gov/om/windchill/index.shtml

HOW COLD IS TOO COLD? Too cold is when the body is unable to warm itself and cold-related stress sets in. Cold weather stress is extremely

dangerous for the construction worker and may be just as dangerous to workers as heat-related stress. Once exposed to cold

or freezing temperatures for an extended period of time, workers run the risk of losing a significant amount of body heat.

Most of the body’s energy is used to keep the inner core of the body warm. During extended periods of exposure the body

will begin to shift blood flow from extremities (hands, feet, arms, legs and skin) to the inner core. This may allow exposed

skin and the body’s extremities to experience frostbite and hypothermia.

Monitoring and planning is the answer to avoiding cold weather related stress on the body. Supervisors and employees

must plan for work in cold weather. Wearing appropriate clothing and being aware of how the body is reacting to the cold

are important to preventing cold weather stress.

Educate employees on “Cold Weather PPE” (layers)

Train employees to recognize signs of cold weather stress

Have employees use the “Buddy System” and work in pairs

Adjust outdoor work schedules to the warmest part of day

Provide frequent short breaks in a warm & dry environment

Encourage employees to drink plenty of liquids

Have supervisors monitor weather conditions and workers for cold related stress

By incorporating these measures into health and safety plans and training employees and supervisors to look for the signs

of cold-related stress, your employees will be safer and more productive when working outside during winter months.

(Continued from page 1)

Page 2 Contractors’ Safety Council of Brazosport January 2011