Toolbox talk, Health, about 6 minutes
Cold stress
Date
Site or job
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Why this one
Cold slows your hands, your thinking and your judgment. Wet clothing and wind make it worse. A cold worker makes more mistakes, and the crew often doesn't see it until it's serious.
Say this
- 1.Dress in layers you can add and remove. Keep a dry set of gloves and socks on hand.
- 2.Wet clothing pulls heat away fast. Change out of it when you can.
- 3.Cover your head, hands, feet and face. Keep your boots dry and your gloves from getting soaked.
- 4.Take warm-up breaks in a heated space. Have hot drinks, and skip the alcohol.
- 5.Warning signs: shivering, numb or pale fingers and toes, clumsy hands, slurred speech, and confusion.
- 6.A worker who stops shivering, is confused or can't use their hands needs medical help. Call emergency services.
- 7.Watch for ice on walkways, ladders and steps. Cold makes slips more likely.
Ask the crew
- – What's your go-to gear on a cold day, and what do you wish you had?
- – Where do we warm up on this job, and is it close enough?
- – How can we tell when a coworker is getting too cold to work safely?
Watch for today
- Workers shivering hard, fumbling tools, or going quiet.
- Wet gloves, wet boots or clothing that's soaked through.
- Ice or frost on steps, ladders, handrails and haul roads.
Close with: Layer up, stay dry, warm up, watch each other.
Notes and questions raised
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A starting point. Adapt it to your job, your procedures and the rules that apply to you. portalbaseai.com/toolbox-talks