Cold stress occurs when weather elements drive down skin temperature and eventually the internal body temperature drops as well. When the body is unable to warm itself, serious cold-related illnesses and injuries may occur and permanent tissue damage and death could result. Increased wind speed also causes heat to leave the body more rapidly (wind chill effect). Wetness or dampness, even from body sweat, also facilitates heat loss from the body. It doesn’t have to be extremely cold for someone to experience a cold related emergency.
Hypothermia occurs when the normal body temperature (98.6°F) drops to less than 95°F. Exposure to cold temperatures causes the body to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up the body’s stored energy. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. Hypothermia is most likely at very cold temperatures, but it can occur even at cool temperatures (above 40°F) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat or immersion in cold water. Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not know what is happening and won’t be able to do anything about it.
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Maryland Construction Safety Consultants
PO Box 353
Taneytown, MD 21787
410-346-8060