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We recently put together a PDF handbook that you can download or print at your convenience. Feel free to leave comments or suggestions. Anyone working in a cold environment may be at risk of cold stress. Some workers may be required to work outdoors in cold environments and for extended periods, for example, snow cleanup crews, sanitation workers, police officers and emergency response and recovery personnel, like firefighters, and emergency medical technicians. Cold stress can be encountered in these types of work environment. The following frequently asked questions will help workers understand what cold stress is, how it may affect their health and safety, and how it can be prevented.
HOW COLD IS TOO COLD? What constitutes extreme cold and its effects can vary across different areas of the country. In regions that are not used to winter weather, near freezing temperatures are considered “extreme cold.” A cold environment forces the body to work harder to maintain its temperature. Whenever temperatures drop below normal and wind speed increases, heat can leave your body more rapidly. Wind chill is the temperature your body feels when air temperature and wind speed are combined. For example, when the air temperature is 40°F, and the wind speed is 35 mph, the effect on the exposed skin is as if the air temperature was 28°F. Cold stress occurs by driving down the skin temperature and eventually the internal body temperature (core temperature). This may lead to serious health problems, and may cause tissue damage, and possibly death. WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO COLD STRESS? Some of the risk factors that contribute to cold stress are:
In a cold environment, most of the body’s energy is used to keep the internal core temperature warm. Over time, the body will begin to shift blood flow from the extremities (hands, feet, arms, and legs) and outer skin to the core (chest and abdomen). This shift allows the exposed skin and the extremities to cool rapidly and increases the risk of frostbite and hypothermia. Combine this scenario with exposure to a wet environment, and trench foot may also be a problem. WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON COLD INDUCED ILLNESSES/INJURIES?
Hypothermia occurs when body heat is lost faster than it can be replaced and the normal body temperature (98.6°F) drops to less than 95°F. 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 submersion in cold water. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HYPOTHERMIA?
WHAT IS FROSTBITE? Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing of the skin and underlying tissues. The lower the temperature, the more quickly frostbite will occur. Frostbite typically affects the extremities, particularly the feet and hands. Amputation may be required in severe cases. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF FROSTBITE?
Trench Foot or immersion foot is caused by prolonged exposure to wet and cold temperatures. It can occur at temperatures as high as 60°F if the feet are constantly wet. Non-freezing injury occurs because wet feet lose heat 25-times faster than dry feet. To prevent heat loss, the body constricts the blood vessels to shut down circulation in the feet. The skin tissue begins to die because of a lack of oxygen and nutrients and due to the buildup of toxic products. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF TRENCH FOOT?
WHAT CAN BE DONE FOR A PERSON SUFFERING FROM IMMERSION FOOT?
Although OSHA does not have a specific standard that covers working in cold environments, employers have a responsibility to provide workers with employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards, including cold stress, which are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to them (Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970). Employers should, therefore, train workers on the hazards of the job and safety measures to use, such as engineering controls and safe work practices, that will protect workers’ safety and health. Employers should train workers on how to prevent and recognize cold stress illnesses and injuries and how to apply first aid treatment. Workers should be trained on the appropriate engineering controls, personal protective equipment and work practices to reduce the risk of cold stress. Employers should provide engineering controls. For example, radiant heaters may be used to warm workers in outdoor security stations. If possible, shield work areas from drafts or wind to reduce wind chill. Employers should use safe work practices. For example, it is easy to become dehydrated in cold weather. Employers therefore, can provide plenty of warm sweetened liquids to workers. Avoid alcoholic drinks. If possible, employers can schedule heavy work during the warmer part of the day. Employers can assign workers to tasks in pairs (buddy system), so that they can monitor each other for signs of cold stress. Workers can be allowed to interrupt their work, if they are extremely uncomfortable. Employers should give workers frequent breaks in warm areas. Acclimatize new workers and those returning after time away from work, by gradually increasing their workload, and allowing more frequent breaks in warm areas, as they build up a tolerance for working in the cold environment. Safety measures, such as these, should be incorporated into the relevant health and safety plan for the workplace. Dressing properly is extremely important to preventing cold stress. The type of fabric worn also makes a difference. Cotton loses its insulation value when it becomes wet. Wool, silk and most synthetics, on the other hand, retain their insulation even when wet. The following are recommendations for working in cold environments:
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Cold Stress. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). NOTE: The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) requires employers to comply with hazard-specific safety and health standards. In addition, pursuant to Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, employers must provide their employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. Emergency Preparedness Guides do not and cannot enlarge or diminish an employer’s obligations under the OSH Act. Emergency Preparedness Guides are based on presently available information, as well as current occupational safety and health provisions and standards. The procedures and practices discussed in Emergency Preparedness Guides may need to be modified when additional, relevant information becomes available or when OSH Act standards are promulgated or modified. 2017 Trainman Vacations are in the computer and available for viewing. We've mad them available here as well.
Updated Section 5-RULES, SAFETY AND TRAINING-SECTION D & H
Superintendent Bulletin No. 128 and 129
Kansas Sub General Order No. 16
"There is an RCO class bulletin for Wichita closing on the 13th. Any one that wants to be able to work an RCO when cutoff at SW148 needs to bid into this class." Advertisement ID : 001572
Close date 12/13 @ 12:00 WICHITA, KS IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR A REMOTE CONTROL TRAINING CLASS TO COVER RCL OPERATIONS IN WICHITA, KS. SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS WILL BE RESTRICTED TO THE WICHITA YARD FOR A MAXIMUM OF 120 DAYS PER CBA REQUIREMENTS. CURRENT AND PRIOR SAFETY CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY RECORDS WILL BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION FOR ALL BIDDERS TO THE CLASS. RCO CLASS TO TENTATIVELY BEGIN TRAINING ON JANUARY 09, 2017 AT THE WICHITA MAIN BUILDING TRAINING ROOM. SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WILL NEED HEARING AND EYE EXAMS, STATE AND NATIONAL DRIVING RECORD REVIEWS (MUST HAVE MEDICAL AND DRIVING RECORD FORMS SUBMITTED PRIOR TO CLASS STARTING). THERE WILL BE UP TO 6 SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS ACCEPTED FOR THIS RCO CLASS. NOTE: IN FEBRUARY 2017 THE WICHITA XC30 AND XK30 BOARDS WILL BE COMBINED TO MAKE ONE XK30 COMBINATION BOARD. THIS XK30 CON/BR1 BOARD WILL PROTECT ALL BOARDS/JOBS COVERED OUT OF WICHITA, KS. THE XK30 BOARD WILL REQUIRE AN ACTIVE RCL LICENSE IN ORDER TO BID AND OCCUPY THIS BOARD WITH NO EXCEPTIONS. FOR ANY QUESTIONS, CONTACT MOP MICAH WEBB AT 316-268-9433. ALL INTERESTED EMPLOYEES MUST PLACE A STANDING BID ON: H186 OT30 RCO1 BR1 December 5, 2016 Rail Labor seeks mediation to settle national contract talks Rail Labor’s Coordinated Bargaining Group (CBG) released the following statement on December 5, 2016:
I thought this might be a good place to reiterate this information. Currently installed brake sticks and brake stick holders at these locations:
Herington Sub:
Topeka Sub:
Thanks, Terry Hanken |
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