Toolbox Safety Topic - Virginia Tech



I. Cold-related emergencies can be divided into two categories: freezing of an exposed area of the body (i.e. frostbite or frostnip) and body temperature falling (hypothermia) below normal (98.6(F). Whereas freezing injuries require temperatures below freezing (32(F) and are generally not life-threatening, hypothermia can happen just about any time and is life-threatening.

II. Frostnip can occur when water freezes on the surface of the skin. Skin appears red and possibly swollen, and can be painful. Usually, no permanent damage occurs to the tissue after rewarming. Repeated frostnip to the same area can result in dry, cracking, sensitive skin. It should be taken seriously because it is often an indication of impending frostbite.

What should you do?

1. Remove victim from sources of cold exposure.

2. Gently and slowly warm the affected area by placing it against something warm, such as a warm body part (under the armpits or on the stomach), or blowing warm air on the area. The affected area may be red and tingling after rewarming.

3. Do not rub the area.

4. Prevention: wear appropriate clothing that covers potentially exposed areas and keep dry as much as possible.

III. Frostbite occurs when a body part, usually feet, hands, ears, and noses, actually freezes and ice crystals are formed in the tissue. The most severe consequences are gangrene and amputation. Typically the area must thaw before the extent of damage can be determined. Frostbite can be superficial or deep, and is categorized by degrees (similar to burn classifications).

Superficial frostbite signs and symptoms typically include the following:

➢ White, waxy, or grayish-yellow skin color.

➢ Coldness and numbness of affected body part, which may include tingling, stinging, or aching sensations.

➢ Skin surface feels stiff or crusty and underlying tissue feels soft.

Deep frostbite signs and symptoms typically include the following:

➢ Affected body part feels cold, hard, and solid.

➢ Affected body part appears pale and waxy.

➢ The pain in the cold part suddenly stops.

➢ Blisters may appear after rewarming.

What should you do?

1. Remove the victim from cold exposure.

2. Remove constricting clothing or jewelry from affected parts.

3. Seek medical treatment.

4. Only warm the affected body part if there are no chances of refreezing. Place affected body part next to something warm or in warm water 102(F to 105(F.

5. When part thaws (i.e. becomes soft), stop rewarming.

6. Do not rub the affected body part.

7. Wrap affected body part with a dry, clean bandage between fingers and toes and over broken blisters.

8. Slightly elevate the affected part to reduce pain and swelling.

9. Seek medical attention.

IV. Hypothermia, on the other hand, can be identified by the following signs and symptoms:

➢ A change in mental status, such as disorientation (ex. mumbling and grumbling), apathy, changes in personality (ex. aggressiveness).

➢ Shivering. Shivering starts when the body temperature drops only 1(F and is the body’s mechanism to produce more heat. Shivering stops at about 90(F as the body’s temperature continues to fall.

➢ The person’s abdomen feels cool. If the abdominal skin under clothing is cooler than the back of your hand, assume the person is hypothermic.

➢ Low core body temperature (if a thermometer is available). Note that most thermometers do not register below 94(F, and therefore may not indicate a mild versus severe case.

What should you do?

1. Stop further heat loss immediately by removing victim from the cold.

2. Add insulation such as blankets, towels, pillows, newspapers, etc. under and around the victim.

3. Cover the victim’s head to prevent heat loss.

4. Remove wet clothing and replace with dry clothing.

5. Handle the victim gently to avoid cardiac arrest.

6. Keep the victim in a horizontal position.

7. Seek medical attention immediately.

Hypothermia occurring in individuals in remote locations where Emergency Medical Services is not readily available poses additional concerns. For severe cases, where shivering has stopped, muscles have stiffened, skin feels ice cold, and pulse and breathing have slowed or stopped, check and monitor the victim’s airway, breathing, and circulation and provide basic life support as indicated. In mild cases, the victim is often able to rewarm him/her self by shivering. Do not use warm water immersion, body-to-body contact, or chemical heating pads.

V. With all cold-related injuries and emergencies, it is important to remember, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”!

✓ Do not unnecessarily expose yourself or others to cold environments.

✓ Dress appropriately for the cold temperatures, covering as much of exposed tissue as possible.

✓ Take frequent breaks to get and stay warm.

✓ Stay dry.

Date: _____________

Meeting Conducted By: _______________________ Title:_____________________

Attendees

|# |NAME |# |NAME |

|1 | |18 | |

|2 | |19 | |

|3 | |20 | |

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|11 | |28 | |

|12 | |29 | |

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|15 | |32 | |

|16 | |33 | |

|17 | |34 | |

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