As we prepare for the upcoming winter season, it is important to remember the hazards we will face that can cause injuries. Specifically, we want to remind you about protecting yourself and others against cold stress. These dangers include hypothermia, frostbite, and trench foot. Each of these dangers can lead to serious injuries and even death if not addressed promptly.
To assist employers with raising employee awareness about cold stress, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) offers a Cold Stress Guide. The time to start planning to protect workers is now, before cold temperatures arrive.
OSHA also offers a downloadable “Quick Card” on cold stress. This is a useful document to provide to employees that gives them basic information.
Hypothermia: Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, leading to a dangerously low body temperature. Symptoms vary depending on the severity of hypothermia. See below for a list of symptoms.
Frostbite: Symptoms of frostbite include skin that is cold, numb, and may appear white, grayish-yellow, or even black in severe cases. You may also feel tingling, aching, or throbbing, and skin can become hard or waxy. As the area thaws, blisters (sometimes filled with fluid or blood) can appear.
Trench Foot: Also known as immersion foot, is a condition that occurs when the feet are exposed to wet and cold conditions for prolonged periods. Symptoms typically develop gradually and can be become serious. See below for symptoms.
Cold Stress Symptoms:
Hypothermia:
Mild Hypothermia: Shivering, cold skin, confusion, slurred speech, fatigue, and poor coordination.
Moderate Hypothermia: Loss of shivering, drowsiness, slowed breathing and heart rate, blue or pale skin, weak pulse, and loss of consciousness (in severe cases)
Severe Hypothermia: Rigid muscles, unconsciousness, dilated pupils, slow or absent breathing, and very weak or no pulse.
It’s important to note that symptoms can progress rapidly, and hypothermia can be fatal if not treated promptly. If you suspect someone has hypothermia, seek medical attention immediately.
Frostbite:
Early-stage symptoms (frostnip): A “pins and needles” or tingling sensation, aching or throbbing, and skin that is cold, numb, and white or grayish-yellow.
Deeper frostbite symptoms: Severe numbness and loss of sensation, difficulty moving the affected area, skin that feels hard and waxy or has a wooden feel, blisters filled with clear fluid or blood, which may appear after the area thaws, and, in severe cases, the skin may turn black and hard, indicating tissue death (gangrene).
Trench Foot:
Tingling or prickling sensations, redness and swelling, the skin on the feet may become red, swollen, and tender, blisters, pain can range from mild discomfort to severe agony, numbness or loss of sensation, and in severe cases, gangrene.
What’s New with Company Nurse
Workplace accidents happen, but the right strategy and solution can ease the pain of workers’ comp. IMWCA’s partnership with Company Nurse powered by Lintelio provides you with the nurse triage program that gets results — connecting your employees to the care they need and providing your organization with immediate reporting and administrative relief, saving you time and money.
What’s New?
New Branding/Website:
We’re thrilled to introduce our newly redesigned Company Nurse powered by Lintelio website. Take a look: www.companynurse.com
- This initiative marks a significant milestone in our journey to redefine what’s possible in the workplace incident reporting and nurse triage arena.
- We’ve also reimagined our branding, combining the best of human compassion and industry technology to improve outcomes for injured workers and employers alike.
- We’ve streamlined the incident reporting process, creating the only unified solution of its kind.
This isn’t just a facelift. It’s a deeper commitment to innovation, service, care, and ease for all involved.
Meet Lin, our digital assistant!
Lin is easily accessible through a unique QR code, link or phone number and offers a mobile-friendly website that functions like an app—no downloads required.
- Lin provides employees with a simple, digital solution to initiate an incident report or connect with a nurse.
- Access Anywhere:
- QR code, link, or phone-designed for seamless entry.
- No App Needed: Mobile-friendly, browser-based experience.
- Simplified Reporting:
- Effortless incident reporting at your employees’ fingertips
- IVR Prompt – You can now enter your organization’s search code (found on your poster).
To learn more about Lin’s full functionality and how it’s already making a difference for our clients, contact your IMWCA team today.
Register Now: Workers’ Compensation Virtual Round Tables
Gain insights and share ideas in our quarterly virtual round tables. Each session features a short presentation followed by an open discussion. Submit your questions in advance to ensure a customized experience.
- November 18, 9:30 a.m. – Importance of Updated and Enforceable Safety Policies
- Perfect for monthly safety meetings.
All sessions are recorded.
Slip and Fall Prevention Grants Are Making a Measurable Difference
As we transition into Fall, it is a good time to start thinking about slip and fall prevention before the snow and ice make their initial appearance. IMWCA reminds our members that funding is available to purchase slip-resistant footwear through the safety implementation grant.
The slip and fall prevention grant has been in existence for six years and has awarded grants to 15 members who provided 651 pairs of traction aids at approximately $26,500. The employees cover full-time, part-time positions, and volunteer first responders. For the 400 employees who have been in the program the longest, they average less than 1 slip and fall a year. In most cases, those incidents were due to employees not wearing the footwear when applicable. This average is well below the general pool membership average.
To qualify for a grant, the member must adopt a policy that requires the footwear to be worn when certain conditions exist, and the member must provide staff with two training sessions on slip and fall prevention. There is a brief training course on Learn that will help cover the training requirement.
The grant application is found on the IMWCA website.
If you have questions regarding the grant, please contact your IMWCA safety and risk improvement adviser or Dean Schade.
