Most of us cope the best we can and carry on with our usual activities. But the cold can be a serious occupational hazard for many workers. Workers need not be exposed to below zero temperatures to experience cold related conditions such as hypothermia. Indoor workers in refrigerated rooms or unheated buildings can also be at risk. Frostbite and hypothermia are two conditions of particular concern.
Frostbite is the actual freezing of tissue.
Any exposed skin is subject to frostbite when the air temperature is below zero or when wind speeds are high. Frostbite can lead to scarring, tissue damage, possible amputation and may cause permanent disability. Symptoms of frostbite vary from swelling of the skin accompanied by slight pain in mild cases to tissue damage without pain or with burning pain or prickling in severe cases. Frostbitten skin is subject to infection and therefore must not be treated lightly. Affected area should be warmed slowly to normal temperatures.