TITLE:

ES&H Manual

 

DOCUMENT ID:

6670 Appendix T2

Cold Stress Work Procedure

 

 

1.0             Purpose

 

This appendix addresses the procedure used to mitigate potential injury or illness due to cold stress.

 

2.0             Scope

 

This appendix provides minimum mitigation steps to be used at Jefferson Lab to reduce injuries or illnesses caused by cold stress. Overarching responsibilities and expectations are provided in ES&H Manual Chapter 6670 Heat and Cold Stress Mitigation Program.

 

There are no known controlled work environments with temperatures considered cold stress areas at Jefferson Lab. Contact Industrial Hygiene for more specific information on cold stress or further instructions if workers will be exposed continuously to extreme temperatures as listed in the Increased Danger or Great Danger areas of the Windchill Chart in Section 4.0.

 

Subcontractors follow this procedure or a Jefferson Lab approved procedure.

 

This appendix does not address specific hazards or potential injuries from sudden exposure to cryogenic materials (see ES&H Manual Chapter 6550 Cryogenic Safety Program).

 

These mitigation steps are used when Wind Chill air temperature reaches 37oF.

 

3.0             Responsibilities

NOTE:           Management authority may be delegated to a task qualified Jefferson Lab employee at the discretion of the responsible manager. Refer to ES&H Manual Chapter 6670 Heat and Cold Stress Mitigation Program for a list of overarching responsibilities for this program.

 

3.1              Everyone at Jefferson Lab

·         Maintain fluid intake, preferably warm beverages.

·         Wear layers of loose, warm clothes, a hat, and gloves.

·         Immediately report cold stress symptoms[1] to supervisor and Occupational Medicine.

·         Stop activity at first signs of cold illness. Move to a warm, dry area.

 

3.1              Supervisor/ Technical Representative (TRs)/Sponsor

·         Eliminate sources of cold stress where feasible (see ES&H Manual Chapter 6670 Appendix T3 Assessment of Thermal Hazards).

·         Provide heat and cold stress prevention guidance for employees working under these conditions. Guidance may be requested from Industrial Hygiene or Occupational Medicine.

·         Provide appropriate rest periods for employees. Consult Industrial Hygiene for appropriate work/rest schedules.

·         Familiarize workers with cold stress, its symptoms1, and prevention.

·         Plan and schedule work to minimize worker exposure to extreme temperatures.

 

3.1.1        TR also:

·         Ensure subcontractor personnel abide by their Jefferson Lab accepted procedure or this procedure’s requirements.

 

4.0             Process Steps

 

These stages are implemented for outside work.

 

Stage 1:           Wind Chill < 37oF

 

Step 1:            Monitor the weather: all staff should monitor local weather predictions [http://www.weather.gov/bgm/heatindexforecasts] to plan accordingly.  When cold conditions are anticipated to potentially cause a thermal stress hazard, ES&H division will send notifications to staff.

 

Step 2:            ES&H Professional/Supervisors/TRs

·         Inform workers of cold stress condition as necessary.

·         Familiarize workers with cold stress, its symptoms1, and prevention.

·         Confirm provisions for fluid replacement and shelter procedures as appropriate.

 

Step 3:            Upon notification, Jefferson Lab Staff:

·         Drink ample amounts of water – more than your sense of thirst indicates.

·         Wear layered clothing.

·         Recognize personal risk factors. If at higher risk than normal, advise your supervisor and Occupational Medicine, and limit work activities. If taking medication, be familiar with its risk potential.

·         At first signs of cold illness, seek a warmer area.

 

Stage 2:           Wind Chill < 16oF

These conditions will be assessed by management and additional actions will be determined as conditions warrant.

 

5.0             References

NWS Wind Chill Chart

Source: https://www.weather.gov/oun/safety-winter-windchill

 

6.0             Revision Summary

 

Revision 1.5 – 06/02/2021 – Periodic Review; Updated Wind chill image, updated section 4.0 fr employees to add clarity, updated header and footer, changed SOTR to TR, Minor edits, no approval needed.  

Revision 1.4 – 06/19/18 – Updated TPOC from B.Manzlak to J.Williams

Revision 1.3 – 02/29/16 – Periodic Review; updated TPOC from D.Owen to B.Manzlak; no substantive changes

Revision 1.2 – 09/27/12 – Periodic Review; no changes to content required

Revision 1.0 – 11/19/09 – Update to reflect current laboratory operations

 

 

 

ISSUING AUTHORITY

TECHNICAL POINT-OF-CONTACT

APPROVAL DATE

REVIEW DATE

REV.

 

 

ES&H Division

Jennifer Williams

06/19/18

06/2/24

1.5

 

This document is controlled as an on line file.  It may be printed but the print copy is not a controlled document.  It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that the document is the same revision as the current on line file.  This copy was printed on 6/2/2021.



[1] Fatigue or drowsiness; uncontrolled shivering; cool bluish skin; slurred speech; clumsy movements; irritable, irrational or confused behavior