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Posted By carl...
I am seeking views on how to control a peculiar workplace hazard.
We have a number of employees who work in an area where there is a high wind chill factor. All of these employees have been provided with appropriate cold weather PPE following risk assessment. However, the majority frequently suffer from respiratory infections and colds/flu type symptoms which they attribute to exposure to cold winds. For various reasons we cannot build any shelter in the exposed area and we cannot offer the employees balaclava's as they are public facing. Exposure times are kept to a maximum of 30 minutes, which for operational reasons, cannot be reduced further. Any help would be very appreciated as my only alternative is to withdraw the workforce from the area when the temperatures are too low.
Thanks.
Carl.
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Posted By Zoe Barnett
I'd be surprised if wind chill was the main cause of the colds/infections - if it was a factor then the entire population of Siberia would have a permanent cold! It's more likely that the problems are caused by stuffy buildings where germs are recycled in the aircon. Maybe the need to adjust from fresh air to central heating isn't helping - I seem to recall reading evidence that children brought up in tightly sealed, overheated homes are more likely to have asthma (don't quote me as I can't remember the source).
Could you not try things like giving them some kind of shelter if it's practicable- even a wind-break type of thing? Moving their site nearer the building? Hats with ear-flaps might help too as the ears are of course very closely linked to the sinuses and throat.
Other than that, if your clothing is good and you stick to the time limits, I can't think of anything else you can do. If going out in the wind is part of the job then the chill is something over which you have little practicable control.
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Posted By P Hocking
Carl,
Zoe is correct in saying that being cold dosen't actually give you a cold/flu. However if the viruses are present the temperatures may have an effect on the immune system.
If PPE is the last resort and it is for a few of our operations can I suggest having a look at some of the thermal protection on the market. We use fourth element for extremes, very light weight, breathable and warm. I use the same under a dry suit all year round, the best I've found.
Regards
Paul
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Posted By David A Jones
Carl,
if you gave us some details about the typreo f work being undertaken we may be able to provide some more specific suggestions - as you appear to suggest that there is nothing else that can be done (e.g. shelters)
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Posted By Stuart Nagle
Hi, Carl.
Perhaps you could offer these employees, if they seem to be particularly at risk from colds/flu, some health surveillance and flu jabs paid for by the organisation.
You also state that they are 'public facing'.
I have noticed in such circumstances that where a group of persons gather to listen to someone, unless the person giving the talk has taken control of the group, it is the group who will huddle and turn their backs to the incomming inclement weather, leaving the person talking to the group 'downwind' of them and facing into the weather - and directly in line of any germs etc the group may exhale etc...
The answer is for the person giving the talk to either A) assume control before the group do and take up a stance where the group will have to face them looking upwind, or
B) assume a stance where both are standing with a crosswind between the person and the group. This may help eliminate passage of viruses from one group to another!!
As pointed out above, I think it unlikely that exposure to cold wind is the sole cause of the problem, particularly if good quality clothing is provided and used correctly, but in saying this, exposure to the elements, cold, wet and the body getting very cold certainly does not assist with preventing cold like symptoms such as sneezing, running eyes and running noses, and hot/cold flushes etc, as I can vouch for myself, having spend a lot of time in my younger days working outside in very exposed conditions.
Stuart
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Posted By Alison Melrose
Carl,
This wouldn't happen to be porters at a hotel would it (public facing so unable to wear any face coverings etc)?
There can be a culture within these organistations that donning extra PPE (hat / gloves) is "girlie" especially if the establishment and workforce is older. Changing attitudes towards wearing PPE so that they could wear thermal clothing etc might be worth trying..let them trial things (so they feel they have an input) rather than forcing them to accept things they will not wear.
If it's at a doorway, you could consider a heater "curtain" that blows warm air down into the room. Although they would still be required to exit the building, they could stand in the doorway and move forward on arrival of the guests (rather than constantly standing in a cold area).
Hope this helps
A
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Posted By PaulA
Carl..
We operate rotary wing aircraft at temperatures ranging from 0 to -30 in Arctic conditions.. The kit we have is all available though industry. Wind chill drops to -85 under the disc and can freeze skin..
Yuo will have to be a bit more descriptive in your reasonings as to what your line of work is to allow forum members to help you with your requirements..
Kit is available along with portable and bespoke shelters etc..
Regards Paul
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Posted By carl...
Thanks for the comments. To clarify the work undertaken; this is a public venue where our employees are deployed to assist with questions and generally offer a "presence" in case a member of the public jumps (very high building!), throws somthing from the building, panics or generally requires assistance. The employees usually have very little crowd control to undertake, more a one-on-one scenario. We have tried a heating lamp mounted above head height, with the general effect that their head gets warm, however the overall effect was minimal.
I would be intersted in any further views, and like the idea of hats (seems an obvious provision now) to reduce heat loss. I don't feel the general employee perception is that it is thought to be "girlie" to wear the PPE, so I am quite willing to provide extra equipment and am confident it will be used.
Thanks for the response so far, it has been very useful.
Carl..
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