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ESIS Announces Top Ten Precautions To Take When Exposed to Cold Weather: What Every Construction Company Should Know

PHILADELPHIA - December 22, 2003 - Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can result in injuries as serious as frostbite and hypothermia. ESIS, Inc., the risk management services arm of ACE USA, recently released a top ten list of precautions construction and other outdoor workers should take when exposed to cold weather.

"Cold weather takes away body heat. Too much heat loss can cause the inner body temperature to fall to dangerously low levels causing hypothermia and even death," said Steven Di Pilla, Director of Research and Development for ESIS Risk Control Services.

About 700 deaths a year are attributed to hypothermia alone, which results when the body's internal temperature drops below 95°F. In addition:

 Exposed body parts may freeze in extreme cold weather (e.g. frostbite).

 Cold weather can aggravate existing medical conditions such as rheumatism and arthritis.

 Cold weather affects dexterity, mental skills, and coordination.

 Prolonged exposure to even moderately cold weather can cause injuries.

 Working in cold weather increases the risk of musculoskeletal injuries such as back strain.

TOP TEN PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE WHEN EXPOSED TO COLD WEATHER

Cold Temperature Exposures, Injuries, and Controls on the Jobsite

1. Wearing the proper clothes may be the most significant precaution to reducing cold stress. Wearing appropriate clothes for cold weather involves using three layers of clothing. Also use layering to protect the head, hands, and feet.

2. Drink plenty of fluids, preferably warm, sweet beverages. Thirst is suppressed in a cold environment and dehydration may occur when fluid intake is reduced.

3. Increase caloric intake when working in cold environments. Workers in cold environments who wear heavy, protective clothing expend more heat and so require 10-15 percent more calories.

4. A work warm-up schedule should be used to provide periodic times for warm-up breaks. Additional breaks should be provided as the wind velocity increases and/or the temperature drops.

5. Avoid taking certain drugs such as alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, and medication that inhibits the body's response to cold or impairs judgment.

6. Avoid the cold if you are becoming exhausted or immobilized. These conditions can accelerate the effects of cold weather.

7. Shield work areas from drafty or windy conditions. Provide a heated shelter for workers with prolonged exposure to equivalent wind-chill temperatures of 20◦ F or less.

8. Select the warmest hours of the day when braving the cold. Minimize activities that reduce circulation.

9. Educate employees on symptoms of cold-related stresses: heavy shivering, uncomfortable coldness, severe fatigue, drowsiness, and/or euphoria.

10. Use the buddy system. Always work in pairs when working in extreme weather conditions so partners can monitor one another and obtain help quickly in an emergency.

According to Wayne Clifton, Manager of Construction Safety Engineering for ESIS, Inc., the impact of cold weather on the health of employees and subcontractors, as well as quality and productivity is often underestimated. "Construction is about getting the job done on time and on budget," said Mr. Clifton. "Since cold weather generally has an indirect impact on these measures, it's not immediately identifiable as a cause of decreased safety, quality, and productivity."

Injuries due to cold stress can develop slowly and unobtrusively. The symptoms may go undetected until a worker's health or life is in danger. These tips can help employers and employees to protect themselves against cold stress exposure and injury on the jobsite.

ESIS Risk Control Services is widely respected within the construction industry for its emphasis on proactive measures, strong focus on client education, and solid expertise in lessening the potential for risk in construction operations. Their "hands on" experience of more than 80 years of construction-related loss control activities enable the engineer to assist in developing solutions that can be effective in the unique environment of the dynamic construction site.

Risk Control Services is part of ESIS, Inc. (ESIS), one of the industry's oldest and largest risk management services companies. ESIS is among the insurance services companies of ACE USA. ACE USA is a U.S-based operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, headed by ACE Limited (NYSE: ACE). Nationwide, the ESIS Risk Control Services organization is dedicated to working with clients to prevent injury to people, liability to organizations, and damage to property. Its loss prevention specialists continue to develop as industry leaders through training, experience and research.

Consultative risk control services and other descriptions in this literature refer to the risk prevention consulting service sold directly to clients by ESIS, Inc. This service is not intended as a substitute for legal counsel nor to supplant any duty to provide a safe workplace, operation, product or premises. ESIS makes no express or implied warranty that all accidents can or will be prevented, or that numbers of accidents or amounts of losses will be reduced. This literature is not intended to describe risk control activities undertaken by an insurer in connection with an insurance policy.

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Media Contact
Carla Ferrara
ACE INA Communications
215 640-4744
carla.ferrara@ace-ina.com

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