Exposure to cold can lead to worker discomfort even severe injuries, illnesses, or death. Workers who are exposed to extreme cold or work in cold environments may be at risk of cold stress.
OSHA Requirements for working in below zero weather ``When is it too cold to go to work? There's no exact temperature that is legally deemed too cold to work. If temperatures dip into sub-zero territory or if the wind chill is bellow -17 degrees, experts say you should probably stay inside, according to Yahoo! Finance.
Minimum workplace temperature
The Approved Code of Practice on the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations suggests the minimum temperature for working indoors should normally be at least: 16°C or. 13°C if much of the work involves rigorous physical effort.
The long term effects of working in cold may include arthritis (wear and tear of tissue), rheumatism (damage of tissue from immune response), breathing difficulties (bronchitis) and heart disease due to the strain placed on the heart from changes in blood circulation.
Although OSHA does not have a specific standard that covers working in cold environments, employers have a responsibility to provide workers with employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards, including cold stress, which are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to ...
While there are no specific federal regulations about working in extreme cold or heat, you do have a right to a workplace “free from recognized hazards .” That includes exposure to extreme cold and heat. Some states do have more rigorous rules regarding heat, and you can find the state plans here .
Cal/OSHA recognizes and warns of the dangers cold-stress presents, particularly hypothermia, frostbite and trench-foot. However, unlike heat, there are no specific standards or requirements employers must follow at either the state or federal level.
Workers exposed to extreme cold or cold environments may experience cold stress and be at risk for a cold-related illness. Types of cold-related illness include hypothermia, frostbite, trench foot, and chilblains.
CAN YOUR FREEZER BE TOO COLD? Yes, your freezer can be too cold. If this is the case, you may need to adjust the temperature to 0ºF (-18ºC) or shift frozen items around to help encourage proper airflow. Parts of your freezer may also have worn out over time, affecting your appliance's freezing capabilities.
These working conditions can threaten your ability to do your job safely, as cold can have negative effects on the body. This is known as “cold stress.” Cold and wet weather can begin to have negative effects on the body in temperatures as high as 59 degrees Fahrenheit.
In general, when the wind chill is 32° and above, it's safe to be outside. In temperatures 13° to 31°, indoor breaks should happen every 20-30 minutes. For wind chills of 13° and below, you should move activities indoors and outside of the cold as frostbite can set in very quickly.
On a general scale, most people start to feel cold when the ambient temperature drops below about 60°F (15°C). However, this can vary depending on factors like wind chill, humidity, clothing, and individual tolerance to cold.
There is no legal maximum or minimum working temperature. But by law, employers have a 'duty of care' to make sure working temperatures are reasonable for their staff. This includes at the workplace and working from home.
Cal/OSHA's Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment regulation applies to most indoor workplaces, such as restaurants, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities. For indoor workplaces where the temperature reaches 82 degrees Fahrenheit, employers must take steps to protect workers from heat illness.
Frostbite can happen when air temperatures fall below 5 degrees Fahrenheit (-15 degrees Celsius). In wind chills of -16.6 degrees Fahrenheit (-27 degrees Celsius), frostbite can occur on exposed skin within 30 minutes.
Temperature Too Warm
If the freezer is freezing but your ice cream seems to soft, check the temperature setting is correct. The recommended setting for a freezer is 0°F (-18°C). The freezer should be operated in an environment between 55°F (13°C) and 110°F (43°C).
Even workers who are not trapped for a significant amount of time can sustain injuries. For instance, brief exposure can cause frostbite, which occurs when a person's skin and underlying tissues are frozen. Generally, the lower the temperature in the freezer, the more quickly frostbite is likely to occur.
If ambient air temperature drops below about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the thermostat on the refrigerator may not run its cooling and defrost cycles for the appropriate amount of time.
It's probably fair to say that there is no particular temperature that is comfortable for everyone. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not regulate indoor workplace temperature but does recommend that temperatures be maintained in the range of 68-76° F.
What are the long-term risks of working in Cold Storage? Tissue damage from the cold (such as frostnip or frostbite) obviously can have long term effects on your health. The use of your fingers, toes and limbs can be impaired for life, as severe tissue damage cases can require amputation!
Without a reasonable basis for this however, an employee must report to work. Conditions such as seasonal allergies and the common cold don't escalate to a "direct threat" under the law.
NLRA Protections
The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) also plays a role during severe weather. It protects employees who refuse to work in unsafe conditions when specific criteria are met. Employers cannot retaliate against workers who reasonably believe their safety is at risk and choose not to report to work.