Colder Weather Tips for Midwestern Dairy Farm Employees

After a long day at work, you probably want to relax, feel warm and let go of the pressures of the day. Ensuring your house is adequately heated is important.

There are a few simple ways to reduce the overall heat loss, make sure all windows are closed, replace damaged door seals, use carpet, and curtains.

During winter, make sure to:

• Watch for excessive snow on roof and remove it.
• Keep ice off walkways to avoid slippery spots.

Prior to winter season, make sure to:

• Cover the windows with plastic to avoid cold air drafts.
• Have salt or cat litter to keep ice off walkways.
• Drain and/or cover all outside piping.
• Have a shovel handy.
• Check the furnace filters.

Trailer homes:

• Heat tape to be used on water / sewer pipes.
• Proper insulate around the skirting.

When choosing what to wear, carefully select clothing that will not restrict movement (too tight can restrict movement and reduces circulation). Wearing appropriate clothing, or layers of loose clothing can provide better insulation for your body. Protect your face, extremities and feet – good waterproof and insulated boots with wool or wool-cotton blend socks are very helpful. Wearing a hat reduces the heat that dissipates from your head keeping your body warmer. Having extra socks, gloves, hats, jacket, blankets, and a change of clothes could be necessary at work or in vehicle during the harsh winters.

Prior to winter season, check if you have for working:

• Lined jackets.
• Lined overalls.
• Stocking caps / hats and lined gloves.
• Long thermal underwear.
• Lined boots, waterproof and anti-slip.
• Wicking wool socks.
• Scarf protecting the neck.

Car safety and driving carefully should be our number one priority during any season of the year; however, during winter we must be even more cautious behind the wheel.

The three P's of safe winter driving as described by OSHA are: “PREPARE for the trip; PROTECT yourself; and PREVENT crashes on the road.” For that, it is important the car maintenance is up to date and the car is stocked with a few lifesaving items before the start of the winter season. The following table will help you be organized during winter:

Prior to winter season, check all vehicles for:

• Tire tread depth and properly inflated.
• Windshield wipers.
• Oil change.
• Battery life.
• Antifreeze.
• Washer antifreeze windshield fluid added in the washer reservoir.
• Clean car windows.

Keep always in the car:

• Salt, sandbags or cat litter for extra weight and traction if needed.
• Cellphone charger and car adaptor.
• Battery jump pack for cold weather.
• Chain to secure a vehicle to be towed.
• Ice scraper.
• Shovel.

Emergency Bag with:

• Non-freezing foods: chocolate, cereal bar, nuts, or peanuts.
• Water bottles for hydration.
• Extra winter clothes: coat, scarf, hats, and gloves.
• Blanket.
• Flashlight, candles and lighter.
• Brightly colored cloth to use as a flag on car antenna.
• Antifreeze.

During the winter season, make sure to:

• Plug in diesel vehicle if needed.
• Use #1 diesel or add diesel treatment in the fuel.
• Pump your breaks slowly when on ice.
• Give more distance in-between vehicles.
• Keep fuel tank at least half full.
• Buckle up.
• Awareness of wildlife eyes reflection.
• Drive slowly and do not make sudden corrections.
• Turn off your cruise control.
• Turn on lights.
• Caution with bridges. They will freeze first due to no ground insulation underneath leaving the entire structure being surrounded by cold air. Slow down before entering a bridge because it might be icy.
• Roads that appear to be wet may contain ice that is called “black ice.”
• Dial 511 in South Dakota or check online for road conditions on the Safe Travel USA website.
• Dial 911 if you are strand in your vehicle and/or dangerous conditions.

The temperature drops, wind starts blowing and the snow piles up, suddenly everyone starts taking their winter clothing out of the wardrobe. We cannot control the weather, but we can take control of how we will be protected during the winter.

Hypothermia (abnormally low body temperature) and frostbite are both cold-related emergencies and considered as dangerous conditions that can happen when we are exposed to extremely cold temperatures.

Hypothermia: It occurs when our body loses heat faster than it can be produced, causing a drop in the body’s core temperature (below 35.0 °C or 95.0 °F in humans). We should be aware of the following signs:

• Fast and shallow breathing / trouble breathing.
• Going from shivering to not shivering.
• Hunger, fatigue and confusion.
• Lack of coordination.
• Increased heart rate.
• Weak pulse.
• Slurred speech / mumbling.
• Dizziness and nausea.

It is important to be aware that these conditions may quickly become life or limb threatening. Preventing cold-related emergencies includes knowledge and action. Be sure to check the outside temperature and limit your time outdoors if it is very cold, wet, or windy.

If you experience any of the following cold-related emergencies remove wet clothing, wrap the body in blankets, drink warm beverages, if possible, take a warm bath to help raise body temperature and seek for medical help immediately.

Frostbite: The exposure to extremely cold temperatures may lead to a reduced blood flow to the extremities (hands, fingers, toes, feet) causing frostbite. We should be aware of the following signs:

• Cold skin, prickling feeling and numbness.
• Red, white, bluish-white or grayish-yellow skin.
• Hard or waxy-looking skin.
• Clumsiness due to joint and muscle stiffness.
• Blistering after rewarming when severe (expect exposed skin to peel off).
• If the skin turns black seek medical attention.
• It can cause the tissue to die which is called gangrene.

The temperatures near or below freezing are: 32°F or 0°C.

Other Important Winter Tips

Do not drink alcohol to keep you warm. For dairy farm employees, alcohol may seem like the perfect cold-weather beverage that creates a sensation of warmth and comfort.

Alcohol decreases core body temperature regardless of the temperature outside and will increase hypothermia risk. In this way, the feelings of warmth are momentary, and continued use of alcohol lead to intoxication and disorientation and also can lead to frostbite and/or fatal outcomes.

Check weather reports daily and get weather updates on your phone. Roads can quickly become slick and ice-covered while you are getting ready to leave the house or the work.

• US National Weather Service and customize your city and region.
• South Dakota Highway Patrol website for road updates.

On a snow day:

• Plan on Leaving earlier to get to work.
• Do not leave your vehicle if you get stuck, it provides shelter until rescue personnel can reach you.
• Drink enough water to stay hydrated.
• Keep cellphones charged.
• If you change your routine, notify a colleague or family member.
• Check on family and friends.

Getting to our jobs during a snow or ice storm can be stressful. Drive carefully, leave earlier and, when possible, do carpooling with your colleagues. Let’s go smart and make the most of winter, working comfortably and getting home safe and sound.

If you need a specific protocol or guidance for sharing with your employees and colleagues, let us know. We will be glad to help.

You may contact us:

• Maristela Rovai
• Luciana da Costa