A cold environment challenges the worker in three ways:

寒冷的環(huán)境對工人的影響來自三個方面：

·???????? air temperature

·???????? 空氣溫度

·???????? air movement due to wind

·???????? 由風所引起的空氣運動

·???????? air humidity

·???????? 空氣濕度

In order to work safely, these challenges have to be counterbalanced?by:

為了能夠安全的進行工作，我們需要通過以下途徑來應對這些影響：

·???????? proper insulation of protective clothing

·???????? 適當的絕緣防護服

·???????? physical activity

·???????? 身體活動

·???????? controlled exposure to cold by a work and rest schedule.

·???????? 通過合理安排作息日程表來控制暴露在寒冷環(huán)境的時間。

Moreover, working conditions can be more dangerous due to the presence of snow or of ice on the roads and on the pathways.

此外，當道路上有雪或者有冰時，工作條件會更加危險。

At any temperature, the sensation of cold is higher when the wind speed increases. The combined effect of cold air and wind speed is expressed as wind-chill temperature. It gives a correspondence between the actual temperature with its conditions of wind and a temperature that would have the same effects without any wind.

當溫度一定時，風速越大，人們就感覺越寒冷。因此，人們用風寒溫度來表示冷空氣和風速的綜合影響。如下表所示，實際溫度和風力的綜合影響與無風時某一溫度的影響存在著一一對應的關系。

(Figures from French National Institute of Research on Safety, INRS)

（數據來自法國國家安全研究所）

It means that:

從圖中我們可以看到：

·???????? as soon as wind-chill temperature is less than - 5 degrees there is a slight risk.

·???????? 當風寒溫度低于零下5攝氏度時，屬于輕微危險。

·???????? as soon as wind-chill temperature is less than – 25 degrees there is a moderated risk, for instance with a temperature of -15 degrees and a wind speed over 30 km/s

·???????? 當風寒溫度低于零下25攝氏度時，屬于中度危險，例如，當空氣溫度為零下15攝氏度，風速高于30 km/s時。

·???????? as soon as wind chill temperature is less than – 40 degrees there is a high risk for instance with a temperature of -25 degrees and a wind speed over 40 km/s

·???????? 當風寒溫度低于零下40攝氏度時，屬于高度危險，例如，當空氣溫度為零下25攝氏度，風速高于40 km/s時。

·???????? as soon as wind-chill temperature is less than -55 degrees there is an immediate danger.

·???????? 當風寒溫度低于零下55攝氏度時，屬于非常危險。

For continuous work in temperatures below zero degree, heated warming rest rooms should be available. The work should be studied to avoid excessive sweating. Proper rest periods in a warm area should be allowed.

對于低于零攝氏度環(huán)境下的連續(xù)工作，需要配有加熱保暖的休息室。在工作中要學會避免過度出汗。應當允許在溫暖的區(qū)域進行適當的休息。

The risk of cold injury can be minimized by proper equipment design, safe work practices and appropriate clothing:

通過正確的裝備設計、安全工作實踐和妥當的衣著，可以把寒冷損傷的危險降到最低。

·???????? Equipment Design: For work below the freezing point, metal handles and bars should be covered by thermal insulating material. Also, machines and tools should be designed so that they can be operated without having to remove mittens or gloves

·???????? 裝備設計：對于冰點溫度以下的工作，應使用絕熱材料覆蓋金屬把手和欄桿。同樣，在設計機器和工具時，應保證在操作時不需要脫掉手套。

·???????? Surveillance and Monitoring: When outdoor temperature is below the freezing point, temperature and air speed should be monitored at least every 4 hours.

·???????? 溫度檢測：當室外溫度低于冰點時，應至少每四小時檢測一次溫度和風速。

·???????? Emergency Procedures: Procedures for providing first aid and obtaining medical care should be clearly outlined. For each shift, at least one trained person should be assigned the responsibility of attending to emergencies.

·???????? 緊急應變程序：明確闡述急救和獲得醫(yī)療保健的程序。每個班組都應至少有一個受過緊急情況培訓的人。

·???????? Training: Workers and supervisors involved with work in cold environments should be informed about symptoms of adverse effect exposure to cold, proper clothing habits, safe work practices, physical fitness requirements for work in cold, and emergency procedures in case of cold injury. While working in cold, a buddy system should be used. Look out for one another and be alert for the symptoms of hypothermia.

·???????? 培訓：在寒冷環(huán)境下工作的員工和管理者應當了解暴露在寒冷天氣里的不良癥狀、正確的穿衣習慣、安全工作實踐、寒冷環(huán)境中工作的體能要求以及寒冷凍傷后的緊急應變程序等。當在寒冷條件下工作時，應當使用兩人同行制，各負責另一人的安全，以警惕發(fā)生低溫癥狀。

·???????? PPE for working in the cold : Protective clothing is needed for work below 4°C. Clothing should be selected to suit the temperature, weather conditions, the level and duration of activity, and job design. Clothing should be worn in multiple layers which provide better protection than a single thick garment. The air between layers of clothing provides better insulation than the clothing itself.

·???????? 個人防護裝備：在低于4攝氏度下工作時，需要穿著防護服。在防護服的選擇上應考慮到溫度、天氣情況、勞動程度、持續(xù)時間以及工作設計。相對只穿一件厚衣服來說，穿多層衣服可以得到更好的保護。各層衣服間的空氣所起到的隔熱作用要超過衣服本身。

Uncomfortably cold working conditions can lead to lower work efficiency and higher accident rates. Cold impairs the performance of complex mental tasks. Manual tasks are also impaired because the sensitivity and dexterity of fingers are reduced in the cold. At even lower temperatures, the cold affects the deeper muscles resulting in reduced muscular strength and stiffened joints. Mental alertness is reduced due to cold-related discomfort. For all these reasons accidents are more likely to occur in very cold working conditions. Women are generally at a greater risk of cold injury than men. Diseases of the blood circulation system, fatigue, consumption of alcohol or some medications, smoking can increase the risks.

不幸的是，寒冷的工作條件不僅使工作效率降低，還會增加發(fā)生事故的幾率。寒冷會削弱復雜的腦力勞動的表現。手工勞動同樣會受到影響，因為寒冷會降低手指的靈敏度和靈活性。當溫度更低時，寒冷甚至會影響到更深的肌肉，致使肌肉力量降低和關節(jié)僵硬。寒冷帶來的不適會降低神經的警覺性。基于上述原因，在非常寒冷的條件下是很容易發(fā)生事故的。女性比男性更容易受到寒冷損傷。血液循環(huán)系統的疾病、疲勞、酒精或服用某些藥物、吸煙都使上述風險增大。