What kinds of injuries are associated with winter storms?
According to national Weather Service about 70 percent of injuries during winter storms result from vehicle accidents, and about 25 percent of injuries result from being caught out in the storm. Some of the hazards associated with working in winter storms include: – Driving accidents due to slippery roadways – Carbon monoxide poisoning – Slips and falls due to slippery walkways – Hypothermia and frostbite due to cold weather exposure – Being struck by falling objects such as icicles, tree limbs and utility poles – Electrocution due to downed power lines or downed objects in contact with power lines – Falls from heights (e.g. falls from roofs while removing snow ) – Roof collapse under weight of snow – Exhaustion from working extended shifts – Dehydration – Back injuries or heart attacks What is frostbite? Frostbite is a severe reaction to cold exposure that causes freezing in the deep layers of skin and tissue. Frostbite can cause permanent damage. It is recognizable by a loss of feeli
