14
area News
Continued from page 11 According to Environment Canada, there are six levels of health risks people face when prolonged exposure to various cold temperatures occurs. Using wind chill temperatures as parameters, they describe the concerns and what to do if they arise. Low risk exposure (0 to -9 degrees) will present itself as some discomfort to an individual. Staying dry and being dressed appropriately are the best way to combat a low wind chill exposure. A wind chill of -10 to -27 degrees poses a moderate risk level of exposure, which can increase the chance of hypothermia and frostbite occurring if someone is outside for long periods without proper protection. Dressing in layers with a wind resistant outer layer, hat, insulated mittens or gloves, and waterproof footwear will help protect the body. Staying dry and active while outside will also help combat long exposure. Exposed skin can freeze in as quickly as ten minutes when dealing with high risk wind chills (-28 to -39 degrees), people should watch for frostbite on the face and extremities
The Vermilion Voice | January 11, 2022 and be mindful of the increased risk of hypothermia at this level. Making sure exposed skin is covered, as well as following all the safety measures for moderate exposure can help keep the body safe. For both very high risk (a wind chill of -40 to -47) and severe risk (-48 to -54) exposed skin can freeze in less than five minutes, and hypothermia prevention needs to be a priority. Once the wind chill reaches -55 degrees, exposed skin has less than two minutes before frostbite sets in and Environment Canada states that being outside is hazardous, and people should stay indoors. How employers can help prevent the adverse effects of cold. Proper equipment design, safe working practices, and effective clothing can help reduce the risk of suffering from a cold injury. Recommendations from the ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) encourage utilizing these three factors to stay safe outside. Equipment design can be things as simple as covering metal handles and bars with thermal insu-
APPLICATION FOR THE LIVESTOCK FEED ASSISTANCE SECONDARY PAYMENT IS NOW OPEN It is based on the number of eligible female breeding animals you own as of December 31, 2021. Call us for assistance in determining the payment you may qualify for. Call us at 780-853-2922 or email: janet.adams@jmhadams.ca We Are Welcoming New Clients Other services we provide are: Financial statement preparation: Notice to Reader, Reviews, Audits Corporate or Personal tax preparation and filing Estate planning and corporate reorganizations Bookkeeping and GST preparation and filing
5135 50 Ave Vermilion, AB T9X 1A8
780-853-2922 jmhadams.ca
lating material. Tools and machines used should be set up in a way so that they can be operated without having to remove mittens or gloves. It is suggested that surveillance and monitoring should occur in colder workplaces, (temperatures below the freezing point), temperature should be monitored at least every 4 hours. For indoor workplaces, whenever the rate of air movement exceeds 2 meters per second (5 miles per hour) it should be recorded every 4 hours. In outdoor workplaces with air temperature below the freezing point, both air temperature and wind speed should be monitored regularly and recorded. An employer’s emergency procedures for providing first aid and obtaining medical care should be clearly communicated to all staff, and at least one trained person should be assigned the responsibility of attending to emergencies for each shift. Everyone involved with work in cold environments should be knowledgeable about the symptoms of adverse effects due to cold exposure, proper clothing habits, safe work practices, physical fitness requirements for work in cold, and emergency procedures in case of cold injury. While working in the cold, buddy systems are suggested. Look out for one another and be alert for the symptoms of hypothermia. Cold weather clothing. Protective clothing is recommended for work at or below 4°C. Factors such as temperature, weather conditions (e.g., wind speed, rain), the level and duration of activity, and job design are important to consider so that you can wear clothing that will help regulate the amount of heat and perspiration you generate while working. The goal is to prevent excessive sweating. If clothing next to the body becomes wet the ability of the clothing to insulate will diminish drastically, which will increase the risk of cold injuries. The CCOHS has the following guidelines and recommendations for dressing for winter weather: • 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. Having several layers also gives you the option to open or remove a layer before you get too warm and start sweating or to add a layer when you take a break. It also allows you to accommodate the level of activity, changing temperatures and weather conditions. Successive outer layers should be larger than the inner layer, otherwise the outermost layer will compress the inner layers and will decrease the insulation properties of the clothing. • The inner layer should provide insulation and be able to “wick” moisture away from the skin to help keep it dry. Thermal underwear made from polyesters or polypropylene is suitable for this purpose. Polypropylene wicks perspiration away from the skin. It also keeps the second layer away from the skin. • The additional layers of clothing should provide adequate insulation for the weather conditions. They should also be easy to open or remove before you get too warm to prevent excessive sweating during strenuous activity. Outer jackets should have the means for closing off and opening the waist, neck and wrists to help control how much heat is retained or given off. Some jackets have netted pockets and vents around the trunk and under the arm pits (with zippers or Velcro fasteners) for added ventilation possibilities. • For work in wet conditions, the outer layer of clothing should be waterproof. • If the work area cannot be shielded against wind, an easily removable windbreak garment should be used. • Under extremely cold conditions, heated protective clothing should be made available if the work cannot be done on a warmer day. • Wear a hat suitable for the conditions, including being able to keep the ears warm. If a hard hat is required, a knit cap or a liner under a hard hat can reduce excessive heat loss. Consult with the hard hat supplier or manufacturer for appropriate liners that do not compromise the protection provided by the hard hat. • Clothing should be kept clean since dirt fills air cells in fibres of clothing and destroys its insulating ability. Continued on page 15
Purebred Charolais Yearling And 2 Year Old Bulls Available
Creative Glass
Call Krista 780-853-1025 Sherwood Farms Custom Glass Showers
Aluminum Folding Sliding Doors
Creative Glass & Aluminum Ltd. • 6205 - 43 Street, Lloydminster, AB 780-874-9155 • www.creativeglass.co • Bernal Ulsifer - Owner/Manager
Family Farm Looking For Crop And Pasture Land To Rent
"Cash Rent" Crop & Cattle Share Considered Please Contact Scott at 780-853-7895 or Krista at 780-853-1025