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Health and Safety Plan
<br /> 1319 & 1327 South Madison Street, Stockton, CA
<br /> 432770
<br /> Cold-Related Illness
<br /> Hypothermia; Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature falls to a level where normal
<br /> muscular and cerebral functions are impaired. Although it usually occurs in freezing air and water
<br /> temperatures, it can occur in any climate if a person's internal body temperature falls below
<br /> normal. Symptoms should not be ignored, and a supervisor should be notified as soon as
<br /> hypothermia is suspected.
<br /> Initially, symptoms may include shivering, an inability to do complex motor functions,
<br /> sluggishness and mild confusion as the body temperature drops to around 95 F. As the body
<br /> temperature falls, speech may become slurred, and behavior may be irrational, simple motor
<br /> functions may be difficult to do and a state of"dazed consciousness" may exist. In severe state
<br /> (below 90 F), heart rate, blood flow, and breathing will slow. Unconsciousness and full heart
<br /> failure can occur.
<br /> Hypothermia First Aid:
<br /> On/and:
<br /> • Call for emergency, and then help move the victim (unless other injuries prohibit their being
<br /> moved) to a warm, dry area and replace wet clothing with warm, dry clothing or a blanket.
<br /> Move the person carefully because movement can increase the irritability of the heart.
<br /> • If the person is conscious and lucid, warm liquids can be provided, but never alcohol or
<br /> caffeinated drinks. If possible, have them to move their arms and legs to create muscle heat.
<br /> • If the person is unconscious or unable to assist, place warm bottles/packs in the person's arm
<br /> pits, groin, neck and head areas.
<br /> • Do not rub the person's body or place them in warm water.
<br /> In water;
<br /> • Call for emergency help and get the victim out of the water. Move them carefully because
<br /> movement can increase the irritability of the heart.
<br /> • If it is you in the water, do not swim unless a floating object or person can be reached quickly
<br /> as swimming uses the body's heat and reduces survival time by about 50%.
<br /> • If you are in the water, conserve body heat by folding arms across the chest, keeping thighs
<br /> together, bending knees and crossing ankles, if another person is in the water with you,
<br /> huddle together.
<br /> • If you are in the water, do not remove clothing-button, buckle, zip, and tighten collars, cuffs,
<br /> shoes, and hoods as the water trapped next to the body provides a layer of insulation that
<br /> may slow the loss of heat.
<br /> Frostbite;Frostbite occurs when the skin literally freezes, and deep frostbite can affect deeper
<br /> tissues such as tendons and muscles. Frostbite usually occurs when temperatures drop below 30
<br /> F, but wind chill effects can cause frostbite at above-freezing temperatures. The ears, fingers,
<br /> toes, cheeks, and nose are the most commonly affected body parts. Initially, symptoms include
<br /> an uncomfortable sensation of coldness. Tingling, stinging or an aching feeling of the exposed
<br /> area is followed by numbness. Frostbitten areas appear white and cold to the touch and with
<br /> deeper frostbite, the area becomes numb, painless, and hard, and can turn black.
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