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AECOM 4.6.5 Employees handling evaporative liquid (gasoline, alcohol, or cleaning fluids)at air temperatures below 40°F should take special precautions to avoid soaking of clothing or gloves with the liquids because of the added danger of cold injury due to evaporative cooling. Special note should be taken of the particularly acute effects of splashes of"cryogenic fluids"or those liquids with a boiling point that is just above ambient temperature. 4.6.6 Trauma sustained in freezing or subzero conditions requires special attention, because an injured employee is predisposed to cold injury. Special provisions should be made to prevent hypothermia and freezing of damaged tissue in addition to providing for first aid treatment. 4.7 Hypothermia in Water 4.7.1 Loss of body heat heat to the water is a major cause of deaths in boating and working near water incidents. Often the cause of death is listed as drowning; however,the primary cause is often hypothermia. It should also be noted that alcohol lowers the body temperature around 2 to 3 degrees by dilating the blood vessels. Do not drink alcohol around cold water.The following table shows the effects of hypothermia in water: WATER TEMPERATURE EXHAUSTION SURVIVAL TIME 32.5°F (0°C) Under 15 minutes Under 15 to 45 minutes 32.5 to 40°F (0 to 4°C) 15 to 30 minutes 30 to 90 minutes 40 to 50°F (4 to 10°C) 30 to 60 minutes 1 to 3 hours 50 to 60°F (10 to 16°C) 1 to 2 hours 1 to 6 hours 60 to 70°F (16 to 21°C) 2 to 7 hours 2 to 40 hours 70 to 80°F (21 to 27°C) 3 to 12 hours 3 hours to indefinite Over 80°F (27°C) Indefinite Indefinite 4.7.2 Some points to remember when water is a potential hazard: • Wear a personal flotation device when drowning is a potential hazard. Refer to S3AM-315-PR1 Working On or Near Water, and S3AM-333-PRI Marine Safety& Vessel Operations. • If the water is less than 50°F (10°C), wear a wet suit or dry suit for work in water(e.g.,wading, or if a significant potential to fall in water exists). • While in the water, do not attempt to swim unless to reach nearby safety. Unnecessary swimming increases the rate of body heat loss. Keep the head out of the water. This will increase survival time. • Keep a positive attitude about rescue.This will increase chances of survival. • If there is more than one person in the water, huddling is recommended to conserve body heat. 4.7.3 If an employee or equipment is to work on ice and the water beneath the ice is or may be more than 3'/4 feet(1 m)deep at any point: • Test the ice prior to commencing to ensure it will support the load to be placed on it. Ongoing testing may be necessary. • If there is any risk of falling through the ice employees must wear personal protective equipment that will ensure buoyancy and protect against hypothermia at all times while on the ice. 4.8 Work-Warming Regimen 4.8.1 If work is performed continuously in the cold at an equivalent chill temperature(ECT)at or below 19°F (-71C), heated warming shelters(tents, cabins, rest rooms, etc.)should be made available nearby. The employees should be encouraged to use these shelters at regular intervals; the frequency will depend on the severity of the environmental exposure. Refer to S3AM-112-ATT1 Temperature Thresholds for guidance. Cold Stress (S3AM-112-PR1) Revision 2 July 31,2019 PRINTED COPIES ARE UNCONTROLLED. CONTROLLED COPY IS AVAILABLE ON COMPANY INTRANET. 8 of 9