In Quebec, winter is unforgiving. But cold-related injuries are not inevitable: frostbite, hypothermia, and cold-related accidents can be prevented. Workplaces must take responsibility, and workers must have the information they need to protect themselves.
There are mornings when the cold no longer stings: it bites. Members who work outdoors know this better than anyone. Those in maintenance services who clear snow from entrances. Those who load trucks in icy yards. Those who spend their days in refrigerated warehouses, where there may be no wind, but where the dry air draws heat from the body minute after minute.
In these environments, cold is not “a normal working condition.” It is a real hazard. And too often, workplaces still rely on workers’ resilience rather than structured prevention measures. Yet the scientific evidence is clear: exposure to cold can cause serious injuries, sometimes with irreversible consequences.
When the Body Loses Heat: An Unforgiving Process
The human body works like a small thermal engine. It must maintain an internal temperature of 37°C for the heart, lungs, and brain to function normally. If the body loses more heat than it produces, that balance is disrupted.
The CNESST identifies three main factors:
- Temperature
- Wind, which strips away the thin layer of warm air that normally protects the skin
- Humidity, which accelerates heat loss through conduction and evaporation
Cold-Related Injuries: What Our Members Experience
Frostbite
Frostbite is probably the best-known cold-related injury, but it is often misunderstood. It usually appears first on the extremities: fingers, toes, ears, nose, and cheeks.
Signs to watch for:
- Tingling and numbness
- White or yellow patches on the skin
- Loss of sensation
- Hard, frozen, or waxy skin
- Blisters in more severe cases
Superficial frostbite can heal if treated quickly. Deep frostbite can lead to tissue destruction, gangrene, and, in some cases, amputation.
At -40°C, exposed skin can freeze in just 5 to 10 minutes.
Chilblains and Immersion Foot
These injuries can occur when working in cold, damp conditions, even when the temperature is above freezing. Workers who wear wet boots or remain still for long periods are particularly at risk.
The pain is often intense and burning. The foot may turn blue, become swollen, and develop blisters.
Hypothermia: The Most Insidious Danger
Hypothermia does not occur only during extreme storms. It can happen at temperatures above 0°C if clothing is wet or if a person remains still for a long period.
Signs include:
- Intense shivering
- Clumsiness and confusion
- Difficulty speaking
- Loss of coordination
- Concerning drowsiness
- Slowed pulse and breathing
Hypothermia is a life-threatening emergency. And the person experiencing it often does not realize how serious their condition has become.
Cold Makes Work More Dangerous. Period.
Beyond frostbite and hypothermia, cold also increases the risk of workplace accidents:
- Loss of dexterity when wearing gloves
- Impaired judgment
- Increased fatigue
- Slippery surfaces
- More difficult handling and lifting
- Tools that are difficult or impossible to use while wearing mittens
In some workplaces, working in cold conditions can also increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, particularly when combustion heaters are used in poorly ventilated areas.
Prevention Means Protecting Lives
Yes, dressing warmly is important. But the CNESST is clear: the primary responsibility lies with the employer.
Here are the measures every workplace should implement.
1. Workplace Adaptations
- Shelter workstations exposed to wind
- Provide accessible heated shelters
- Insulate handles and metal surfaces
- Heat indoor workplaces that are insufficiently warm
- Limit drafts in refrigerated warehouses
2. Work Organization
- Alternate between work and warm-up periods
- Schedule outdoor tasks during the least cold periods of the day
- Limit the duration of continuous exposure
- Establish a communication system for workers who work alone
- Reduce overly strenuous tasks to prevent excessive sweating
In some cases, work should simply be stopped: the official guidelines recommend suspending all non-urgent work when the wind chill reaches between -35 and -40.
3. Appropriate Clothing
- Wear several layers rather than a single layer
- Wear breathable fabric close to the body (avoid cotton)
- Wear a windproof and waterproof outer layer
- Wear insulated, slip-resistant boots
- Wear mittens rather than gloves when the work allows
- Fully protect the face when exposed skin could freeze within minutes
4. Information and Training
Workers must know how to:
- Recognize the signs of frostbite and hypothermia
- Protect their coworkers
- Respond quickly in an emergency
Cold Is Not an Unavoidable Enemy: It Is a Risk That Must Be Managed
UES 800 members work in some of the most exposed environments in Quebec. When a maintenance worker is required to clean an outdoor entrance at -32°C without access to a place to warm up, this is not simply an unavoidable consequence of the climate: it is a failure to ensure fairness and workplace safety.
When a refrigerated warehouse worker is not provided with appropriate clothing, it is not simply an oversight: it is a clear violation of the employer’s legal obligations.
And when teams spend eight hours outdoors with wet boots or without warm-up breaks, this is not simply “part of the job”: it is a dangerous situation that can lead to permanent disabilities.
Protecting workers from the cold is not a luxury. It is a fundamental right enshrined in Quebec’s Act Respecting Occupational Health and Safety.
Going Further: What SEU800 Recommends
Document dangerous situations: photos, dates, and temperatures
Request a risk assessment
Demand a winter prevention plan
Review work schedules, breaks, and the equipment provided
Above all, do not wait for a serious case of frostbite to occur before taking action
Translated into English by SEU800 from the original French-language press release.