A cold environment challenges the worker in three ways:

寒冷的环境对工人的影响来自三个方面：

·         air temperature

·         空气温度

·         air movement due to wind

·         由风所引起的空气运动

·         air humidity

·         空气湿度

In order to work safely, these challenges have to be counterbalanced by:

为了能够安全的进行工作，我们需要通过以下途径来应对这些影响：

·         proper insulation of protective clothing

·         适当的绝缘防护服

·         physical activity

·         身体活动

·         controlled exposure to cold by a work and rest schedule.

·         通过合理安排作息日程表来控制暴露在寒冷环境的时间。

Moreover, working conditions can be more dangerous due to the presence of snow or of ice on the roads and on the pathways.

此外，当道路上有雪或者有冰时，工作条件会更加危险。

At any temperature, the sensation of cold is higher when the wind speed increases. The combined effect of cold air and wind speed is expressed as wind-chill temperature. It gives a correspondence between the actual temperature with its conditions of wind and a temperature that would have the same effects without any wind.

当温度一定时，风速越大，人们就感觉越寒冷。因此，人们用风寒温度来表示冷空气和风速的综合影响。如下表所示，实际温度和风力的综合影响与无风时某一温度的影响存在着一一对应的关系。

(Figures from French National Institute of Research on Safety, INRS)

（数据来自法国国家安全研究所）

It means that:

从图中我们可以看到：

·         as soon as wind-chill temperature is less than - 5 degrees there is a slight risk.

·         当风寒温度低于零下5摄氏度时，属于轻微危险。

·         as soon as wind-chill temperature is less than – 25 degrees there is a moderated risk, for instance with a temperature of -15 degrees and a wind speed over 30 km/s

·         当风寒温度低于零下25摄氏度时，属于中度危险，例如，当空气温度为零下15摄氏度，风速高于30 km/s时。

·         as soon as wind chill temperature is less than – 40 degrees there is a high risk for instance with a temperature of -25 degrees and a wind speed over 40 km/s

·         当风寒温度低于零下40摄氏度时，属于高度危险，例如，当空气温度为零下25摄氏度，风速高于40 km/s时。

·         as soon as wind-chill temperature is less than -55 degrees there is an immediate danger.

·         当风寒温度低于零下55摄氏度时，属于非常危险。

For continuous work in temperatures below zero degree, heated warming rest rooms should be available. The work should be studied to avoid excessive sweating. Proper rest periods in a warm area should be allowed.

对于低于零摄氏度环境下的连续工作，需要配有加热保暖的休息室。在工作中要学会避免过度出汗。应当允许在温暖的区域进行适当的休息。

The risk of cold injury can be minimized by proper equipment design, safe work practices and appropriate clothing:

通过正确的装备设计、安全工作实践和妥当的衣着，可以把寒冷损伤的危险降到最低。

·         Equipment Design: For work below the freezing point, metal handles and bars should be covered by thermal insulating material. Also, machines and tools should be designed so that they can be operated without having to remove mittens or gloves

·         装备设计：对于冰点温度以下的工作，应使用绝热材料覆盖金属把手和栏杆。同样，在设计机器和工具时，应保证在操作时不需要脱掉手套。

·         Surveillance and Monitoring: When outdoor temperature is below the freezing point, temperature and air speed should be monitored at least every 4 hours.

·         温度检测：当室外温度低于冰点时，应至少每四小时检测一次温度和风速。

·         Emergency Procedures: Procedures for providing first aid and obtaining medical care should be clearly outlined. For each shift, at least one trained person should be assigned the responsibility of attending to emergencies.

·         紧急应变程序：明确阐述急救和获得医疗保健的程序。每个班组都应至少有一个受过紧急情况培训的人。

·         Training: Workers and supervisors involved with work in cold environments should be informed about symptoms of adverse effect exposure to cold, proper clothing habits, safe work practices, physical fitness requirements for work in cold, and emergency procedures in case of cold injury. While working in cold, a buddy system should be used. Look out for one another and be alert for the symptoms of hypothermia.

·         培训：在寒冷环境下工作的员工和管理者应当了解暴露在寒冷天气里的不良症状、正确的穿衣习惯、安全工作实践、寒冷环境中工作的体能要求以及寒冷冻伤后的紧急应变程序等。当在寒冷条件下工作时，应当使用两人同行制，各负责另一人的安全，以警惕发生低温症状。

·         PPE for working in the cold : Protective clothing is needed for work below 4°C. Clothing should be selected to suit the temperature, weather conditions, the level and duration of activity, and job design. 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.

·         个人防护装备：在低于4摄氏度下工作时，需要穿着防护服。在防护服的选择上应考虑到温度、天气情况、劳动程度、持续时间以及工作设计。相对只穿一件厚衣服来说，穿多层衣服可以得到更好的保护。各层衣服间的空气所起到的隔热作用要超过衣服本身。

Uncomfortably cold working conditions can lead to lower work efficiency and higher accident rates. Cold impairs the performance of complex mental tasks. Manual tasks are also impaired because the sensitivity and dexterity of fingers are reduced in the cold. At even lower temperatures, the cold affects the deeper muscles resulting in reduced muscular strength and stiffened joints. Mental alertness is reduced due to cold-related discomfort. For all these reasons accidents are more likely to occur in very cold working conditions. Women are generally at a greater risk of cold injury than men. Diseases of the blood circulation system, fatigue, consumption of alcohol or some medications, smoking can increase the risks.

不幸的是，寒冷的工作条件不仅使工作效率降低，还会增加发生事故的几率。寒冷会削弱复杂的脑力劳动的表现。手工劳动同样会受到影响，因为寒冷会降低手指的灵敏度和灵活性。当温度更低时，寒冷甚至会影响到更深的肌肉，致使肌肉力量降低和关节僵硬。寒冷带来的不适会降低神经的警觉性。基于上述原因，在非常寒冷的条件下是很容易发生事故的。女性比男性更容易受到寒冷损伤。血液循环系统的疾病、疲劳、酒精或服用某些药物、吸烟都使上述风险增大。