Going to World of Concrete: Get your PPE there
Attendees at the World of Concrete 2004 in Orlando can once again stop by the International Safety Equipment Association’s (ISEA) Safety Station and get free personal protection equipment. Sponsoring manufacturers will be handing out safety glasses, earplugs and respirators as well as safety information.

The station will be located near the demo areas. The equipment will help protect those wearing it from high noise levels, flying chips and dust that’s a part of the new equipment demonstrations.

Work in cold temperatures? 
Here’s your frostbite risk
According to OSHA reports, when skin suffers frostbite, the deep layers of the skin and tissue actually freeze. It usually affects the fingers, hands, toes, feet and nose. It appears as a pale, waxy-white skin color. The skin becomes hard and numb.

A frostbite victim must be moved to a warm, dry area. Don’t leave the person alone and remove any wet or tight clothing that may cut off blood flow to the affected area.

Do not rub the affected area because rubbing frostbitten areas can damage the skin and tissue. Gently place the affected area in a warm (105 F) water bath and slowly warm the tissue.

Don’t pour warm water directly on the affected area. it will warm the tissue too fast and cause tissue damage. Warming takes about 25 to 40 minutes.

After the affected area has been warmed, it may become puffy and blister and may have a burning feeling or numbness. When the skin’s feeling returns to normal and movement and skin color have returned, the affected area should be dried and wrapped to keep it warm.

If there is a chance the affected area may get cold again, do not warm the skin. If the skin is warmed and then becomes cold again, it will cause severe tissue damage. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Cold weather help
OSHA has developed a helpful handout on frostbite and hypothermia, which explains the symptoms, treatments and how to prevent them. Go to www.osha.gov/pls/publications/pubindex.list and click on publication no. 3156, “Cold Stress Card” or contact: U.S. Department of Labor/OSHA, OSHA Publications, P.O. Box 37535 Washington, D.C. 20013-7535. Or call (202) 693-1888 or fax your request to (202) 693-2498.

Published in the January/February 2004 issue of Contractor Tools and Supplies magazine.

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