Heat Illness & Cold Stress
Cold Stress &
Winter Site Safety
Winter Site Safety
OSHA General Duty Clause · OSHA Cold Stress Guide · NYC DOB Winter Safety Requirements
New York City winters are brutal — wind chill off the Hudson can drop the apparent temperature below 0°F while workers are exposed on open decks, exterior scaffolds, and roofing operations. Cold stress is a serious and under-recognized hazard on NYC construction sites from November through March.
Cold Stress Conditions — Know the Signs
- Frostnip: Redness, tingling, numbness in exposed skin (ears, nose, fingers, toes). Rewarm immediately — do not rub
- Frostbite: White/grayish-yellow waxy skin, loss of feeling, blistering. Medical emergency — call 911, move to warm area, do NOT walk on frostbitten feet
- Hypothermia (EMERGENCY): Core temp falls below 95°F. Signs: intense shivering (or stopped shivering — dangerous), confusion, slurred speech, loss of coordination. Call 911. Rewarm gently — no hot liquids, no rubbing
Dressing for NYC Winters — Layering System
- Base layer: Moisture-wicking synthetic or wool — absorbs sweat away from skin. NEVER cotton — cotton kills in cold
- Insulating layer: Fleece or down — traps warm air
- Outer layer: Wind- and water-resistant shell that breathes
- Insulated, waterproof boots with steel toes; wool socks
- Hat covering ears; balaclava or neck gaiter; insulated work gloves rated to ≤ 20°F
Winter Site Hazards Beyond Cold
- Carbon monoxide: Salamanders, propane heaters, and diesel generators in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces produce lethal CO. Ventilation required — CO monitors on all enclosed heated areas
- Ice and snow on walking surfaces: Immediately sand/salt all walking surfaces, ladders, scaffold platforms, and stairways. Report icy conditions to the SSM — work may need to pause
- Tool and material degradation: Concrete freezes below 32°F; power tool cords become brittle; scaffold planks become slippery. Inspect before each use
NYC DOB Winter Requirements
- Heating shanties required when temperature drops below 40°F — only approved heating devices (no open-flame kerosene heaters without proper ventilation)
- Weekly shanty inspection logged in PL-013 (Shanty Weekly Log) — heating device compliance is a specific inspection item
- All heating fuel stored per FDNY regulations — no more than one day's supply in the shanty
- Scaffold snow and ice removal required before any workers access platform — SSM must document in PL-001
Discussion Questions
- A worker stops shivering but seems confused and wants to just sit down and rest in the cold. What does this signal?
- Why is cotton the wrong choice for a base layer in cold weather?
- Name two carbon monoxide sources on winter construction sites. What mitigation is required?
- Before your crew accesses a scaffold platform after an overnight freeze, what must happen?
Sign-Off
Project Address
Date
Time
Foreman / Supervisor
SSM / SSC Name & License No.
Worker Attendance
| # | Worker Name (Print) | Signature |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||
| 2 | ||
| 3 | ||
| 4 | ||
| 5 | ||
| 6 | ||
| 7 | ||
| 8 | ||
| 9 | ||
| 10 | ||
| 11 | ||
| 12 | ||
| 13 | ||
| 14 | ||
| 15 | ||
| 16 | ||
| 17 | ||
| 18 | ||
| 19 | ||
| 20 |