For those whose jobs require them to work outside in the cold winter months, keeping warm and safe is paramount. As the body pulls blood into its core to keep the internal organs warm, it withdraws blood from the extremities, making them more prone to injury, be it frostbite and chilblain, or accidents due to lack of dexterity.
Employees have the right to take ten-minute warm up breaks every two hours in cold temperatures. Workers in the fields of sanitation, agriculture, construction, transportation, outdoor recreation, and any other positions that require the employee to be outside for extended periods of time must be aware of their right to stay safe. Furthermore, it is the employer’s duty to communicate these dangers involved in cold-weather work and to inform the employees of preventative measures that can be taken to combat the cold.
If you have been injured on the job due to cold weather conditions, contact McCready Law. Call (773) 779-9885 today for a free consultation.