Safety Manual | 2022

BL Companies // Corporate Safety Manual //

Scope This Section applies to all field activities and all those Employees involved in field activities. Policy BL Companies recognizes that work must be performed in various weather conditions, including cold climates. In order to minimize cold related illnesses and injuries, site supervisors will be made aware of the symptoms of cold stress and the environmental conditions that lead to cold- related illnesses and/or injuries, and the steps necessary to prevent their occurrence. Cold, Frostbite and Hypothermia Cold injury (frostbite and hypothermia) and impaired ability to work are dangers at low temperatures, when clothing is wet, and when the wind-chill factor is low. Persons working outdoors or in non-heated structures in temperatures at or below freezing may be frostbitten. Extreme cold for a short period of time may cause severe injury to exposed body surfaces or result in profound generalized cooling and cause death. Areas of the body that have high surface area-to-volume ratios, such as fingers, toes and ears are the most susceptible. Two (2) factors influence the development of a cold injury: ambient temperature and the velocity of the wind. Wind chill is used to describe the chilling effect of moving air in combination with low temperature. As a general rule, the greatest incremental increase in wind chill occurs when a wind of 5 mph increases to 10 mph. Additionally, water conducts heat 240 times faster than air. Thus, the body cools suddenly when protective equipment is removed if the clothing underneath is perspiration soaked. Local injury resulting from cold is included in the generic term frostbite. There are several degrees of damage. Frostbite of the extremities can be categorized into: · Frost nip or incipient frostbite: Characterized by suddenly blanching or whiting of the skin. · Superficial frostbite: Skin has a waxy or white appearance and is firm to the touch, but tissue beneath is resilient. · Deep frostbite: Tissues are cold, pale, and solid. This is an extremely serious injury. Systemic hypothermia is caused by exposure to freezing or rapidly dropping temperature. Its symptoms are usually exhibited in five (5) stages:

There are four (4) levels of heat stress that Employees should be aware of. The following summarizes the four (4) levels of heat stress, their symptoms, and treatment: Heat Rash: The inflammation and clogging of the sweat ducts due to overexposure to heat. Symptoms: Appearance of small red vesicles on the skin. Treatment: Keep affected areas dry. Heat Cramps: An electrolyte imbalance in the body resulting from inadequate replacement of salt in the body after over- exposure to heat. Symptoms: Uncontrolled spasms and cramps in muscles, especially in the abdomen. Treatment: Consume clear juice or sports beverage. Heat Exhaustion: Mild shock caused by insufficient water and/or salt when exposed to heat for an extended period of time. Symptoms: Fatigue, dizziness, weakness, nausea, clammy skin and paleness. Treatment: Go to a cool environment, consume plenty of water or other cool, nonalcoholic beverages. Heat Stroke: Dangerous rise in body temperature caused by dehydration and/or lack of salt intake. Symptoms: Nausea, headache, dizziness, delirium, hot and dry skin, and coma. Treatment: Go to a cool environment, immerse victim in cold/iced water, fan, and seek medical attention. If heat stroke does occur, a doctor should be called immediately. The person should be moved to a cool place. Ice packs or cold water will help cool down him/her until an ambulance arrives. Purpose Fieldwork conducted by the Company can expose Employees to the elements. Care must be taken to assure that weather conditions do not compromise health or safety. There are a number of steps that can be taken, either alone or in combination with others, to reduce and control the hazards of cold-related illnesses or injuries in the workplace. These guidelines are designed to aid in that task. The purpose of this Section is to describe the causes, symptoms, treatment and/or prevention of cold-related illness and injuries. 7.5 Cold Stress

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