Working in a cold environment whether it be cold weather, cold water, or an indoor freezer — is part of the job for many British Columbia workers. One of the major hazards you face when working in the cold is losing your body heat. If your body becomes so cold that it can no longer produce more heat than it loses, you are becoming a victim of hypothermia. With hypothermia, your vital organs and body systems begin to lose their ability to function. Hypothermia often happens so slowly that you don’t realize you‘re in danger.
That’s why it’s important to be able to recognize the early signs. If untreated, hypothermia can lead to death. This pamphlet gives you a basic understanding of when and why hypothermia occurs. It tells you how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of harmful exposure to cold. It also tells you how to recognize the onset of hypothermia and how to treat victims of hypothermia.
