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As the body works in overdrive to generate body heat, the blood vessels begin to constrict, making it harder for the blood to get to the heart. Blood pressure becomes elevated, increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke. In cold environments, workers may find tasks such as lifting more difficult as they’re not only trying to produce energy to complete the task, but their body is trying to produce enough energy to regulate its temperature.

This fluctuation of expenditure energy (total energy cost of maintaining constant conditions in the body plus the energy cost of physical activities) can be harmful to the aging workforce, as some may have conditions currently impacting their heart health.

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Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when the body’s temperature reaches below 95° F (35° C), caused by prolonged exposure to very cold temperatures. When this happens, the body uses its stored heat to keep organs functioning and continues losing heat faster than the body can produce it.

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In this blog, we’ll share two factors that put the aging workforce at risk during winter so that you can be aware and protect your workers.

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Although a person’s response to working in cold temperatures will vary from person to person no matter their age, prolonged exposure to cold conditions can be devasting for anyone. Actions to protect the worker from the hazardous cold environment are essential.

Working in cold environment conditions affects every worker to some degree, but there are certain populations that are at higher risk to cold-related injuries or conditions: those with a predisposed medical condition susceptible to cold injury, and those of the aging population.

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As we face the rest of the winter ahead, keep workers of all ages healthy and warm by ensuring that considerations for the cold are included in employee work environments.

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The inability to maintain normal body temperature comes at a cost. Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia especially dangerous, because a person may not know that it’s happening to them.

Studies have shown that cardiovascular issues arise more during the winter months due to the heart needing to work harder to generate body heat.

During the body’s exposure to cold elements, blood flow is redirected to the vital organs, which is why cold hands are usually one of the first signs indicating that the body is cold. This redirected path of blood flow can have negative impacts on the body, as adequate blood supply is essential for proper soft tissue functioning. As the blood leaves the hands, workers may find it more difficult to grip things or handle objects, which may result in the development of carpal tunnel, strains/sprains, or tendonitis.

Muscle mass already decreases between 3% to 8% after the age of thirty, with the additional factor of cold temperature, members of the aging workforce are especially at risk of sustaining a musculoskeletal disorder increase. In addition to challenges with handling items, the reduction of blood flow can make muscles stiff; therefore, reducing the flexibility/range of motion and possibility leading to a muscular strain.

Now that many of us are in the chilling depths of winter, it’s important to remember how working in cold environments impacts workers and employees, especially those of older age.