Brutal winter weather has blanketed parts of the mid-west, causing temperatures to plummet and snow drifts to pile high. Dairy farmers and their employees, however, don’t have the luxury of skipping work for a snow day.
“Cold and snowy winters are a challenge for dairy workers, especially for those immigrants coming from warmer climates where the temperatures do not fall to single digits,” says Maristela Rovai, assistant professor and South Dakota State University Dairy Specialist.
To keep the bitter sting of Old Man Winter at bay, Rovai offers the following tips to help keep employees safe and warm.
Dress Warm
“When choosing what to wear, carefully select clothing that will not restrict movement,” Rovai says. “Wearing appropriate clothing, or layers of loose clothing, can provide better insulation for your body.”
Some examples of warm winter clothing include:
- Lined jackets
- Lined overalls
- Stocking caps / hats and lined gloves
- Long thermal underwear
- Lined boots – waterproof and anti-slip
- Wicking wool socks
- Scarf
Take Breaks
Before a storm hits, farmers will often double down on their work to make sure everything gets down. While it’s important to batten down the hatches ahead of a winter storm, it’s also important to push pause and take breaks.
Listen to your body and go inside when you need to warm up. The same can be said for farm employees. When working in the cold weather, offer snacks that are high in protein which will give their body more energy to keep warm throughout the day. Be sure to also supply beverages to help them stay hydrated and avoid beverages with caffeine and alcohol.
Work in Pairs
While farmers are already hard-pressed to find labor, working in pairs allows employees to get the job done quickly and safely. Using the buddy system ensures that every employee is accounted for. This is especially important for employees working in remote areas.
Know the Signs of Cold Stress
“Hypothermia and frostbite are both cold-related emergencies and considered as dangerous conditions that can happen when we are exposed to extremely cold temperatures,” Rovai says. “It is important to be aware that these conditions may quickly become life or limb threatening. Preventing cold-related emergencies includes knowledge and action.”
Signs of Hypothermia:
- Fast and shallow breathing / trouble breathing.
- Going from shivering to not shivering.
- Hunger, fatigue and confusion.
- Lack of coordination.
- Increased heart rate.
- Weak pulse.
- Slurred speech / mumbling.
- Dizziness and nausea.
Signs of Frostbite:
- Cold skin, prickling feeling and numbness.
- Red, white, bluish-white or grayish-yellow skin.
- Hard or waxy-looking skin.
- Clumsiness due to joint and muscle stiffness.
- Blistering after rewarming when severe (expect exposed skin to peel off).
- If the skin turns black seek medical attention.
- It can cause the tissue to die which is called gangrene.
