BE PREPARED FOR OLD MAN WINTER

Be prepared for winter as old man winter will undoubtedly throw us a few curveballs over the next several months. With this in mind, I thought it would be a good idea to review a few cold related illnesses and preventive measures.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia occurs when normal body temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit as a result of low temperatures, brisk winds, or wet clothing that reduces body heat at a greater rate than it can be produced. These conditions will eventually exhaust the body’s stored energy. The body reacts to hypothermic conditions by displaying a number of symptoms including fatigue, drowsiness, uncontrolled shivering, slurred speech, clumsy movements or irritability, irrational behavior, or general confusion.

Persons displaying these symptoms will need immediate medical assistance. Until assistance arrives remove the person to a warm, dry area and remove wet clothing. Replace wet clothing and wrap the person in a blanket or other material t

hat will help retain body heat. Instruct them to move their legs and arms to generate heat and warm the body’s core. Warm beverages may also increase body temperature. Avoid caffeinated drinks which can lead to dehydration.

Frostbite

Frostbite is a condition in which the tissue below the skin freezes. Symptoms may include pale or waxy white skin and numbness. Frostbite usually affects extremities such as fingers, toes, feet, ears, and the nose. Frostbite can also permanently damage body tissue and in extreme cases lead to amputation.

Should a person display frostbite symptoms, move them to a warm and dry area immediately. Remove wet or constrictive clothing that reduces blood circulation. Avoid warming affected areas with heating pads, hot water, heat lamps, etc. Affected areas that are numb can be easily burned. It is also important to not rub affected areas. This can cause additional tissue damage.

Eliminating/Reducing Exposure

There are several strategies that can eliminate or reduce the potential for cold related illnesses and injuries. The most effective approach is selecting the right attire. Dressing in loose fitting layers allows a person to keep their core temperature constant. A person can remove layers to avoid overheating and add layers to retain heat. Today’s undergarments often use materials such as polypropylene and wool to allow moisture to pass through clothing rather than accumulate near the skin. This is often referred to as wicking. Cotton clothing does little to wick perspiration away from the skin. The skin in turn becomes moist and cold leading to rapid loss of body heat.

Other efforts that can help be prepared for winter include reducing exposure to cold related illnesses and injuries by taking frequent breaks to warm the body, performing work during the warmest part of the day, and eating frequently. Eating stimulates the digestive process and creates heat which warms a person’s core temperature.

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Joe Mlynek is a partner and subject matter expert at Safety Made Simple, LLC. He has over 25 years of experience in safety at the corporate level and as a consultant. He is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Occupational Safety and Health Technician (OHST). Joe can be reached at [email protected]

CONSIDER THESE FACTORS WHEN SELECTING ONLINE TRAINING CONTENT

The popularity of online training is at a record high. Many organizations are benefiting from this efficient and effective approach. When it comes to choosing the right type of content, it is important to consider several factors.

Course Length

A recent study indicated that the average attention span decreased by 50% over the last decade. Much of this can be attributed to the use of technology in our daily lives. Consider selecting courses that are approximately 10 to 20 minutes in length. Short concise courses improve the learner experience.

Literacy

According to a study performed by The Literacy Project, the average American reads at a 7th or 8th grade reading level. This will certainly vary based on a wide range of factors, but none the less, should be considered when choosing content. Information must be conveyed in a manner that is easily understood while taking languages, such as Spanish, into consideration.

Interactivity

It is important to ensure that online learning is engaging. There are several strategies used to increase engagement such as insertion of exercises or thought questions throughout the course. Simply pressing play and letting a course or video play without any interaction does little to engage the learner, improve retention, or keep their focus.

Testing

It is important to ensure and in many cases document that employees have requisite knowledge of the subject. Online courses should have a testing function that requires a predetermined passing score. Test questions should be a mix of true/false and multiple-choice questions that are relatable to the course learning objectives. Reinforcement should also be utilized. Reinforcement not only provides the correct answer to each question, but also adds additional relevant information relating to the question.

Relative Examples

Content that utilizes real-life examples that are industry specific in nature are far more impactful to the learner than generic content. Imagine that you work in the agriculture industry and are taking a course that reflects a manufacturing environment or vice versa.

Conclusion

There is a science to delivering online training content which balances many factors including course length, literacy levels, interactivity, testing, and relative information. Consider these factors when choosing the right content for your organization. It will result in a better learner experience.

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Joe Mlynek is a partner and subject matter expert at Safety Made Simple, LLC. He has over 25 years of experience in safety at the corporate level and as a consultant. He is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Occupational Safety and Health Technician (OHST). Joe can be reached at [email protected]