more on hazardous material

FOLLOWUP TO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Jerry,

While not exactly the same "Wet Feet" that you are talking about I thought you might like to hear what the U.S. Army found back in 1967. Men of the 9th Infantry Division did a lot of their operations in parts of the Mekong Delta, moving thru rice paddies and swampy areas, where their feet were wet for days on end. They were wearing Jungle Boots, but constantly immersed in water. I was in Ranger School in the Florida phase (swamps) and a bunch of technicians and Doctors arrived and would take scrapping from between our toes for the study. They were looking for something that soldiers could put on their feet that would at least delay foot problems from the constant immersion. It was funny to see men who had not bathed for a week or more, trying to "Chat Up" several of the attractive female Doctors. At the end of the study it was determined that after a week or so in the field, it would be necessary to have the soldiers stay out of the field for about the same time and just wear Flip Flop shower shoes until their feet recovered. Some of them lived on shore in base camps, other lived on big Navy ships, converted to barracks, anchored in the deeper parts of the Mekong River. Still I am sure that some of those soldiers still have foot problems today because of the constant immersion in water that they experienced 50 years ago. Like having a cold weather injury to your feet, it does not go away.

Happy New Year and Best Wishes for 2018.

John

It is interesting to learn that the Army has been working on what to do with wet feet since the 1960’s. Maybe, just maybe someone will learn about Lamilite socks and Lamilite insulated boots at their testing facility.

The following article is taken from “uniform market news” publication.

Dressing properly is key for protecting workers during the cold winter months

WILMINGTON, Mass. — As the winter season begins, keeping outdoor workers safe from falling air temperatures is a priority for many businesses across the country, even in regions that are not accustomed to frigid winter weather. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), exposing workers to extreme cold, near freezing temperatures, wet conditions, and wind chill are all considered risk factors for “cold stress.”

I tried to research a specific meaning for “cold stress” but found there was nothing specific. The body does stress when it is subject to cold without the ability to get warm. Then of course you develop mental stress directly resulting from the physical cold stressing the body.

Cold stress occurs when a person’s skin temperature decreases, and eventually the internal body temperature along with it. When the body is unable to warm itself, serious cold-related illnesses and injuries may occur, along with the potential for permanent tissue damage and even death. The most common types of cold stress include hypothermia, frostbite, and trench foot.

I find it very interesting the reference to trench foot. The other ailments are well known. Having cold wet feet does bring on trench foot. I wonder if people who have been wearing boots that have a goretex film or the like have developed trench foot in the civilian world. I did have a retired Marine Lt. tell me he had trench foot while deployed to Afghanistan. I did not ask for particulars at the time, but it could have been during the winter months there. I wonder how many of our soldiers have also had the ailment. If it happened to one there must be more.

Colder temperatures can affect any outdoor worker exposed for extended periods, including those who work in facility management, snow cleanup, construction, electric utilities, and roadside-related. Other workers who could be affected include those working in transit, baggage handling, water transportation, landscaping services, and oil and gas operations. Cold stress can also be brought on when outdoor workers return to work after a long absence, or for others who are new to the job, as their bodies may not be as accustomed to the weather conditions.

The above first sentence is true if the worker is not properly dressed for the environment. I believe that is the case of most outdoor workers. They are not dressed properly because the companies that market cold weather apparel do not know if their garments are actually good for “cold” weather use. The fact that they say it does not make it a true statement.

Even workers in warmer climates (above freezing) can be exposed to the effects of cold stress from increased and sustained wind speeds, which can cause heat to leave the body more rapidly (wind chill effect). Wetness or dampness caused by precipitation and body sweat can also facilitate heat loss from the body.

Wetness/dampness regardless of source if it is on your skin it will facilitate heat loss and very quickly.

Dressing properly, including selecting garments constructed with protective fabrics if applicable, is one of the best ways for businesses to help prevent cold stress from affecting their workers. “Cotton, for example, is not always the best choice for outdoor workers since it can lose its warming value when it becomes wet from either inclement weather or perspiration. Instead, outdoor workers are often better protected when wearing other fabric options, such as those with built-in technology to wick away moisture, helping keep wearers warm and dry all day long,” says Adam Soreff, director of marketing and communications at UniFirst Corporation (NYSE:UNF), a North American leader in providing customized work uniform programs, corporate attire, and facility service products. “A managed workwear program can take the worry out of ensuring workers are properly dressed for the elements during the winter season, helping defend them from cold stress, and keeping them on the job, happy, and productive.”

Dressing properly is mandatory if you want to stay warm while working outside in cold weather. They do not offer any guidance other than to say cotton when wet is not good or wear garments with “built-in technology to wick away moisture”. They at OSHA and this fellow Soreff do not know that cotton is excellent at wicking moisture and there are no fabrics that have built in technology to wick away moisture. The only tried and true method for “allowing” moisture to freely move from your body away from you so you “do” stay warm and dry is wearing fishnet underwear. Unifirst is quite large if they are publicly traded but when it comes to cold weather apparel they do not have product that is acceptable in my opinion.

Businesses can benefit from a managed uniform program by receiving expert assistance from a reputable service provider who can review work requirements and help identify the right types of garments needed to effectively protect their outdoor workers. Other benefits of a managed uniform program include weekly uniform laundering and maintenance, quality inspections, and mending and replacing of garments as needed.

“Expert assistance from a reputable service provider” is a joke. If it is cold weather clothing that is required, why not go to a company that provides cold weather clothing to other industries. If you work on the north slope of Alaska you need Wiggy’s. Who better to consult with than a company that already provides garments for these weather conditions.

The following are 10 tips to consider, many of which are endorsed by OSHA, to help protect workers from cold stress:

1. Wear at least three layers of loose-fitting clothing, designed with the appropriate types of fabrics, as proper layering provides improved insulation from the elements.

Loose fitting clothing is a good start so long as the first layer is fishnets. When you wear loose fitting clothing you actually create air spaces between the layers to reduce conductive heat loss. As an example if you have a single window pane the heat on the inside moves via conduction through the glass and out. If you have a double pane window the heat moves from the inside pane but does not go further due to the air barrier between both panes. The same holds true for lose fitting clothing.

1. Select garments close to the body that are made with “breathable” fabrics, such as moisture-wicking synthetics, to help workers stay dry and comfortable.

Now they are contradicting themselves by recommending the close to the body fit with what they believe is synthetic moisture wicking capable materials. This statement tells you they have no knowledge of materials and shouldn’t be offering advice. When all of the layers are touching conductive heat loss is great.

1. Choose outer garments that are insulated but do not have much added bulk that could interfere with worker mobility.

Without the bulk you are not protected from the cold. More erroneous information is stated here.

1. Consider outerwear that is water repellent to aid worker protection from rain, sleet, or snow.

I could be wrong but I do believe all of the cold weather outerwear available is made with exterior fabrics that are water repellent treated, not that the treatment lasts for long.

1. Select outer garments that also have built-in ventilation to help prevent excessive sweating and keep workers dry.

These OSHA people do not understand that you cannot control sweating but you can vent by simply opening the zipper of your outer garment. In very cold conditions all excess heat will get out very quickly and then you close the zipper.

1. Wear a hat or hood to help keep the entire body warm; hats reduce the amount of body heat that escapes.

Wearing a hat or hood is beneficial but it does not have any effect on the rest of the body that is dependent on the clothing worn over the rest of the body.

1. Use a knit mask to cover and help protect the face and mouth. Wraparound eye protection can also help preserve body heat and prevent eyes from drying out due to cold.

I am not favorable to knit face masks because the do retain moisture and can get frozen to facial skin. My insulated head cover is made from nylon and will get some ice around your mouth but it is loose fitting so freezing to the facial skin does not occur.

1. Use insulated gloves to protect the hands.

Use mittens, gloves separate fingers so they do not help the fingers next to them to stay warm as happens with mittens.

1. Wear double-layer thermal socks and insulated, waterproof footwear.

Lamilite socks and if you wear pack boots Sunwalkers.

1. Ensure workers take regular breaks and, when possible, warm up indoors with hot beverages (no alcohol) to increase body temperature.

While working outdoors in the winter can be challenging, following these basic tips and participating in a managed uniform program can help businesses protect outdoor workers from the effects of cold stress, allowing them to consistently to get the job done.

For many years I have seen the failures that have come from the Army testing labs, the other day I noted that the EPA is uninformed about the dangers of certain types of materials and to day I see that OSHA is also equally uninformed about the safety apparel that should be used by people who are employed to work in cold regions of the USA. What does each of these government agencies have in common; people with little or no background in the field of insulation and how materials perform in the environment specifically when the temperatures register at and below freezing.

When they are confronted and tragically they view someone with knowledge they function as if they are confronted by the enemy. The problem as I see it has to do with factual, practical education in the field using products, as well as getting an education in human physiology. The people who are charged with the development of cold weather articles of clothing from footwear to hand wear and every item in between are devoid of that knowledge. They function as if the knowledge will simply come to them via osmosis, while they are a sleep.

The real tragedy is the simple fact that they are opposed to anyone who has the knowledge and is openly willing to share it with them.

If you work in a cold environment and are having a problem staying comfortable during your work day, that is not a problem as I am always available to set you on the path to comfort.