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Nonatmospheric Hazardous Conditions: The Role of Confined Energy
Published in Neil McManus, Safety and Health in Confined Spaces, 2018
In addition to frostbite, damage to tissue can occur from immersion injury (Wilkerson 1986b). Trench foot (immersion foot) results from prolonged wetting of the feet in near-freezing temperatures. Prolonged cooling damages the tissues. Vasoconstriction also occurs to preserve heat in the core of the body. Greatest damage occurs to the nerves. This causes pain, prickling, or tingling sensations (paresthesia) or the total anesthesia that may result. Damage also occurs to the skin and other tissues.
Hot and Cold Environments: Temperature Extremes
Published in Martin B., S.Z., of Industrial Hygiene, 2018
Trench foot (immersion foot) results from prolonged immersion in cold water. The name derives from military experience in World War I. The foot becomes swollen, numb, with a white or cyanotic color. Then pain, tingling, swelling, and blistering may develop. After several weeks, the condition improves.
A review of construction workforce health challenges and strategies in extreme weather conditions
Published in International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 2023
Sanjgna Karthick, Sharareh Kermanshachi, Apurva Pamidimukkala, Mostafa Namian
A major increase (15%) in emergency room visits by workers for cold-related injuries such as slips and falls (CP11) has been observed with every degree that the temperature falls during cold weather, and an increase in wind speed further increases the number of visits by 6% [49,50,51]. The rising number of slips, trips and fall-related accidents is attributed to ice, snow, limited visibility and cooling of the body [37,49]. Two-thirds of all fall events in cold weather occur on ice that is coated with snow [60]. Trench foot or immersion foot are also the result of working in cold environments [62,63]. Trench foot (CP12) is a condition in which blood vessels are inflamed to the extent that they damage organs and tissues; it is common among those who work for prolonged periods of time in temperatures that are above 0° C (32 °F). Immersion foot develops when workers stand in the same position for long periods of time, especially in cold, wet environments [61]. The terms trench foot and immersion foot are often used interchangeably; immersion foot, formerly known as trench foot, is considered a non-freezing cold injury. It is experienced by many outdoor workers, and often occurs when construction workers perform jobs, such as excavating a hole for a foundation, in cold, muddy water [63]. The symptoms of immersion foot begin with numbness and white or pale skin that changes to a shade of blue. It is often characterized by numbness and severe pain, even after heat has been restored [64,65]. Table 5 presents the physical challenges and health issues that workers encounter in extremely cold temperatures.