Winterization Gear: Preventing Cold Stress Injuries for Oil and Gas Workers

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Operating heavy equipment, handling volatile substances, and navigating high-risk environments are all part of the job for oil and gas workers. When winter arrives, these inherent dangers intensify, as frigid temperatures, high winds, and damp conditions further compromise safety. These conditions increase the potential for cold stress injuries on offshore rigs and remote sites, turning routine tasks into considerable safety challenges.

Understanding Cold Stress Injuries

Cold stress injuries can occur when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, leading to a range of health issues that include:

Frostbite: Commonly affecting extremities like the fingers and toes, frostbite occurs when exposure to extreme cold (often below 32°F) causes the skin and deeper tissues to freeze. Early signs include numbness and a change in skin color, which can progress to lasting tissue damage if left untreated.
Hypothermia: This condition is characterized by dangerously low body temperature, below 95°F. As hypothermia sets in, a person gradually loses the ability to think and move. Other symptoms of hypothermia include shallow breathing, slurred speech, and uncontrolled shivering.
Chilblains: This painful inflammation of small blood vessels in the skin results from repeated exposure to cold, damp conditions. These patches typically appear on the fingers, toes, ears, and nose, causing itching, swelling, and sores. If left untreated, chilblains may lead to infection.

The cold, wet, and windy conditions on offshore oil rigs and remote onshore sites amplify the risks of these cold stress injuries. The hands are among the first parts of the body to experience the effects of cold stress. Even in less than harsh conditions, hands can lose dexterity and become numb, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries in an already hazardous work environment.

Cold Weather Hand Protection for Oil and Gas Workers

For oil and gas crew members, cold weather hand protection is critical to winter workplace safety. The latest advancements in glove technology focus on maintaining warmth, dexterity, and durability to help ensure workers can perform their tasks safely and efficiently, even under extreme weather conditions.

Here are the primary features to look for when selecting the optimal hand protection:

Insulating Materials: Modern cold-weather gloves are designed with advanced insulation materials like Thinsulate, which trap heat effectively without adding excess bulk. These lightweight insulations maintain hand mobility, enabling workers to handle tools and equipment without sacrificing warmth.
Waterproof and Windproof Layers: Cold-weather gloves for oil and gas work environments often feature waterproof and windproof outer layers, such as polyurethane or nitrile coatings. These coatings create a barrier that blocks wind and keeps hands dry. To complement these, breathable materials within the gloves help reduce sweat buildup, which can cool quickly in winter and increase the risk of frostbite.
Enhanced Grip and Anti-Slip Coatings: Gloves with enhanced grip typically feature textured surfaces on the palm and finger areas, made from materials like rubber or silicone. This texture helps improve traction and control when handling tools and equipment. Some gloves have specific patterns, ridges, or anti-slip coatings on the grip areas to provide a better hold, even when hands are cold and wet.

Depending on the application and the known hazards, oil and gas workers may require gloves with impact protection or cut and abrasion resistance. Often reinforced with materials like Kevlar or high-density fibers, these added safety features are especially beneficial in oil and gas settings where hands are regularly exposed to rough surfaces, metal edges, and heavy equipment.

Full-Body Winterization for Preventing Cold Stress Injuries

Beyond wearing appropriate hand protection, full-body winterization is essential for oil and gas workers braving the cold. In these challenging environments, each piece of PPE plays a role in shielding against the elements, allowing workers to stay safe and focused.

Thermal Shirts, Jackets, and Insulated Pants: These garments usually feature water-resistant exteriors and warm fleece linings to keep workers comfortable in chilly conditions. We recommend a layering system with a moisture-wicking base layer, an insulating middle layer, and a waterproof outer layer. This approach allows workers to adjust their clothing based on activity level and weather conditions.
Foot Protection: Insulated boots are indispensable PPE for oil and gas workers who spend long hours in icy, wet conditions. High-quality boots combine insulation with effective waterproofing and grippy outsoles to avoid slips and falls.
Head and Face Protection: Balaclavas, neck gaiters, and insulated helmet liners help cover exposed skin and reduce heat loss from the head and neck. Look for insulated and waterproof face protection to help maintain warmth, prevent moisture from penetrating, and mitigate the risk of cold stress injuries.

Remember, proper fit is critical to effective full-body winterization. Loose or too-tight clothing can create gaps or compress the insulation, reducing its ability to retain heat. In addition to ensuring the PPE’s insulation properties work effectively, proper fitting gear enables workers to move freely and perform tasks efficiently and safely. We recommend selecting gear with features like adjustable cuffs, drawstrings, and elastic waistbands to help achieve the optimal fit.

Bonus Tips for Optimizing Hand Protection in Winter

Before selecting hand protection and other cold-weather PPE, safety managers should conduct a comprehensive site assessment to identify potential hazards, including extreme temperatures, precipitation levels, and contact with toxic substances. If your oil and gas operation doesn’t have an in-house expert, we recommend consulting a safety professional for a comprehensive, season-specific risk assessment.

With that said, here are some additional hand protection tips:

Layering: For frigid days, wear thin glove liners with insulated gloves. This is a simple yet effective approach to enhance warmth without compromising mobility.
Dry Gloves: Wet gloves significantly increase the risk of cold stress and frostbite. If gloves become damp throughout the shift, require workers to carry an extra pair of gloves to switch and rotate as necessary.
Flexible Cuffs: Gloves with flexible cuffs provide a snug fit around the wrists, sealing out cold air and preventing warmth from escaping. Opt for gloves that extend slightly beyond the wrists to help ensure optimal protection.
Heat Packs: Hand warmers and heat packs can be activated in minutes but last for hours. They provide instant heat and can easily be slipped into pockets, gloves, or headgear.

For outdoor jobs, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends scheduling tasks during the warmer hours of the day to help minimize cold exposure. This adjustment, combined with adequate warming breaks, can reduce cold stress risks and support overall productivity in oil and gas work sites.

Author Profile

Rick Pedley

President and CEO - PK Safety

Rick Pedley, PK Safety’s President and CEO, joined the family business in 1979. PK Safety, a supplier of occupational safety and personal protective equipment, has been operating since 1947 and takes OSHA, ANSI, PPE, and CSA work safety equipment seriously. PK Safety's customer service can be reached at 800-829-9580 or online at https://www.pksafety.com/contact-us.