After the recent spate of cold weather, we are all now looking forward to spring and the promise of some sunshine and warmth. But what about those who have to work outside in the cold and in the middle of the North Sea?
During the winter, the weather conditions in the North Sea can be severe, with low temperatures, rain, snow and high winds.
Wind chill can be a problem even when the temperature is not extremely low. Safety precautions are always of the utmost importance and work is limited in extreme conditions of wind and ice.
If you are cold, you are more likely to damage muscles and suffer from sprains and strains. If you are feeling really cold, it’s easy to lose concentration and stop focusing on the job in hand, which can cause accidents.
The cold can have a bad effect on sensory perception and, when you are working offshore, you need to be aware of your surroundings and what your colleagues are doing at all times.
Obviously, if your hands are freezing, you could lose manual dexterity, leading to clumsiness.
It’s tiring when you are constantly shivering, and fatigue can also cause accidents.
People working offshore are supplied with suitable and sufficient PPE (personal protective equipment), including clothing for cold weather conditions.
Offshore workwear needs to be of the highest standard and should be comfortable to work in as well as being weather-resistant. The material needs to be waterproof, but permeable so that air circulates.
The clothing needs to have high visibility so that you can be seen as you work, and also needs to be flame-retardant due to the nature of the work and location.
It’s important to replace gloves if they become worn and damaged. Different craftsmen have different needs regarding their workwear and looking after themselves during inclement weather. For example:
If you are using vibrating hand tools, hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is even more of a threat during cold weather due to the effect the cold has on the circulation. It will be necessary to take regular breaks and work precisely to the given safety regulations.
Again, if you are an abseiler, you will need to take more breaks during cold weather and should make sure that your gloves are a good fit and allow you a good grip as well as keeping you warm.
A crane driver who sits for periods of time should take regular breaks to stretch and move about.
If you are working in cold and windy conditions, it’s all the more important to be physically healthy. A smoker will be more affected by cold climates than a non-smoker due to poor oxygenation.
You may need to take in a few extra calories during cold weather spells, but these should be part of a balanced diet and not from extra kebabs or rowies.
If you take plenty of exercise, your muscles will be more supple and less likely to be damaged when working in the cold.
In conclusion, the healthier and fitter you are, the better you will cope with working outside when the weather is at its cruellest.
So make sure you take plenty of exercise, try to maintain a good sleeping pattern and eat a healthy, balanced diet. The food offshore these days is of a high standard, so there’s no need to fill up on stodgy comfort food.
Look after yourself and your body will look after you through all the bad weather that winter on the North Sea can throw at you.
Val Grant is a senior occupational nurse at Abermed, which specialises in providing medical and occupational-health services to the international oil&gas industry. For more information, see www.abermed.com