Safety checklist — Cold weather work
Prevention of frostbite and hypothermia on site. Compliant with Québec's Construction Safety Code (CSTC) and CNESST standards.
Before work
12 items- ✓
Multi-layer clothing: technical base layer, insulating layer, windproof/waterproof shell
- ✓
Extremities protected: toque under hard hat, neck gaiter, insulated gloves, boot covers
- ✓
Wind chill index checked — adjust breaks accordingly
ℹ️ At −27°C (wind chill): warm-up break every 55 min
- ✓
Heated shelter accessible nearby for mandatory breaks
- ✓
Hot beverages available — avoid coffee (dehydration)
- ✓
Buddy monitoring system — recognize hypothermia signs
- ✓
Alternate between physical and light tasks to maintain warmth
- ✓
Breaks in heated shelter per wind chill chartCritical
ℹ️ CNESST: mandatory breaks per wind chill index
- ✓
Watch for frostbite signs: white skin, numbness, tingling
- ✓
Watch for hypothermia signs: shivering, confusion, drowsinessCritical
ℹ️ Severe hypothermia = medical emergency — call 911 immediately
- ✓
Change wet clothing immediately
- ✓
Icy surfaces treated — salt, sand or anti-slip mats
After work
3 items- ✓
Clothing dried for next day — don't leave in vehicle
- ✓
Report any persistent frostbite or numbness signs
- ✓
Equipment protected from freezing (batteries, hydraulic fluids)