Free toolbox talk · no signup
Free toolbox talk: cold stress on the job site
A one-page winter safety talk for your next crew meeting: why cold, wet and wind are dangerous, six key points, the warning signs of hypothermia and frostbite, three questions for the crew and a sign-in block. Read it here or print this page.
Cold Stress
Why it matters. Cold, wet and windy conditions can cause hypothermia, frostbite and trench foot, and make hands clumsy with tools.
Key points
- Dress in layers, keep a dry change of clothes, and protect your head, hands and feet.
- Wind and wet clothing pull heat away from the body much faster.
- Know the signs of hypothermia: shivering, confusion, slurred speech, drowsiness. Get the person warm and call for medical help.
- Frostbite shows as numbness and pale, waxy or hard skin. Do not rub it. Get medical care.
- Take warm-up breaks, drink warm fluids, and work in pairs to watch each other.
- Clear ice and snow from walkways, ladders, scaffolds and roofs before work.
Ask the crew
- What are the signs of hypothermia?
- Where can people warm up today?
- Which surfaces need de-icing before we start?
Reference: osha.gov/winter-weather/cold-stress
Sign-in
Date ______ · Job site ______ · Talk leader ______
| # | Printed name | Signature | Company / trade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||
| 2 | |||
| 3 | |||
| 4 | |||
| 5 |
The printable PDF has 12 sign-in lines.
How to run it
- Hold it at the start of the first cold or wet shift, before anyone climbs or handles tools.
- Point out where the warm-up spot and the dry clothes are today.
- Walk the site and name the walkways, ladders, scaffolds or roof areas that need de-icing first.
- Ask the three questions, let the crew answer, then have everyone sign and file the page with your safety records.
A training aid that supplements your safety program. Not a substitute for required training, a written safety program, a site-specific hazard assessment, or a competent or qualified person where OSHA requires one. OSHA references are federal (29 CFR 1926 and related parts), checked October 2026; state-plan states may have stricter rules. Not legal advice.
Want a talk for every week of the year?
Toolbox Talks: 52 Weekly Crew Safety Talks has this talk plus 51 more in the same one-page format (falls, ladders, scaffolds, trenches, electrical, tools, PPE, silica, heat, struck-by and more), a sign-in log and a 52-week tracker spreadsheet. $29 one-time. This talk and the free ladder setup talk stay free either way.
Get all 52 talks — $29 See what’s inside