phase 4 report - DNV

RN05: WORKING ENVIRONMENT – BARENTS SEA // Prevention and management of health problemsBarents 2020to the tissues. Cooling is more pronounced when theventilated air volume is high (e.g. at high physicalactivity). Recommendations for lowest temperaturesof inspired air are given in ISO 11079 Annex B.Guidelines – At ambient temperatures below -15°C,respiratory protection is recommended for highactivity levels (with increased ventilation volume).At ambient temperatures below -30°C, respiratoryprotection is strongly recommended. (Ref. ISO 11079Annex B.3).When choosing respiratory protection,consideration shall be given to selecting respiratoryprotection that fits properly in combination withother cold weather clothing and PPE that are to beworn.7.1.5. Work, warm-up and rehabilitation regimesReference is made to ISO 11079 Annex F andOGP 398.Sensible work scheduling and warm-up breaksare essential for work in cold climate, not onlyfor preventing ill health but also for increasingproductivity. In exposed work sites and lowambient temperatures, thermal clothing alone maynot be sufficient to maintain body temperature ata comfortable and efficient level. Extra time willneed to be allowed for completing tasks and for rewarming.Shift patterns and work/warm-up schedulesshould be planned taking these additional time needsinto account.• Require workers to obtain a Permit forCold Work before commencing workunder extreme cold conditions. The Permitshall prescribe precautions and assignresponsibilities to ensure the workers’ safety.Guidelines – ISO 11079 provides procedures forthe practical determination of required clothinginsulation for the preservation of body heat balanceat defined levels of physiological strain, as well asthe duration of limited exposure. Duration of limitedexposure to cold is defined as the recommendedmaximum time of exposure with available or selectedclothing.A link to a computer program is provided inISO 11079 Annex F:http://wwwold.eat.lth.se/Forskning/Termisk/Termisk_HP/Klimatfiler/IREQ2002alfa.htmThis program calculates the appropriate clothinginsulation required under different environmentalconditions (e.g., temperature, wind speed, humidity),the duration of limited exposure to cold, and therequired recovery time after exposure. This programprovides a practical tool for supervisors in planningwork, warm-up and rehabilitation regimes anddetermining the appropriate clothing requirementsto ensure worker health and safety. An example isshown in figure 4.Proposed standard – Operators shall develop andimplement a work, warm-up and rehabilitationregime for outdoor work in cold climate. The regimeshall define the type of work that is allowed underdifferent wind chill conditions, the length of time thatworkers may work outdoors, the types of clothingand personal protective equipment that shall be used,personnel monitoring and surveillance, and any otherspecial conditions that shall apply.Work regimes should be planned for outdoorwork under the following different conditions:• Normal work periods• Shorter work periods• Emergency work in extreme wind chill conditionsFor work under extreme cold conditions, theoperator shall develop and implement appropriateprocedures to:• Assess the risk before permittingwork to be undertaken; andReport no 2012-0690 193