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Cold weather not slowing down outdoor workers

Jan 18, 2019 | 4:46 PM

On days like today, the thought of spending even a few minutes outside can give anyone the shivers, but for people who make their living working outdoors, it’s just another day at the office.
 
Kathie Keichinger has been delivering mail in Prince Albert for nine years, and so she comes prepared when the temperatures drop.
 
“I’ve got a long sleeve t-shirt, long sleeve work shirt, long sleeve sweater and I really feel like I could use another layer,” she said.
 
Keichinger said her mitts make it hard to sort mail, but she’s grateful to have them as well as her extra set of hand and toe warmers. She said she is also grateful for the occasional warm-up break at a community club or apartment building.
 
“In the summer everyone is like I wish I had your job, then they change their mind on the first cold day in September,” she said.
 
Beyond extra layers and a warm truck, Keichinger said the best way to survive extremely cold days is to keep moving.

At the full-service Shell service station on 16th Street West Cathy Koivisto told paNOW that dressing in layers is crucial when it comes to staying warm on the job.

“Got ski pants on, I’ve got hand warmers in my gloves, neck warmer, as much clothes as you can,” she said.

Koivisto has been working at the Shell station for 16 years, where she has seen quite a number of cold days. She said despite working a number of cold days she doesn’t find herself getting accustomed to cold conditions.

“You don’t get used to it, you just figure out what types of layers and clothing to wear,” she said.

Koivisto was joined in the frigid conditions by colleague Jeremy Hicks. Hicks said he was finding it hard to keep certain parts of his body warm this week.

“My body’s not too bad, but it’s kind of hard to keep your feet warm, especially when it’s this cold of temperatures, you can only put on so much,” he said.

Hicks, who has been working at his job for three-and-half-years said going from inside where it’s warm, to outside where it’s cold, can make it a challenge to work as well.   

“So you’re always kind of shivering,” he said.

The cold temperatures saw the City of Prince Albert modify operations Friday.

In an email to paNOW, Public Works Operations Manager Mohammad Kraishan said when temperatures dip this low, they try to avoid sending crews out unless it is an emergency situation, like a water main break or a damaged traffic light. According to Kraishan, the city looks to occupational health and safety guidelines while making sure to supply crews have the proper equipment and make time for warm-up breaks.

Kraishan said services like garbage pickup, grading, street sanding and dredging continue as workers perform their duties from inside a vehicle or are only exposed to the elements for short periods. If possible, the city does look at delaying work to limit the hardship on equipment.

With files from Michael Joel-Hansen.

 

panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow