How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 38 severe cases of cold exposure requiring hospitalization or surgery over the past decade. The vast majority of these incidents, 87 percent, involved the effects of reduced temperature, leading to severe frostbite and long-term tissue damage.
These injuries most frequently impact your fingers, which account for 53 percent of all reported body part injuries. Because these incidents often result in permanent damage or amputation, they carry significant long-term consequences for your ability to perform your job.
Common injuries
Cold exposure injuries occur when you perform tasks in temperature extremes without adequate protective gear or warming breaks. Environmental temperature extremes account for 95 percent of these injuries. Whether you work inside industrial freezers or perform outdoor maintenance in sub-zero conditions, you are at risk when your employer fails to provide proper insulation or monitor your exposure duration.
| Injury Type | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Effects of reduced temperature | 33 |
| 2 | Amputations, avulsions, enucleations | 5 |
Where injuries happen most
Transportation and warehousing accounts for 37 percent of these severe injuries, largely due to the frequent loading and unloading of goods in refrigerated environments or unheated trailers. Manufacturing and wholesale trade each account for 13 percent of cases, as you may handle cold materials or operate in climate-controlled facilities where equipment failures lead to rapid, dangerous temperature drops.
Real cases like yours
Many reported incidents follow a pattern of equipment failure or inadequate safety protocols during cold-weather tasks. You may suffer injuries while performing routine maintenance inside freezers or handling materials in extreme outdoor conditions without sufficient hand protection. If your injury occurred during similar tasks or due to a lack of proper safety equipment, an attorney can help you review the specifics of your situation to determine your options.
| Year | State | Industry | Incident summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | IL | Construction | "An employee was replacing electric lights inside a freezer at a store. He developed frostbite in his fingers and was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | OK | Mining | "An employee was working on an oil and gas drilling rig and tripping pipe out of the hole. After the employee finished work and took off his gloves, he noticed his fingers had frostbite." | |
| 2025 | MO | Retail Trade | "An employee was sweeping and taking out trash in a cold environment. The employee was hospitalized with frostbite to his toes and amputation of left toes. " | |
| 2025 | WI | Transportation & Warehousing | "On January 21, 2025, an employee was unloading a shipment of slot machines from a delivery truck. The truck's lift gate battery failed, preventing the use of the lift. The employee disconnected the vehicle engine battery and connected it to the lift gate battery to provide a power boost. While the employee was repairing the liftgate, their hands were exposed to extreme cold weather. The employee was hospitalized with frostbite to both hands, including their fingers and thumbs." | |
| 2024 | PA | Wholesale Trade | "An employee was unloading a truck and sustained frostbite to his left index finger due to cold temperatures." | |
| 2024 | KS | Accommodation & Food Services | "An employee was working in extreme cold as a selector in a freezer. The employee was hospitalized and sustained a left index fingertip amputation." | |
| 2024 | IL | Wholesale Trade | "An employee was dropping off trailer and tractor equipment when his left hand sustained severe frostbite. He was hospitalized." | |
| 2023 | NH | Wholesale Trade | "An employee was selecting in a freezer and sustained frostbite to fingers on both hands. The employee was hospitalized." | |
| 2023 | MA | Manufacturing | "An employee was picking orders in a freezer warehouse. He developed frostbite in both middle fingers; the right middle finger was partially medically amputated. The incident occurred during a training activity." | |
| 2023 | OH | Transportation & Warehousing | "An employee had been putting product away in a freezer kept at negative 10-degrees Fahrenheit. At the end of their shift the employee had pain and discoloration in their feet and toes. The employee was hospitalized with frostbite in both of their big toes." |
Source: OSHA Severe Injury Reports. Narratives are verbatim from filings; identifying details may have been redacted by OSHA.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, frostbite sustained during the course of your employment is generally covered by Workers' Compensation. This includes medical expenses for treatment, surgeries, and compensation for any permanent impairment or loss of function. An attorney can help you ensure your claim accurately reflects the severity of your injury.
In most cases, Workers' Compensation is the exclusive remedy for workplace injuries, meaning you cannot sue your employer directly. However, if a third party like an equipment manufacturer was responsible for the cooling system failure, you may have a separate personal injury claim. An attorney can help you evaluate whether third-party liability exists in your case.
OSHA expects your employer to provide appropriate personal protective equipment, such as insulated gloves and clothing, and to implement work-rest cycles to prevent cold stress. When your employer fails to provide these basic protections, they may be held accountable for the resulting injuries. An attorney can help you determine if your employer failed to meet these safety obligations.
Frostbite can lead to permanent nerve damage, chronic sensitivity to cold, and in severe cases, the amputation of fingers or toes. Because these injuries often have lasting effects on your ability to work, it is important to document your medical progress thoroughly. An attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence to support your claim for long-term benefits.