Cold exposure injuries at Work — Injury Statistics and Claims Information
Cold exposure injuries at Work
Persistent risks in cold-sensitive work environments
OSHA has documented 43 severe cases of cold exposure injuries, a figure that captures only the most critical incidents requiring hospitalization. The data shows that fingers and hands are the primary targets, representing 76% of all recorded injuries.
These injuries often result in permanent tissue damage, nerve sensitivity, and long-term functional loss. For many workers, the impact extends beyond the initial injury, affecting their ability to perform manual tasks and their overall earning capacity.
What's Driving the Trend?
The trend in cold exposure injuries remains steady, with 9 cases reported in 2025 alone. Environmental exposure accounts for 77% of these events, indicating that workers are frequently left unprotected against extreme weather conditions.
Transportation and warehousing industries lead the risk profile, accounting for 37% of all severe cases. These environments often involve high-speed loading and unloading processes that leave workers vulnerable to rapid temperature changes and inadequate protective gear.
How Cold exposure injuries Happen at Work
Top causes based on OSHA incident reports
Most cold exposure injuries stem from environmental hazards, which account for 77% of all reported incidents. Workers are frequently injured while performing routine tasks in unheated spaces or during prolonged shifts in extreme weather, often without adequate thermal protection.
| Cause | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exposure to environmental cold | 33 |
| 2 | Contact with cold objects or substances | 8 |
| 3 | Exposure to harmful substance through exposed tissue | 1 |
| 4 | Capsized or sinking water vehicle (non collision) | 1 |
Why This Matters for Your Case
Employers are required to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards under the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act. Specifically, 29 CFR 1910.132 requires employers to assess the workplace for hazards and provide appropriate personal protective equipment, such as insulated gloves and thermal clothing, to prevent cold-related injuries.
Industries with Most Cold exposure injuries
Where these injuries occur most frequently
Transportation and warehousing industries face the highest risk, representing 37% of severe cold exposure cases. This elevated risk is driven by the nature of loading docks and refrigerated storage facilities where workers must handle cold-conducting materials or work in sub-zero temperatures for extended periods.
High-Risk Industries and Your Rights
Employers in high-risk sectors must adhere to 29 CFR 1910.132 regarding personal protective equipment and 29 CFR 1910.141 regarding sanitation and environmental conditions. These regulations mandate that employers provide necessary gear and maintain safe working environments to prevent frostbite and other cold-induced tissue damage.
Real Incident Reports
From actual OSHA investigation files
The reported incidents reveal a pattern of failure in both equipment maintenance and basic protective measures. Recurring themes include workers suffering frostbite while performing repairs in freezers or sustaining cold burns during the transfer of pressurized gases, often due to inadequate training or missing safety equipment.
"An employee was replacing electric lights inside a freezer at a store. He developed frostbite in his fingers and was hospitalized."
"An employee was pumping liquid propane from a propane delivery truck to a storage tank. After the transfer was completed, the employee closed the valves and disconnected the transfer hose. During the transfer, the liquid propane auto-refrigerated the riser pipe of the storage tank and that delayed the vaporization of the propane. Upon reaching a higher temperature, liquified propane began rapidly expanding. Liquid propane then discharged from the pipe and contacted the employee, causing cold burns. The employee was hospitalized for second-degree burns to their torso and arms. "
"An employee was changing out a propane cylinder on a powered industrial truck when liquid petroleum gas contacted his hands. The employee sustained second-degree burns to his hands."
"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."
"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."
"An employee was unloading a truck and sustained frostbite to his left index finger due to cold temperatures."
"A temporary employee was injured after working with dry ice while wearing the gloves that were not suited to the task. He was hospitalized on May 29, 2024, and had three fingertips amputated."
"An employee was leaving a work site on a barge due to adverse weather conditions. While on their way back to shore in a small boat, the boat went up a large swell and when it came back down, it went bow first into another swell and was immediately swamped. All the boat passengers fell into the river water, which was approximately 49.8 Fahrenheit. One employee was hospitalized with hypothermia."
"An employee was dropping off trailer and tractor equipment when his left hand sustained severe frostbite. He was hospitalized."
"An employee was selecting in a freezer and sustained frostbite to fingers on both hands. The employee was hospitalized."
Common Questions About Cold exposure injuries Claims
The ClaimsBoost Research Team aggregates official government data to help workers understand workplace injury trends and their coverage options.
ClaimsBoost is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. ClaimsBoost is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any government agency. Performance scores, rankings, and statistics displayed on this site are calculated by ClaimsBoost using publicly available government data from OSHA severe injury reports. Individual results may vary. Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice or a guarantee of benefits. If you need legal help, we can connect you with licensed attorneys in your area.Some written content on this page was created with the assistance of AI to help interpret and explain the data. AI can make mistakes — all content has been reviewed for accuracy, but we encourage you to verify any information that is important to your situation.