If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Call 911 for confusion, slurred speech, extreme drowsiness, stopped shivering, or skin that's hard and pale.
- 2Get into a warm, dry place. Remove wet clothing, gloves and socks.
- 3Warm the area gently, such as with body heat or warm (not hot) water, if you won't be going back into the cold. Don't rub it.
- 4Don't use heaters, heat packs directly on skin, engine heat or a fire — numb skin burns easily.
- 5Don't walk on frostbitten feet if you can avoid it.
- 6Tell your supervisor and report the cold injury in writing. Keep a copy.
- 7Write down the conditions: temperature, wind, wet gear, how long you were out, and breaks available.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Cold injuries happen to line workers, oil and gas crews, construction workers, and people in freezers and cold storage. In your report, describe the conditions and gear: how long you were exposed, whether gloves or boots got wet, whether warm-up breaks or shelters were available, and any equipment you were handling bare-handed.
Note whether coworkers had symptoms too. If you work in a freezer or cold dock, include how long your stints were and what gear was provided.
Your employer generally sends the report to its insurer or claims administrator. Deadlines to report and file vary by state, so check with your state's workers' compensation agency as soon as possible.
Frostbite can look worse over the first days as blisters form. Take dated photos and keep records of every visit.
Getting medical care
Get frostbite evaluated by a clinician — at urgent care, an emergency department or occupational medicine. Deeper cold injuries may be followed by hand and upper extremity specialists, podiatry, orthopedics or primary care. A licensed clinician decides what is appropriate after an evaluation.
Tell the clinician it happened at work and how long you were exposed. Mention numbness, tingling, color changes or blisters, and any trouble moving fingers or toes. Some states and employers have rules about which provider you see first, so ask your employer or adjuster.
If you're prescribed medication or wound supplies, ask the pharmacy and adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled. Many can be filled locally or delivered to your home.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery, common medications after work injuries, or find pharmacies near you. Your doctor and pharmacist decide what is right for you.
When people often talk to an attorney
- You have lasting numbness, pain, sensitivity to cold, or tissue loss.
- You weren't given proper gear, warm-up breaks or shelter.
- Your claim is denied because cold injuries are called a weather issue rather than work.
- You can't return to outdoor or cold-storage work.
- There are disputes about specialist care.
- You were told to keep working despite symptoms.
Learn more: what a workers' comp attorney does. Many offer a free first consultation; fees in workers' comp are often regulated by the state.
Recovery and going back to work
Follow wound care instructions and keep follow-up visits. Healing from frostbite can take a while, and the final extent of damage isn't always clear at first.
Areas that had frostbite are often more sensitive to cold later. Ask your doctor about restrictions on cold exposure and gear changes, and ask your employer about indoor tasks while you heal.
Keep your supervisor and adjuster updated after each appointment.
Questions to ask
- Doctor: How deep is this cold injury, and what should I watch for?
- Doctor: How long should I stay out of the cold?
- Doctor: Will this area be more sensitive to cold in the future?
- Employer: What gear and warm-up breaks are available for cold work?
- Employer: Is indoor work available while I heal?
- Adjuster: What is my claim number, and who do I see for follow-up?
- Attorney: I wasn't given insulated gloves. Does that matter?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do for frostbite or a cold injury at work?
Get to a warm, dry place, remove wet clothing and warm the area gently without rubbing. Call 911 for signs of hypothermia like confusion or drowsiness. Get evaluated and report it in writing.
Should I rub frostbitten skin to warm it up?
No, rubbing can damage frozen tissue further. Warm it gently instead. Avoid direct heat like heaters or fires.
What are signs of hypothermia at work?
Intense shivering, confusion, slurred speech, clumsiness, drowsiness and stopped shivering can be signs. Call 911. Get the person somewhere warm and remove wet clothes.
Is frostbite at work covered by workers' comp?
Cold injuries on the job are often handled through workers' compensation, depending on your state and situation. Report it in writing. Check deadlines with your state's agency.
Can I get frostbite working in a freezer?
Yes, cold storage and freezer work can cause cold injuries, especially with wet gloves or long stints. Report symptoms right away. Ask about gear and break rules.
Will my fingers or toes recover from frostbite?
That depends on how deep the injury is, and the extent may not be clear at first. Your clinician can tell you what to expect. Keep all follow-up visits.
Related situations
Industries where this often happens
Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. Workers' compensation rules and deadlines vary by state — check with your state's workers' compensation agency. Medical emergency? Call 911. Hurt outside of work? Personal-injury legal help: attorneys.plus (coming soon).