About Course
Online awareness training that teaches outdoor and tower workers to recognize, prevent, and respond to cold-related illness and winter hazards at height.
By: Vertical Academy | Format: Online, self-paced | Language: English | Last Updated: 10/28/26
Description
OSHA has no specific cold stress standard. This course is based on OSHA Winter Weather and Cold Stress guidance, NIOSH cold stress guidance (including Workplace Solutions 2019-113), and the employer’s duty under the General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act). It also refers to related OSHA rules for PPE, first aid, and carbon monoxide exposure.
The course is intended for tower climbers, rooftop and ground crews, riggers, installers, equipment operators, and supervisors who work outdoors or in unheated areas in cold, wet, or windy conditions, including workers from warmer regions sent to cold-climate projects. It is awareness training. It does not replace your employer’s winter work plan, site rescue plan, or first-aid and CPR training, and it is not medical advice.
Learners who complete all lessons and pass the final exam receive a Vertical Academy completion certificate with a unique certificate number and QR code verification.
Topics covered
- About 50 minutes of online, self-paced training
- Aligned with OSHA and NIOSH cold stress guidance
- Module 1: Welcome and course scope
- Module 2: Cold and the Body (how the body loses heat; cold-related illnesses and injuries)
- Module 3: Prevention (planning, wind chill, and breaks; clothing and PPE; winter hazards at height)
- Module 4: Emergency Response (first aid and rescue in the cold)
- Lessons unlock in order; each lesson knowledge check must be passed at 100% before the next lesson opens
- Final exam: 15 questions, pass mark 80%, 3 attempts; after a third failed attempt, contact Vertical Academy
- Vertical Academy completion certificate with certificate number and QR verification
Standards & references
- OSH Act Section 5(a)(1): General Duty Clause
- OSHA Winter Weather / Cold Stress guidance
- NIOSH Cold Stress guidance and Workplace Solutions 2019-113, Preventing Cold-related Illness, Injury, and Death among Workers
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132 and 1926.95: Personal protective equipment
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.151 and 1926.50: Medical services and first aid
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1000, Table Z-1: Carbon monoxide exposure limit
Contact us for more info
There are many options, including:
- Group discounts
- Training for your crews at your location
- Custom classes
- Much more
Contact Vertical Academy for details: phone 224 390 69 79 | email training@verticalacademy.us
This is a Vertical Academy completion certificate for awareness training. It is not an OSHA certification and is not medical advice.
