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The Labour Department (LD) urges employers and employees to take appropriate precautions during the cold weather.
Employers and employees should pay special attention at work during the cold weather, particularly those having to work outdoors or in remote areas, or those suffering from heart, respiratory or chronic medical conditions. The LD offers the following advice during the cold weather:
Employers
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(1) Take heed of the weather report and remind employees to wear appropriately warm clothing at work. For employees wearing uniforms, additional warm clothing should be provided when necessary;
(2) Reschedule outdoor work or work in remote areas to warmer periods in the daytime, such as noon, or warmer days, where practicable;
(3) Make arrangements for employees to, where practicable, rotate from outdoor to indoor or sheltered worksites within the shift to reduce their exposure to the cold weather;
(4) Remind employees to stay alert about their health condition during outdoor work in the cold weather, and seek the attention of their supervisors as appropriate; and
(5) Provide hot drinking water or other beverages for employees.
Employees
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(1) Employees should be mindful of their health condition when working in the cold weather, and seek their supervisors' attention or medical help immediately if feeling unwell or experiencing cold limbs, shivering or goose bumps (chicken skin);
(2) Take note of the weather report and wear appropriately warm clothing at work, particularly when working outdoor or in remote areas;
(3) Consume sufficient food and drink with a high calorie content, e.g. hot drinking water, hot tea and hot food; and
(4) Perform exercises to facilitate circulation and production of heat.
Employers and employees may call the Labour Department Hotline 2717 1771 for enquiries.
Ends/Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Issued at HKT 14:49
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