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The Labour Department has issued a guide to help employers and employees understand the importance of rest breaks. The guide encourages them to work together to make arrangements that meet the needs of both parties.

The Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance requires that an employer shall ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the safety and health of employees at work.

Working long hours without breaks causes fatigue and affects workers' judgment, productivity, work efficiency and quality. It could even lead to serious occupational accidents.

The "Guide on Rest Breaks" advises employers to use workplace organisations, such as safety committees, to seek the views of employees on rest break arrangements.

It outlines the definition of a rest break, noting that workers who are engaged in hazardous or strenuous work processes, such as in manual handling of heavy objects, may require frequent, shorter rest breaks.

It also features stretching exercises demonstarted by Occupational Safety Ambassador Miss Ho Kai-lai. They include neck, upper back, upper and lower limb exercises.

The guide has been issued in consultation with the Committee on Occupational Safety and Health of the Labour Advisory Board.

The department has distributed it to trade unions, employer associations, professional bodies, industry-based tripartite committees and safety sub-committees of the Occupational Health and Safety Council.

Copies of the guide are available for collection at the department's Occupational Safety and Health Branch offices. It can also be downloaded from the department's website at www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/os/B129.exe.

End/Sunday, August 24, 2003

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