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The Labour Department today (July 10) reminded employers and employees to take appropriate precautions to prevent heatstroke in a hot or humid work environment, given the recent very hot weather.
Senior Occupational Health Officer, Dr Ng Kwok-po, said, "Heatstroke can occur if an employee works in a hot or humid environment for prolonged periods of time when the body may fail to regulate its temperature by effective heat dissipation through sweating.
"For example, construction workers or road repair workers, kitchen workers and porters are more prone to have heatstroke when working for long hours in such an environment with no appropriate preventive measures taken.
"The early symptoms of heatstroke include feeling thirsty, fatigue, nausea and headache. Later, the victim may experience shortness of breath, rapid and weak pulse, dizziness, confusion or even loss of consciousness and convulsion," he said.
Dr Ng reminded employers to arrange for a suitable assessment of the heat stress in the work environment and take appropriate preventive measures. Employers can learn more about heat stress assessment with the checklist method by referring to the publication on "Risk Assessment for the Prevention of Heatstroke at Work" recently produced by the Labour Department. Dr Ng also encouraged employers and employees to take the following precautions to prevent heatstroke:
Employers
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(1) Take heed of the weather report and make arrangements for employees to rotate to other worksites within the shift to reduce their exposure to the hot environment, or to arrange appropriate rest breaks for them during very hot periods;
(2) Avoid working under direct sunlight and set up temporary sunshade wherever possible;
(3) Provide cool potable water for employees at all times during work. If necessary, provide drinks containing minerals for employees to replenish loss of electrolytes during profuse sweating;
(4) Minimise physical demands by using tools or mechanical aids at work;
(5) Increase air flow by enhancing ventilation or air conditioning as appropriate;
(6) Isolate heat generating facilities at the workplace and use insulating materials to minimise heat dissipation to the other work areas; and
(7) Provide relevant information and training for employees on heat stroke such as preventive measures and first aid treatment.
Employees
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(1) Wear clothing made of suitable materials (for example, cotton) that is loose-fitting and light-coloured to help heat dissipation, minimise heat absorption and allow sweat evaporation;
(2) Wear a wide-brimmed hat when working outdoors;
(3) Drink plenty of water or other appropriate beverages to replenish the fluids and electrolytes lost through sweating; and
(4) Whenever there are any symptoms of heatstroke, inform supervisors and take appropriate action immediately.
Dr Ng said some employees may have difficulties in adapting to a hot working environment owing to their own health condition. Employers should take this into account and consider the employee's doctor's recommendations when assigning work to them.
In addition to the publication on "Risk Assessment for the Prevention of Heatstroke at Work", the Labour Department has produced a leaflet on "Prevention of Heatstroke at Work in a Hot Environment" for the public. These publications can be obtained free of charge from the offices of the Occupational Health Service of the Labour Department, or downloaded from the department's web page http://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_9.htm.
The Labour Department organises occupational health talks in public places and in its Occupational Safety and Health Centre every month to raise employers' and employees' awareness of occupational health. Details of health talks on the prevention of heatstroke at work between July and September are as follows:
(A)
Date: July 23 (Thursday)
Time: 6.30am to 8pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre of the Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
(B)
Date: August 11 (Tuesday)
Time: 6.30pm to 8pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre of the Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
(C)
Date: September 9 (Wednesday)
Time: 2.30pm to 4pm
Venue: Lecture Hall of Hong Kong Space Museum, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
For enrolment or enquiries about these occupational health talks, please call 2852 4040. The Labour Department also provides an outreach health education service and occupational health nurses will, on invitation, disseminate occupational health information at the workplace. Please contact the nursing officer at 2852 4062 for details. All these health talks are free of charge.
Ends/Friday, July 10, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:38
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