With the recent unstable weather, the Labour Department has reminded employers to take appropriate measures to ensure their workplaces are safe and to protect the occupational safety and health of workers.

The department said when the weather clears, it is importance for employers to check site conditions thoroughly and carry out necessary repairs or rectifications to ensure site safety before work resumes.

Common hazards on construction sites, container handling yards and outdoor workplaces after inclement weather include:

* leakage of electric current from electrical installations;

* flooding in low areas and excavations;

* unstable slopes;

* caving in of the sides of excavations and damage to the shoring;

* damaged or overloaded scaffoldings and working platforms due to soaking; and,

* loosening of ground support of lifting appliances and containers stack.

Employers, apart from providing personal protective equipment such as safety helmets, safety boots and raincoats, should also watch out for the weather conditions and adopt appropriate contingency measures in times of heavy rain and thunderstorms.

The department has published a Code of Practice in times of Typhoons and Rainstorms for use as practical guidelines of work arrangements. It can be obtained from the department's Labour Relations Divisional Offices or downloaded from here.