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on 12/8/04 6:30 pm, Helen Hannar at [log in to unmask] wrote: Dear All, Are there any guidelines on persons of Afro-Caribean origin working in Cold Environments (temperatures for +10 degrees C to minus 4degrees). Obviousley appropriate clothing is provided but a vague memory recalls something about the level of pigmentation in Afro-Caribean skin making that person more susceptible to cold environments and so unsuitable for working in freezer type environments. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks, Helen Helen Hannar OH Advisor OHServices (NE). Tel:- 01388 777962 Mob:- 07950 154541 Fax:- 01388 777962 Whatever you Wanadoo <http://www.wanadoo.co.uk/time/> This email has been checked for most known viruses - find out more here <http://www.wanadoo.co.uk/help/id/7098.htm> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please remove this footer before replying. For list archives and documents, go to http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.html for list archives For jobs in Occupational Health, go to http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/OHJobs/ Hello Helen I don't see how skin pigmentation should affect the ability to cope with work in a cold environment. Some people have difficulties with coping with extremes of thermal environment either due to health problems such as circulatory disorders, hypo/hyperthyroidism or from a level of personal preference. Are you confusing darker skinned people having more difficulty absorbing enough light to manufacture vitamin D, particularly muslim and asian women who wear long clothes which may include a long dark robe and hijab ( head covering). Such people are more pre-disposed to developing rickets particularly if they have dietary deficiencies. The British Occupational Hygiene Society have published a guide on the thermal environment which may be a useful resource. If you are a nurse and a member of the RCN then I believe that this book is available in the RCN library. Hope this is helpful. Anne Harriss ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please remove this footer before replying. For list archives and documents, go to http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.html for list archives For jobs in Occupational Health, go to http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/OHJobs/