摘要：Many branches of industry and commerce and numerous other occupations involve substantial cold exposure which may have significant adverse effects on human performance and health, affecting work safety and productivity (i.e. both the amount and quality of goods and services produced). This may cause mounting disadvantages and costs for both the employer and employee (5). Fur thermore, these negative effects are not acceptable when considering work and safety regulations (1). Cold exposure in outdoor occupations is more significant in the nor thern circumpolar areas than in the southern par ts of the Nordic countries or elsewhere in Europe, because of the long winters and harsh climatic conditions. Cold may also be a significant risk factor in indoor work (8), e.g. within the food industry, thus further broadening the category of cold work.(Int J Circumpolar Health 2002; 61(2):136-141)
