Posted By Peter MacDonald Hi Given the inclement weather we're experiencing north of the border I'd like to put together a leaflet or similar informing the men on site on the best types of food to eat to combat the effects of the cold and wet. Most of the guys take their own food to work so without patronising them or whoever makes up their 'piece' for the day I'd like to inform them of the benefits of certain foods. Must admit this is on a whim and it may be a 'fruitless' excersise. Any help greatly appreciated. Peter

Posted By Roger the Dodger Afraid I agree with fats. But I quite like beef stew and dumplings on a cold winters. As for underwear - I'm not saying...

Posted By Peter MacDonald While I'm at it. Was the two leaflets we produced last year on Testicular and Prostrate cancer awareness intruding on their private lives. In fact in all three I'm only getting them to check their lunch boxes. Better take down those posters offering help with quitting the fags as well.

Posted By fats van den raad Peter Sorry if I touched an exposed nerve there!! As I said I'm not having a go, just stating a possible adverse reaction. And you are right, the H does stand for health. But frankly I've got it all on concentrating on controlling what we as employers are doing to them health wise, nevermind what they do to themselves through their lunchboxes and other habbits. Still, if you've got the luxury of having the time to run these kind of wider social programmes, go for it! And may they be successful as well!! As for me, I've got other, bigger fish to fry (or is steaming or boiling a healthier option)at the moment.....Maybe, one day.......

Posted By Peter MacDonald As a small comapany we don't happen to have an OCC Health Department. And Fats, don't tell me you don't have the time to look at these small issues that you find yourself to busy or important to deal with. You had enough time to send a frivilous patronising answer to a genuine request for information. Peter

Posted By fats van den raad Like I said (again)Sorry for touching an exposed nerve. No I really do not have the time to run programmes external to the interaction between employees and employer activities. As for posting frivilous and patronising answers.... well I suppose that just comes natural and takes no time at all. I would say "chill out" but if it is really as cold up there as you say, it may be taken the wrong way

Posted By Delwynne Peter, somewhere in amongst all the sniping I think you said you'd recieved some interesting information direct? Would you be kind enough to forward it to me? Thanks

Posted By John Caboche Hi, whilst working as a project manager on an exposed marine civil/rail project in South Devon, I bought a large amount of stainless steel thermos flasks for the guys, so they could have hot drinks out on site to warm themselves through. Combined with "wet wipes" to assure hygeine, this was fairly well recieved by the guys who appreaciated the thought (and the hot tea/coffee). The other measure I implemented was the use of thermotic floatation suits for the guys with fairly static jobs that allowed them to preserve their body heat in inclement weather. We used to use these in the north sea, (on survey vessels) and again they were well recieved by the guys, as being a lot better than the standard construction industry "banana skin" waterproofs. These can be combined with neoprene "anglers" gloves that keep your figers warm even when wet through. Another thing to consider are the self heating tins of food, available from our local garage, I use these when working in night time rail possessions and they are a godsend. Hot scran and no cooking. Hope these suggestions help John

Posted By Laurie Wot's all this about inclement weather north of the border? Temperature hasn't dropped below 9 for the last week (Fife), tho' the wind got a bit fresh earlier this week! Laurie

Posted By Stuart Nagle What is it about northerners and mars bars (deep fired or not) and Irn Brew? I used to work with a Scot in the Falklands who seemed to drink the worlds supply of it mixed with lager tinnies.... Could this be the reason he had bright red hair!

Posted By Karen Todd No, it's deep fried pizza that is the staple diet, is it not? I recall the first time I went into a Scottish chip shop and: a) Saw tins of alcoholic beveridges in the fridge for sale and b) Asked for a pizza and watched them throw it into the fryer. I was horrified, but the woman reassured me that was the way it was cooked there. I had expected all the cheese to fall off or something (but it didn't). She took it out, cut it in half, shovelled a few chips onto it and asked me if I'd like salt and vinegar on it. I said yes, and it was very nice indeed. When I'm in Scotland I make a point of having some deep fried pizza. Yum! Karen

Posted By David Brede To take you quite seriously Peter I would have thought that loss of energy due to combating the cold would require high carbohydrate intake so jacket potatoes, pasta and the like makes sense to me. I too cover rail worksites so our operatives are dealing with night work as well as the cold. I have found that pushing the use of better standards of cabin have made a lot of difference where they are well heated and have power to make hot drinks and having a microwave to heat up meals. My main problem is waiting for possessions to start so the operatives are standing around doing nothing. When they are working the operatives keep warm and it is just me with my clipboard in my hand who freezes!!