Managing the Risk of Occupational Dermatitis

Both employers and employees should be supported in managing the risk associated with occupational dermatitis and other skin diseases.

We've combined the experience and knowledge of Arco's experts into a guide on best practice working techniques, including support on undertaking workplace risk assessments and the promotion and implementation of correct procedures to help minimise the potential impact to yourself, your employees, and your business.

Employees who work in environments that carry the risk of occupational dermatitis have a duty to be aware of certain risk factors and the consequences of inaction. They should:

• Comply with all preventative measures in place
• Wear appropriate clothing
• Use the skincare facilities provided

Employees should report any signs of skin issues to their supervisor, health and safety representation, occupational doctor or nurse and take the appropriate action required. Any concerns about their skin health should also be discussed with their GP.

Success lies in early treatment of occupational dermatitis. Not only does this lessen the likelihood of a case becoming serious, but it also reduces the risk of the disease reoccurring.

A proactive approach to prevent occupational dermatitis should include a thorough initial risk assessment to:

• Identify hazards
• Established the risks each hazard poses to the skin
• Assess the potential impact on employees

When it comes to identifying the external agents that might pose a hazard, it is important to remember that they are not always the ones that come to mind. Branded chemical products are sometimes assumed to be harmless, although they could actually be hazards which compromise skin safety.

Some employees might be more susceptible to occupational dermatitis than others, so it is important to conduct a risk assessment on an individual basis - taking into account the skin condition and any pre-existing skin health issues.

Even skincare products can carry risks if they are not used in the correct way. This is another reason why staff training and education is crucial.

The following checklist should help you to assess your situation. If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, you may have a higher risk of incidence of occupational skin disease in your workplace.

1. Are there any chemicals in your workplace that carry warning signs (irritant, toxic, corrosive, or harmful) and/or risk and safety phrases?
2. Are the hands of employees exposed to hazardous substances such as paints or inks, adhesives, solvents, or greases?
3. Do hands come into contact with mineral oil-based substances, such as lubricants or machine oils, cutting fluids or greases?
4. Is there "wet working" (prolonged or repeated contact of hands with water) for more than two hours per day or more than 20 times per day?
5. Do hands come into frequent contact with flowers, plants, or animal products?
6. Is there contact with natural substances, such as wood dust or latex?
7. Do employees' hands come into contact with food?
8. Is there a risk of skin abrasion?
9. During the working day, are employees exposed to the sun?
10. Do your workers have any pre-existing skin conditions, such as allergies?

If any of your employees fall into even one of the above categories, then it is time to review your risk assessments and identify how you can effectively manage and minimise the risk to the health and safety.

Building on the results of the initial risk assessment, appropriate procedures should be put in place. As much as possible, this should be a co-operation between the employer and employees.

Any substance that has been identified as a risk should either be eliminated or replaced with a safer alternative. If this is not possible a Safe Working Distance (SWD) approach can be used to control and reduce exposure. For example, you could use screens and splash guards when dealing with liquids, or mechanical aids such as tongs or long-handled tools.

If exposure cannot be adequately controlled by elimination, substitution or SWD, then Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and skincare practices should be a priority: where necessary, suitable protective gloves should be worn, workers hands should be washed regularly, and suitable protective and restoration creams should be applied to keep the skin in a healthy condition.

Before choosing gloves or other protective wear, advice should be sought. Wearing gloves that are poor quality or not appropriate for a particular working environment can sometimes do more damage that wearing no gloves at all. It is also important to keep in mind that certain glove coatings lack ventilation and case cause irritation.

Cleaning and taking care of your hands is an important part of an integrated, proactive approach to preventing occupational skin disease.

It protects against contamination, cleanses thoroughly and replaces lost moisture to aid the skin's natural healing process. We recommend implementing a three-step programme utilising a suitable range of skincare and hand hygiene products.

At Arco, we have a comprehensive range of skincare products that are suitable for different types of skin conditions, environments and usage to help reduce the risk of occupational dermatitis in the workplace.