Preventing Workplace Dermatitis – "It's In Your Hands"
June 1st 2009 Geoff Hooke, general secretary of the BSIF, highlights the problems of occupational
dermatitis and explains how it is being tackled through a high profile campaign
Thousands of people suffer from work-related dermatitis
every year. Statistics show that over 16,000 incidents are
reported through RIDDOR although this is only the tip
of the iceberg since most of these will only relate to major
incidences or three-day sickness absence. The British Safety
Industry Federation (BSIF) estimates that a realistic occupational
figure is between 160,000 and a quarter of a million sufferers.
Mike Credicott, UK general manager of Marigold Industrial,
explains the extent of the problem: "dermatitis remains a very
real issue for businesses across the UK, affecting everything from
engineering and automotive, through to food, construction and
hairdressing sectors, yet it is a workplace hazard that with
consideration, provision of the right PPE and training is easily
prevented."
Bernard Garvey, director of technology at BM Polyco,
continues: "skin exposure to chemicals and wet work in the
workplace is imposing a significant burden on national
economies, affecting employers, employees, health services and
insurance providers".
Work-related dermatitis will apply to any workplace where
irritant and allernagenic materials are being handled. Bernard
clarifies the difference: "Irritant skin dermatitis is the most
common form of skin reaction and the most easily preventable.
It occurs when some form of physical, chemical or
microbiological interference causes the skin to become sore. A
complete recovery from the dermatitis will generally be made
through changing the work practices of the individual.
"Allergic skin dermatitis can be caused by chemicals that have
been added to materials that come into prolonged contact with
the skin, mainly clothing and gloves. Although usually vital in
the manufacture of the material and present in very small
amounts, the chemicals may be sufficient to trigger an allergy in
some people. Another common example is caused by the
naturally occurring proteins in rubber. The allergy is often
minor but can progress into a more severe reaction requiring
medical intervention."
There are two aspects in defining how to prevent work-related
dermatitis. The first is through risk assessment: "Identifying the
hazards within the workplace and providing the right hand
protection solution for them will go a very long way to
eradicating the dermatitis risk" says Mike.
The second is for individuals to be aware of any allergic
sensitivities that might apply solely to them. The Cosmetic
Directive does require skin protectants to identify ingredients
although it is not always possible for this information to be
accurately represented on the product in the workplace. It is for
this reason that industrial skin protectants are outside the scope
of this consumer facing Directive.
Seeking medical advice
"One of the biggest problems with managing dermatitis risk is
that it is not an immediate injury, but builds up over time," says
Mike. "Unprotected skin in contact with workplace substances,
such as engine oils, grease, cutting fluids and cement will have its
natural oils slowly stripped away until it eventually breaks down
with the onset of dermatitis through dry, flaking, sore, cracked
and painful skin."
Yet only one week out of the six year training programme for
General Practitioners is dedicated to industrial diseases. This
means that anyone presenting with dermatitis will likely only
receive attention to the resolution of the symptoms rather than
help in identifying the problem, and so it will keep recurring.
Working Together
With membership manufacturers of hand protection and skin
protectants, the BSIF has been keen to raise awareness of the
problems. This led to the launch of the "It's in your Hands"
campaign in conjunction with the HSE some two years ago. Liz
Bowley, Technical Director of Deb, and Chair of the BSIF "It's in
your Hands" working group outlines the significance: "the
campaign has provided the opportunity for the BSIF and other
organisations representing various aspects of the workplace, to
work together with the HSE for the first time. The outcome has
been that the message and advice is both consistent and
amplified and widely distributed, maximising its potential for
positive impact in almost all areas of employment."
Bernard explains some of the work being carried out: "the
BSIF and HSE advice follows the Avoid, Protect and Check
(APC) approach which has been the cornerstone of the
campaign. This involves: avoiding direct contact between
unprotected hands and substances, products and wet work
where this is sensible and practical; protecting the skin in those
situations where avoiding contact is not possible or practical;
checking hands and other at risk skin areas regularly for the first
signs of itchy, dry or red skin."
The campaign is designed to embrace any supply, training or
employer company to generate greater awareness of work-related
dermatitis. With some 500 organisations participating in the
campaign to date, the objective is to reduce the incidence of
occupational dermatitis by 10% by
the end of 2010. More articles from BSIF Enterprise: | 
