Occupational Dermatitis

Legal Responsibilities - Employers  Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (2002) (COSHH)  Risk assessments  Education  Health surveillance  Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)

Legal Responsibilities - Employees  Responsibility for their own H+S and of others affected by what they do/don’t do  Co-operating with the employer on Health & Safety  Correctly using work items provided by the employer  Using in accordance with training or instructions  Not interfering with/misusing anything provided for their health, safety or welfare

RIDDOR Reporting It is a legal requirement  Dermatitis is reportable when likely to have been caused or made worse by work  Work involves significant or regular exposure to a known skin sensitiser or irritant  Not reportable if there is good evidence that it is not solely work caused  In 6 months: 133 cases closed, 33 RIDDOR reportable

What is Dermatitis? Red Swollen Sore BlistersItchy Cracked Dry

Irritant Contact Dermatitis What is an irritant? Potentially anything! Healthcare settings:  Water (wet-work)  Soaps  Detergents  Latex/ synthetic rubber  Alcohol gel

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Who is at risk? Healthcare workers  Most common form of work related skin disease in healthcare professionals  Estimated that each year, 1000 nurses develop work-related contact dermatitis  Incidence is 7 times higher than the average for any profession

Work-Related Contact Dermatitis  Primarily on the hands or face  Condition improves when away from work and relapses on return  More than one person affected in same work area or handling same materials

Implications  Infection  Ill Health  Employee absence or adjustment of duties

What can be done? APC approach  Avoid contact with materials which cause these conditions where possible  Protect the skin  Check for early signs of dermatitis Trust/HumanResources/OccupationalHealth/OHSkinPolicy.pdf

Surveillance Tools

Assessment  Suspected work-related cause? Management or Self Referral to Occupational Health Remove sensitiser and/or substitute product for an alternative  Trial and assess progress Attend Occupational Health appointments for review Report to OH if symptoms arise again

What can go wrong?

What to do if you experience problems Inform Your Manager Make sure that a management referral or self-referral to Occupational Health is done, and check that it is reported on Datix Referral forms are available on the following link Attend All Your Occupational Health Appointments Time to do so during working hours should be supported by management

What else do we do?  Pre-Placement Health Screening  Attendance Management  Immunisation Programme  Health surveillance e.g. Spirometry & Skin surveillance  Physiotherapy Service  Counselling Service  General health and work advice Plus much more………

Occupational Health Where are we and how do you contact us? Occupational Health Department Pendeen House Royal Cornwall Hospital Truro (walk around to the right and behind the Dermatology Department which is next to the maternity wing) Tel: