1. Skin disorders: training for employees

2. Contents What’s the issue? What’s the issue in our organisation?
Why should we deal with skin disorders?
What are my employer’s responsibilities?
What are my responsibilities?
What should I do if I develop skin problems?
Where can I find out more?

3. What is the issue?
Skin conditions can affect any part of the body – the hands and forearms are the most common
Symptoms can vary from mild and irritating, to severe, chronic and debilitating
Skin cancers can be lethal
Not all skin conditions are caused by work

4. What is the issue?
Approximately 16,000 people who worked in the last 12 months had skin problems they believed to be work-related
In 2008, over 2,180 serious cases of occupational skin disease were reported by occupational physicians and dermatologists
Source:

5. What is the issue?
The HSE defines occupational skin disease as ‘a disease in which workplace exposure to a physical, chemical or biological agent or a mechanical force has been the cause or played a major role in the development of the disease’

6. What is the issue? Routes of skin exposure: immersion splashing
contact with contaminated surfaces, tools, clothing
the substance landing on the skin
Often, liquids are the source of the problem –
sometimes solids are involved

7. What is the issue? Typical occupational skin disorders include:
contact dermatitis
contact urticaria
acne and folliculitis
pigmentation changes
skin cancer

8. What is the issue? Contact dermatitis
This is the most common skin disease, accounting for 72% of all skin problems
Source:

9. What is the issue? There are two types of contact dermatitis: irritant
allergic
They have the same appearance but
different causes

10. What is the issue? Irritant CD Allergic CD Water Detergents Solvents
Common causes of contact dermatitis (CD)
Irritant CD
Allergic CD
Water
Detergents
Solvents
Metal working fluids
Acids
Alkalis
Nickel
Chromium
Latex
Rubber
Dyes
Epoxy resins

11. What is the issue? Skin cancer
The second most common skin disease, accounting for 19% of skin problems
It can be caused by:
UV light (sunlight or artificial)
ionising radiation
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
tar and tar products
Source:

12. What is the issue? Other skin problems Contact urticaria
Acne and folliculitis
Pigmentation changes

13. What is the issue in our organisation?
Insert your organisation name or logo here
Use the supplementary slide and insert your own data
Estimates of number of people exposed to skin risk factors
Number of cases of dermatitis
Number of days’ work lost

14. Why should we deal with skin disorders?
Legal – responsibility under health and safety law
Moral – obligation as a good employer
Financial – dealing with skin problems reduces sickness absence levels and saves money

15. What are my employer’s responsibilities?
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires employers to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees while at work
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require the employer to assess risks and, where necessary, take action to ensure and safeguard health and safety, including health surveillance, if appropriate

16. What are my employer’s responsibilities?
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002 (as amended 2004) require employers to control exposure to hazardous substances to prevent ill health

17. What are my employer’s responsibilities?
Under COSHH, employers must:
carry out a risk assessment (Reg 6)
control exposure to hazardous substances (Reg 7)
have appropriate control measures, and make sure they’re maintained (Regs 8 and 9)
carry out health surveillance of employees (Reg 11)
give employees education, instruction and training (Reg 12)

18. What are my employer’s responsibilities?
Under RIDDOR 1995,* all cases of occupational skin disease that are confirmed by a doctor must be reported to the HSE
* Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations

19. How can we deal with skin disorders?
My employer needs to check:
which agents at work can cause skin damage
there’s no excessive amount of wet work
suppliers’ labels and literature
safety data sheets produced by manufacturers

20. How can we deal with skin disorders?
My employer also needs to:
consider eliminating the use of hazardous substances
consider using ‘safer’ substances
control exposure by using engineering controls, eg automation, enclosure, local exhaust ventilation
consider modifying processes to minimise contact with hands
establish good working practices
provide suitable gloves or protective clothing and/or skin care products (although the use of impervious gloves should be limited)

21. What are my responsibilities?
You have a duty to take care of your health and safety
Examine your skin regularly and report any problems
Take part in the risk assessment process
Read management communications
Ask for information (data sheets, labels) on the substances you use
Use the controls properly, including gloves and protective clothing
Attend training
Attend skin check ups and health surveillance sessions when asked to do so
Maintain good personal hygiene

22. What can I do if I develop skin problems?
Speak to your manager or safety representative
Visit your GP or occupational health department at work
Don’t ignore the problem and struggle on – it could get worse, not better

23. What can I do if I develop skin problems?
There’s a range of free HSE leaflets you can read,
including:
It’s in your hands
Preventing dermatitis at work
Skin checks for dermatitis
Skin contact: distance your skin from chemicals and wet work
Correct removal of gloves
Skin care
Source:

24. IOSH is Europe's leading body for health and safety professionals
IOSH is Europe's leading body for health and safety professionals. We have over 37,000 members worldwide, including more than 13,000 Chartered Safety and Health Practitioners.
The Institution was founded in 1945 and is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that sets professional standards, supports and develops members and provides authoritative advice and guidance on health and safety issues. IOSH is formally recognised by the ILO as an international non-governmental organisation.
The IOM is a major independent centre of scientific excellence in the fields of occupational and environmental health, hygiene and safety. We were founded as a charity in 1969 by the UK coal industry in conjunction with the University of Edinburgh and became fully independent in Our mission is to benefit those at work and in the community by providing quality research, consultancy and training in health, hygiene and safety and by maintaining our independent, impartial position as an international centre of excellence.