HEALTH & SAFETY
Combatting Occupational Skin Disease: The Invisible Threat
Arco’s Product & Procurement Manager, Darren Williamson, discusses the monitoring and management of occupational skin diseases and why employers need to take the matter seriously.
Occupational skin disease is a serious health issue that currently goes largely unreported. According to the European Dermatology Forum, the incidence of occupational skin disease in Europe may be underestimated by 10 to 50 times. Workers in the care industry are at particular risk from this invisible threat as they frequently come into contact with materials that can damage skin, through work involving wet hands or washing their hands regularly, or chemicals including detergents, disinfectants and bleach.
For the employee, occupational skin disease can be seriously debilitating resulting in painful symptoms, absence from work, reduced efficiency, and lower morale and in severe cases it can even necessitate a change of employment.
Employers have a ‘duty of care’ to ensure they provide a safe working environment for employees which includes taking measures to protect staff from work-related skin disease. Aside from these legal obligations, occupational skin disease can take its toll on a business in the form of sickness absence, reduced productivity and even recruitment costs in cases where affected staff have to change
their employment. There is also the possibility of prosecution.
It is imperative for both employers and employees to take the issue of occupational skin disease seriously.
Recognising The Signs The symptoms and severity of occupational dermatitis varies greatly depending on exposure levels and an individual’s susceptibility.
However, initial symptoms usually include redness, irritation and sometimes swelling. Blisters may follow, and if these break the skin can then become infected. Contact with some substances may cause small areas of the skin to thicken, eventually forming rough growths which may become cancerous.
While it’s not contagious, untreated dermatitis can spread to other parts of the body, so treatment at an early stage is essential and anyone who thinks they may be developing a skin condition is urged to promptly seek medical advice.
Addressing
Occupational Dermatitis In the first instance skin exposure should be assessed and minimised through elimination or substitution of potentially harmful substances, or by using a Safe Working Distance (SWD) approach and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Where exposure to contaminants can’t be avoided and PPE won’t provide sufficient protection, the use of skin care products that can reduce the impact of skin exposure to irritating substances and hazards can be beneficial.
An Integrated Approach When using skin care products to protect workers, the following three-
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step skin care approach helps to establish best practice:
1. Protect - apply protection cream prior to each work period or after washing hands; reapply at least every three hours.
2. Cleanse - wash hands regularly to avoid prolonged contact with contaminants and prevent them becoming ingrained in the skin. Ensure any soap is rinsed off dry hands thoroughly.
3. Restore - apply restore cream after working, either at the end of your shift or prior to a long break ensuring all parts of the hands are covered.
Once appropriate skincare solutions have been identified, it’s essential to educate staff about their use and benefits to increase compliance. Accessibility of the products is also key so it’s important to take into account workflows and worker behaviour. While appropriate hand cleansers should be located at sinks specified for hand washing, the best location for protect and restore creams will vary, but could include other locations such as in staff areas or changing rooms. In some cases, personal issue packs may be required to address individual requirements. Regularly auditing skincare programs can be a good way to monitor their success and identity areas for improvement.
While occupational skin disease can be an underestimated and invisible threat, thankfully with the right knowledge and resources it is straightforward to manage and its ill effects can be largely avoided.
www.arco.co.uk/skincare www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
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