21 Square Feet. Work Related Skin Problems. Tracey Sanderson Lead Occupational Health Advisor MS FTG James Harm Occupational Health Advisor.

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1 21 Square Feet Work Related Skin Problems Tracey Sanderson Lead Occupational Health Advisor MS FTG James Harm Occupational Health Advisor.

2 Folding back the layers.

3 The Epidermal Region of the skin

4 At the cellular level Basement Membrane

5 The good, the bad and the ugly

6 Dermatitis What is dermatitis? Dermatitis is a skin condition caused by contact with something that irritates the skin or causes an allergic reaction. It usually occurs where the irritant touches the skin, but not always.

7 Occupational Skin disease.

8 HSE definition The HSE define 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

9 HSE Statistics In 2013, there were an estimated 1297 new diagnoses of occupational skin disease by dermatologists reporting to EPIDERM. Of these, 970 (75%) were contact dermatitis, 79 (6%) were other In 2013, there were 40 cases assessed for disablement benefit

10 Common Work Related Skin Problems Contact dermatitis Contact urticarial Folliculitis and acne Mechanical Skin Disease Skin Cancer

11 Substances that harm skin Common causes of irritant contact dermatitis Common causes of allergic contact dermatitis Be aware of: Check product label or material safety data sheet. CHIP regulations (Chemical Hazard information and Product supply) replace by European CLP regulation June 2015 There are high risk Occupations e.g. hairdressers, printing, metal machining, vehicle repair, dentistry, construction Harmful substances (list on HSE website and occupations) Natural Substances e.g. Food list HSE Prolonged or frequent contact with Water

12 Our responsibilities Legal our responsibility under health and safety law Moral our obligation as a good employer Financial dealing with skin problems reduces the costs to businesses by reducing sickness absence levels

13 Implications for food industry Fitness for food handling Potential food safety What can be passed over? Staphylococcus aureus Botulism Codes Of Practice

14 Managing work to prevent skin problems A P T Avoid / Protect / Regularly check Avoid contact with materials that can cause skin problems Protect the skin Regularly check for signs of skin problems.

15 Other ways to try to prevent problems

16 Risk Assessments. Identify people at risk from jobs and tasks Describe the hazards and any injury or loss that might arise from it Investigate any necessary control measures, gloves and protective clothing, hygiene that are currently in place and control measures that are recommended Decide what health surveillance is appropriate Provide training

17 Managing work to prevent skin problems Regularly check effectiveness of controls Regularly check that gloves and protective clothing are appropriate, and used and stored properly Check the COSHH assessments are up to date especially when using new products that may harm the skin

18 Summary What does good skin look like What affected skin looks like and how it may present Ensure risk assessments up to date Avoid / Protect / Regular check Regularly liaise with your Occupational Health Advisor Obtain a full history (in case it becomes a RIDDOR) Physical spot checks Train and provide as much information as possible