Dermatitis - Keele University
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Department of Occupational Health and Safety

 

Department of Occupational Health and Safety

Dermatitis

Occupational dermatitis can affect almost all areas of work. Signs can be redness, itching, scaling and blistering. If it gets worse the skin can crack and bleed and the dermatitis can spread all over the body. It can be bad enough to keep a person off work and serious enough to force job changes. If spotted early and adequate precautions taken most people make a full recovery. However, some people can be affected for life.

Occupational dermatitis is also in a category of disease reportable to the Health and Safety Executive.

How is it caused?

Occupational dermatitis is caused by the skin coming into contact with certain substances at work. Because of this it is sometimes called occupational contact dermatitis. It is not infectious so it cannot be passed from one person to the other.

Dermatitis usually affects the hands or forearms, the places most likely to touch the substance. It can however get onto the face, neck or chest from certain types of dust, liquids and fumes. Dermatitis can even spread to parts of the body that have not been in contact with the substance. It can be painful, but in most cases, with care, can be prevented.

According to the Health and Safety Executive, business sectors with the highest risk would include

  • catering
  • cleaning
  • construction
  • engineering
  • printing
  • chemical
  • health care
  • agriculture/horticulture

The Legal Position

As an employer the University has a duty under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 to prevent employees from coming into contact with substances hazardous to health which cause dermatitis. If it is not reasonably practicable to prevent exposure to these substances then everything that is possible must be done to control that exposure.

Employees also have a legal duty to co-operate and to take reasonable care of their own health. For example, any equipment provided to protect the health of an employee should be properly used.

The following information should assist you further.

Further information will be provided by the Occupational Health Manager and the leaflet "Preventing Dermatitis at Work - Advice for Employers and Employees" IND(G)223(L) is available from the Occupational Health and Safety Unit.

Further Information

IF YOU ARE IN CHARGE, ASK YOURSELF FOUR QUESTIONS

1. Do we have a problem?

Do you have skin problems? Do any of your workers have a skin problem? If there are a few of you with skin problems, something at work might be causing it. If there's a safety representative ask them if they've noticed any problems. Even if the answer to this question is no, you should still ask yourself the next three questions.

2. Do we know what we are using?

Find out. Read the labels, look for the safety data sheets. If there isn't one get hold of it - the supplier must give you this information. See if any of the substances you use can cause dermatitis. Look for the words 'may cause skin sensitisation', or 'irritating to skin' on the label or safety data sheet. Remember some things that cause dermatitis might not be labelled. Shampoos, some cleaning materials and some diluted metal working fluids do not carry these labels; but if you use them over a long period of time they can still cause dermatitis.

3. Can we use a safer alternative?

If you are using something that can cause dermatitis, can you use something safer? Try asking your trade association.

4. Can we do the job in a safer way?

If you can't use a safer alternative, can you do the job in a safer way? Can you stop skin contact with the substance by automating the process for instance? If it's dust and fumes that are causing the dermatitis, some sort of exhaust ventilation might help.

In some jobs there is nothing you can do to stop contact with substances that can cause dermatitis but there is still a lot you can do to protect yourself.

  • Wearing the right sort of gloves can help. If you can't wear gloves all the time, at least wear them when you are handling substances that can cause dermatitis and remember to change them frequently.
  • Use a moisturising cream before and after work. This will help to replace the natural oils that your skin loses when you wash or when you come into contact with detergents and solvents.
  • Wear a face shield or full-face mask, and protective coveralls if you do a job where liquids, fumes or dust that can cause dermatitis might get onto your face and neck.
  • Keep your skin clean.
  • Make sure your protective clothes are clean and intact.
  • Keep your workplace clean, including machinery and tools.
  • If you use diluted chemicals, make sure they are diluted to the correct strength - if they are over strength they are more likely to cause dermatitis.

If you are in charge make sure:

  • you tell your employees about any substances they work with that can cause dermatitis and train them to use properly any control measures that you provide;
  • you provide the right protective clothing and gloves, ask your supplier. There are different types for different jobs to protect against different substances;
  • you have protective clothing cleaned and replaced regularly (unless they are disposable);
  • there are adequate washing facilities.