OTHER FORMS OF OCCUPATIONALLY INDUCED SKIN DISEASE
- Contact urticaria ("hives" or nettle rash) - gives a shorter - lasting rash than contact dermatitis. It may be caused, for example, by rubber latex in protective gloves.
- Inflammations of hair roots - oil acne (from mineral oil, usually in cutting oils) and chloracne.
- Ulcerative conditions e.g. cement burns from wet cement.
- Skin cancers from excessive exposure to U.V. radiation or from exposure to carcinogenic substances (e.g. mineral oils that have not been solvent refined or severely hydrotreated)
- Photodermatitis - where the skin develops a hypersensitivity to U.V. radiation (e.g. citrus oils used for degreasing purposes)
- Physical agents - heat, light, humidity (e.g. chapping of hands of agricultural workers).
RISK ASSESSMENT/COSHH ASSESSMENT
In order to avoid occupational dermatoses it is necessary to:-
1.Identify any agents with known risks of skin damage using:
- Suppliers labels and literature/hazard data sheets.
- Company/industry guidance or information regarding known potentially sensitive occupations.
2. Assess whether any exposure of the skin to that substance poses a significant risk.
3. Decide what control measures are required. In determining the measures required to prevent ill-health, the following hierarchy should be observed:
(i) Can the substance be eliminated or replaced by a safer alternative?
If not:-
(ii) Apply control measures to MINIMISE CONTACT with the skin, either directly or indirectly, with measures also to ensure that controls are properly used and maintained. Considerations might include:-
- Safe methods of working (eg enclosure, splash guards, ventilation etc.)
- Good personal hygiene
- Good housekeeping
- Adequate working facilities
- Personal protection - protective clothing, barrier creams
(which offer only limited protection and are unlikely to be effective against allergic contact dermatitis) and conditioning creams applied after cleansing
NB - Personal protective equipment should not be the first and only means of control considered.
HEALTH SURVEILLANCE
This is required where there is exposure to a substance known to be associated with skin disease/adverse effects on the skin and where, under the particular conditions of the work, there is a reasonable likelihood that the disease/effects may occur. Published guidance is available regarding the sorts of situations covered by these criteria (see References/Further Details section).
General approach : Ensure arrangements are in place to identify cases of occupational dermatoses, supported by information, instruction and training for employees on health risks, precautions and on what to be alert to.
Statutory surveillance : Where health surveillance is legally required (see COSHH element in this manual), cases of occupational skin disease should be actively sought in the workplace, together with the keeping of appropriate health records. Surveillance might be under the control of a competent person but the more inherently dangerous the dermatosis the more appropriate it is to be looked for directly by a suitably qualified person or medical practitioner.
In cases of doubt as to whether surveillance is necessary, employers will need to obtain advice from an occupational physician or medical practitioner.
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