Looking after your Hands at Work

jane.coombs@working-well-solutions.com

35 000 new cases of skin disease per year

55 cases assessed for disablement benefit in 2012

Skin disease accounts for 3% of certificated sickness absence in the UK

At Work

Work most effected

4 main types:

• Irritant dermatitis

• Allergic dermatitis

• Contact urticaria, folliculitis and acne

• Infective - from bacteria, fungi or viruses

Types of work related skin disease

• Drying hands properly after washing is key

• Drying the wrong way can undermine the benefits of washing

• It is easier to transmit bacteria from wet hands than dry hands

• Putting wet hands into work gloves increases the likelihood of skin problems

Drying your Hands Too

If hands dirty –

• With soap and WARM water

• With soap and cold water

• Rinsing with water alone

• Wiping hands with moistened wipes

• Using hand rubs or gels

Choice of hand washing in order of preference

Only use if hands have no evidence of dirt

Use at least 3ml per hand

The use of hand gels

Pre-work creams

Provides a semi-resistant barrier between chemicals

and the skin,

Not the same as protective gloves and are not PPE

Allows the use of less powerful cleansers

Pre-work creams are useful where gloves are

considered not to be necessary

Do not use the term Barrier Cream – it’s misleading

Skin cleansers

Remove contaminants from the skin

Use the least powerful cleanser that will do the job

After-work creams (moisturisers)

Restore the moisture content of the skin and help reduce

the risk of irritant dermatitis

Use at the end of each shift or after washing the hands, or

more frequently if advised by a doctor or a nurse

Selecting Personal Protective Gloves and Clothing

A complex process. The performance of chemical protective gloves and clothing critically depends on the type of

material, thickness, size, length, the extent of chemical permeation, penetration and degradation.

How To Select

Always involve the workforce and seek expert help from the manufacturer/supplier of the chemical or the gloves/clothing or a health and safety professional.

Do not use gloves or protective clothing for more than a day unless the manufacturer can guarantee extended use.

Never launder gloves or single-use protective clothing, unless the manufacturer can guarantee the post-laundered performance

Look after Your Hands

• Report problems to your employer

• Look after your gloves and overalls - keep them clean inside and out

• You always need your hands

Looking after your Hands at Work

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