Dermatitis at work

• Legislation
• Further Information

Dermatitis - or, more correctly Occupational Dermatitis - affects virtually all types of work. In catering, for example, contact with flour, sugar, fruit juices, onions and such, can harm the skin. In cleaning, chemicals can damage the skin., and so on. But think about hairdressing, construction, engineering, health care, and so on. Dermatitis usually affects the hands and forearms. Sometimes the head and chest may be affected. If the skin comes in contact with dusts, liquids, and fumes then redness, itching, scaling and blistering may occur. 66,000 people in the UK suffer from a skin disease due to their work. Half a million working days are lost each year.

Legislation

Employers must comply with The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999 to prevent employees from coming in contact with substances hazardous to health which cause dermatitis.

Further Information

HSE: Preventing dermatitis at work [PDF file information] - advice for employers and employees
Advice for employers and employees. 

HSE free leaflets - chemicals list of free leaflets relevant to the chemicals industry. Advice for employers and employees.