Your skin is the outer layer of protection to your body. Exposure to some chemicals and
other hazardous materials can lead to this protection being broken down. It can cause
pain, discomfort and long term ill health.
So where do the risks come from?
Your skin can come into contact with hazardous materials through everyday work activities
such as
1. Wet work and use of chemicals in many workplaces 2. Mixing or decanting chemicals and materials
3. Having skin contact with substances on contaminated surfaces, containers or clothing
or 4. Exposure to, or working with animals or
food stuffs and finally 5. Don’t forget the sun
What are the causes of these risks?
Damage to your skin can arise in any situation where direct or indirect exposure is possible,
for example
6. Immersing hands in hazardous materials 7. Splashes, aerosols and dusts landing on
the skin 8. Where there is no containment or reduction
in use 9. Where there is poor or no extraction at
the source 10. Where staff do not have suitable protective
clothing such as gloves or 11. Have the wrong or poorly maintained protective
clothing 12. Not knowing how to put on or take off
gloves safely 13. Poor house keeping and storage of chemicals
or hazardous substances
And where there is a
14. Lack of awareness of the risk among staff and poor management
So how does all this affect your health?
Damage to your skin can lead to a number of health effects:
15. Irritant dermatitis or burns 16. Skin sensitisation and allergic dermatitis
even to very small quantities 17. Pain and discomfort
18. Infection 19. Sunburn and possibly Cancer
How do you control the risks?
Taking steps to control the risks means you must identify which hazardous materials staff
are exposed to. Then consider what steps are needed to remove or reduce this exposure,
for example:
20. Use chemicals and hazardous substances that are less harmful to skin
21. Ensure good containment of the hazardous material
22. Consider tools and working practices that would minimise exposure to wet work and chemicals
23. Provide and maintain good work equipment and extraction systems
24. Provide suitable protective equipment such as overalls, gloves or aprons as appropriate
25. Practice good storage and house keeping 26. Consider skin health checks for exposed
staff 27. Always monitor your systems to ensure
they are working correctly
Following these examples will help you reduce your health risks at work. For more information,
check out the where to get extra help and support chapter at the end of this DVD and in the guidance pack.