Preventing Work Related Contact Dermatitis in Catering Workers

Local Authorities, HSE and Industry working together

Dermatitis in catering

• Contact dermatitis is one of the main causes of ill health in catering workers

• The incidence rate for the hotel and catering sector is twice the all industry average

• Almost all workers engaged in wet work have some degree of dermatitis

What is contact dermatitis?

• A disease involving inflammation of the skin

• Caused by damage to the skin by substances such as solvents, wet work and cleaners

• Some substances cause sensitization

What is contact dermatitis like?

• Inflammation of the skin leading to- Redness- Itching - Scaling / flaking- Blistering- Weeping- Cracking- Pain

Contact dermatitis

• Contact dermatitis cannot be passed from one person to another

• You may not have it now but that does not mean you will never develop it

• Contact dermatitis can be caused and made worse within the workplace

• Often starts on the hands and can spread to other parts of the body

Types of contact dermatitis

• Irritant contact dermatitis- Single heavy dose or prolonged exposure

• Allergic contact dermatitis- Repeated exposure, sensitisation

Contact with substances in the workplace

• Immersion• Direct handling• Contaminated surfaces• Splashing• Depositing

What causes allergic contact dermatitis?

• Onions and garlic• Flour and dough• Fish and shell fish• Meat and poultry• Herbs, seasoning and spices

What causes irritant contact dermatitis?

• Chemical- Detergents- Solvents

• Wet work- Pot washing- Wet food preparation

What is wet work?

• Wet work means having your hands frequently in contact with water. As a guide- More than 2 hours contact with water per

day- 20 or more hand washes per day- Tasks such as daily cleaning of tools and

surfaces- Preparing or processing wet food

How to prevent contact dermatitis?

• Avoid contact

• Protect your skin

• Check for early signs of dermatitis

Avoid skin contact

• No contact – No dermatitis- Make people aware of dermatitis and its

causes- Where possible

• Use automation (eg. mixing or peeling)• Handle food with tools (eg tongs)• Buy in ready prepared ingredients

- Use a dishwasher

- Use tools for cleaning and pot washing

Protect the skin

Dispose of single use gloves after each use

Re-usable gauntlets will be more appropriate for pot washing

Use a non latex single use food grade glove for wet food prep

Choose the correct size and suitable material for individual and task

Know how to put them on and take them off

Protect the skin

• Take regular glove breaks• Wash contamination off the skin• Wash hands before and after glove

use• Dry your hands thoroughly with a

soft paper towel• Use appropriate moisturizing creams

before and after work - Hypoallergenic, fragrance and nut oil free- Ensure all parts of the hands are covered

Check the skin

• Check for early signs of dermatitis• Who checks

- Employee- Responsible person

• What next- Investigation- Follow up- Reporting- Take action

What about food hygiene?

• Damaged skin can be more difficult to wash and clean properly

• Dermatitis can become infected with the potential to contaminate food

• Gloves must be used properly- Dispose of single use gloves after each use- Wash hands before and after wearing

gloves- Take regular glove breaks- Guard against bacterial cross

contamination of food

A cook’s tale

A cook’s tale – the problem

• 32 year old female cook with 10 years experience

• Developed rash on hands arms and face

• Happened on three occasions following cleaning ovens with disposable latex gloves as protection

• Each “attack” lasted 2 weeks and required treatment from her GP

• Referred to skin specialist doctor• Patch test showed allergy to a chemical

in the oven cleaner

A cook’s tale – the solution

• Visit by Workplace Health Connect Adviser

• Removed from oven cleaning until symptoms subsided

• Oven cleaner changed for one which did not contain the allergen

• Nitrile gauntlets introduced for oven cleaning

• Hand care products supplied• Training for cook on performing and

recording skin checks and access to medical advice through NHS Plus

A cook’s tale – the benefits

• Reduced risk of new cases of dermatitis or worsening of dermatitis in existing sufferers

• Experienced and trained workers retained in employment

• Reduced cost in terms of sickness absence and temporary staff cover

Where to get more information & help

• Ask your local Environmental Health Officer

• Ask your Trade Association or Industry Body- British Hospitality Association- National Association of Care Caterers

• Health & Safety Executive Infoline - 0845 345 0055

Where to get more information & help

Advice services for small and medium sized businesses

• England: ‘Ask an expert’ scheme, HSE Infoline 0845 345 0055, www.hse.gov.uk

• Scotland: ‘Healthy Working Lives’0800 019 2211, www.sahw.co.uk

• Wales: Workboost Wales pilot project 0845 609 6006 , www.workboostwales.org.uk

• Milton Keynes: Healthy Workplaces MK 0845 408 9570,

www.healthyworkplacesmk.co.uk/healthyworkplaces/

A range of information is also available

• Catering and hospitality website www.hse.gov.uk/catering

• Skin at work website www.hse.gov.uk/skin

You can prevent contact dermatitis

• Remember…

• Avoid contact

• Protect skin

• Check for early signs of dermatitis

Preventing Contact Dermatitis a presentation by FSA, Local Authorities, HSE and Industry working together

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