Skin at Work –Workers Guide

jane.coombs@working-well-solutions.com

Hazards

• What are the hazards?

• Working with:

• cement

• solvents

• other chemicals

• natural products

• No welfare facilities

• Exposure to the sun

• Already have a skin condition?

Dermatitis

• The warning signs

• Dry, red, sore and sometimes itchy

• Skin may become brittle and crack

• You can prevent this getting worse

Act now!

Prevention

What should you do?

• Wear gloves and other protective clothing

• Replace damaged or dirty gloves

• Keep yourself, your gloves & your workplace clean

• Keep any cuts covered

• Use and store gloves correctly

• Tell your manager, boss, GP or occupational health

Skin care at Work

• Wash any contamination from skin promptly

• Use a proper skin cleanser and the mildest you can

• Dry hands carefully and gently, use soft cotton or paper towels

Use an after work

cream/moisturising

cream to put back the

waterproofing of your

skin

Not Fairy Liquid!

Working Outside

• Exposure to radiation can lead to skin cancer

• Most commonly this comes from exposure to the sun

Sunburn, skin cancer and heat stress

What should you do to prevent?

• Wear protective clothing

• Fair skin? Long sleeves and long trousers

• Wear hat with a brim, safety glasses with UV protection and sunscreen

• Drink lots of water

• Take breaks in cooler places

Health issues with HeatWorking outdoors all day – risk of Heat Stress

• Tired, grumpy, a bit out of it

• Feeling your heart beat faster

• Muscle cramps

• Urine will be a darker than normal colour

Act Quickly

Rest in a cool place

Drink cool, rather than cold drinks

Report to your boss or first aider

Heat Stroke

• Body overheats, sweating stops, rapid heart rate

• Confused

• Could become unconscious

Help required immediately

• Call an ambulance

• Cool the person down

• Lie the person down

• If the person is conscious give them water

Risks - Sun Burn and Skin Cancer

• Skin cancer is one of the most

common cancers in the UK

• Too much sunlight is harmful to your

skin

• In the UK, 2,000 people a year die

from malignant melanoma

Ouch!

Prevention

• Plan work where possible

• Keep covered up when you are in the sunshine

• Try to avoid working when the sun is directly overhead

• Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 regularly through the day

• Don’t forget your ears and scalp if hair is thinning

• Regularly check your skin for moles

Warning signs - ABCD

Speak to your Doctor if you are at all concerned

Your Boss Should

• Look at weather forecast and organise work to avoid heat stress and stroke

• Ensure shade is available

• Provide sunscreens

• Rearrange and lighten the work in extreme heat

• Provide information on how to prevent health problems

• Make sure you have water available to drink

• Make special provisions if you are young, pregnant or are disabled

Further Reading

Guidance and advice from the HSE: http://www.hse.gov.uk/skin/

General advice about skin: http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/HomePage.aspx

Skin Cancer: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/

Video’s and information on http://www.workingwellsolutions.com