Skin Surveillance

01

What are work-related skin problems?

Work-related skin issues can be triggered or enhanced by exposure, contact and working with substances such as chemicals but also by having moist/wet hands for extensive periods while in the working environment.

The commonest sites are the hands and forearms and the severity can array from minor irritation to severe restricting painful conditions of the hands that prevent work and everyday activity. By making an early detection of the problem, this can be prevented however in circumstances where not detected it can then affect the skin for many years even after leaving current employment. The most common problem is dermatitis, either allergic or irritant.

02

As an employer, what should you do about it?

Employers have a responsibility to evaluate and asses the hazards that can cause skin problems emerging in their workplace setting, implementing controls in place to prevent problems, and arranging health surveillance if the risk cannot be eradicated.

If you have employees who need to rinse their hands frequently, consistently wear gloves for protection of their hands,  handle soaps, detergents or are have interaction with chemicals, then we would definitely recommend having regular dermatitis checks every year.

03

What does dermatology screening provide?

Dermatology Skin Surveillance can be a last thing you would think of as a concern within the work place. As an employer you have a duty of care to your employees to help detect and identify any irritants or sensitisers to the skin. By doing this you can then control any known exposures or products which are having an effect on the employees and are causing Occupational Dermatitis.