Our skin is an amazing organ: when assaulted from the outside by irritants, or from the inside by disease, skin raises a red danger flag in the form of a rash. The rash could be irritation, a virus, a bacterial infection or an allergy. Dermatitis is the general term for any inflammation of the skin and is a common work-related condition. It is not infectious – it cannot be passed from one person to another.
There are three types of dermatitis:
- Contact dermatitis describes conditions which result from direct contact of the skin with external agents
- Irritant contact dermatitis defines conditions where the inflammation is only to the part of the skin which has come into contact with the external agent
- Allergic contact dermatitis results from skin contact with a sensitising agent which stimulates an allergic response.
Health experts estimate that allergic and irritant contact dermatitis are on the rise in the workplace. In addition, Canadian researchers found in a June 2009 study that cleaners who develop dermatitis are more likely than those who don't to develop work-related asthma symptoms, suggesting employers should use safety and skin-care training as a preventative measure. [
Cutaneous and respiratory symptoms among professional cleaners. Lynde, Carrie et al, Canada. Occupational Medicine, Volume 59, Number 4, June 2009.]
Advice for OHS Reps
The first step is to identify any substances or other agents that may cause dermatitis, and then seek to control the hazard at the source. Remember that under Part 4 - Duty to Consult of the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act (2004) the employer must consult with the OHS rep prior to changes in the workplace, the plant or substances used at the workplace or the systems of work - so your employer should be consulting with you.
Prevention is the smartest way of minimizing contact dermatitis. Recommended action is to eliminate, or if this is not practicable, minimise skin contact with irritants.
- Ensure that all substances have an up-to-date MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet). If they don't, either ask your employer to provide one, or ring the manufacturers or suppliers of the products directly.
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Check the MSDSs to identify any possible problem substances - look for the words
'may cause sensitisation by skin contact', 'irritating to skin', 'avoid contact with skin' or
'Wear suitable protective clothing and gloves'. Consider whether:
- the substance can be eliminated
- if cannot be eliminated, whether it can be replaced with safer substances;
- if this is not possible, whether the work can be done differently to isolate the process, to stop workers coming into contact with the substance
- finally if the substance must still be used, whether appropriate, carefully chosen and properly maintained PPE (personal protective equipment) has been provided; and
- workers have been adequately trained in the potential effects of the substances, how to use them correctly and also on the PPE provided.
- Ensure that the work area is kept clean; spills, splashes and sprays are avoided and cleaned up promptly if they occur
- Hands should be washed with a mild soap and water, and thoroughly dried. The employer should provide adequate washing facilities (see the Compliance Code for Workplace Amenities and Work Environment - in particular Change rooms and other facilities) . The employer should provide a vegetable oil based cleanser to remove grease or other substances that cannot be removed with soap and water. The employer should provide also barrier creams to apply before work. Solvents should never be used to clean hands.
- Cuts and abrasions, even minor ones, should be treated promptly.
- Ensure that information about dermatitis, and its link to asthma, is included in all training programs.
More information on Dermatitis
Dermatitis can affect many workers in all sectors, including those working in:
- manufacturing
- printing
- catering and food processing
- health care
- cleaning
- teaching
- construction
- agriculture/horticulture
- hairdressing/beauty care
The symptoms of dermatitis
Areas of irritated skin may be red, swollen, tender, hot, painful or itchy. If the reaction is severe, the skin may blister or weep and can become crusty. Skin affected over a period of time tends to thicken and change to a deeper colour. If exposure occurs to a sensitising agent, the reaction may spread to other areas of the body. As noted above, research has confirmed a strong link between work-related symptoms of asthma and dermatitis among cleaners. Sufferers of dermatitis may not be able to continue with normal duties at work.
Possible causes of dermatitis
Chemical, physical and biological agents can cause dermatitis and other occupational skin diseases. How quickly dermatitis develops depends on the substance itself, the strength or potency and how long and how often it touches the skin.
Chemical agents include strong irritants and corrosives; organic solvents; oils and related liquids; chemical sensiters (such as metal salts, dyes, formaldehyde, gluteraldehyde, isocyanates, rubbers, etc); fibreglass products; carcinogens (such as tar, pitch, mineral oils, etc); cement and chlorinated hydrocarbons. These will variously burn the skin or irritate it, remove its protective oils, block the pores, cause allergic contact dermatitis, lead to sensitisation, cause skin cancers, or cause chloracne.
Physical agents include abrasions and cuts; heat, cold and humidity; water; sunlight and radiation; photosensitivity. They can lead to excessive dryness, irritation and burns.
Biological agents include bacteria and viruses; fungi (eg: tinea, ringworm); insect bites; and plants and plant products (eg resins, wood dust).
See Also:
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The Occupational Dermatology Research and Education Centre (ODREC) website . The ODREC, which is situated in Melbourne, undertakes research on occupational skin disease and there are a number of factsheets downloadable from the site. Interesting information includes a series of pamphlets for school leavers and new workers on Skin at Work
- Dermatitis: The Facts Starting from Scratch - a NSW WorkCover publication
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From the Construction Safety Association of Ontario (CSAO), an
e-learning presentation on what dermatitis is, why it is a potential problem in the construction workplace and what actions employers and workers should take. While the Canadian legislation has a different name, the employer duties are very similar. The information is useful for all workers who may be at risk of contracting dermatitis.
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From the UK union UNISON Dematitis at work [pdf] - a booklet giving reps advice on what can be done to avoid workers suffering from skin problems caused, or made worse by work
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UK's HSE has a great deal of information on Occupational Skin Disease:
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An Occupational Skin Disease website, with information on the different types of common work related skin diseases and a plan of action for controlling skin diseases. There are a number of leaflets, including:
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Preventing Dermatitis at Work: Advice for employers and employees [pdf]
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Preventing contact dermatitis at work [pdf] a leaflet about a work related skin condition, contact dermatitis. The leaflet shows you what to look out for and how to prevent dermatitis.
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It's in your hands - a joint HSE/BSIF leaflet - promoting improved skin care at work.
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There is also a new inspection pack for awareness raising and enforcement activity in industry sectors where contact dermatitis is a problem: Topic Inspection Pack - Work Related Contact Dematitis [pdf]
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a page and information on dermatitis for Hairdressers. The HSE says that up to 70% of hairdressers suffer from skin damage. Let's Cut Out Dermatitis!
- a new page:
Information for medical and health and safety professionals and trainers that deals with work-related skin diseases (WRSDs) in more technical depth.
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and as part of its Disease Reduction Program, a webpage on reducing skin disease.
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