Occupational Dermatitis

The economics of running a business never change no matter what the the transient circumstances.

One axiom that all successful businesses employer is to maximise the income generating potential of their employed assets. Even in today's difficult climate this remains true.

Cutbacks, savings and efficiency drives are the order of the day.

However, despite widespread cuts and efficiency drives, recent figures indicate that employers appear to be maintaining their corporate spend per head on occupational skin protection products. Work related skin problems such as contact dermatitis and dryness is a ever-continuing issue for a large number of occupations.

The legal framework in the UK that governs employer responsibilities regarding occupational dermatitis and dry skin is COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002). One may be forgiven in regarding these regulations as just another rung in the ladder of red tape bureaucracy that employers need to climb in order to conduct their business - this is not the case, though.

Employee health and safety is not only a legal duty, it can also have a beneficial impact on the bottom line.

Those most at risk from workplace induced dermatitis and its associated industrial related injuries are found in the florist, hairdressing dental, printing, catering and textile processing industries. But almost any occupation that involves handling epoxy resins, latex, rubber chemicals, soaps and cleaners, metalworking fluids, cement, enzymes and wood can give cause to dermatitis.

Solvents, corrosive and irritating chemicals also play a part in work related skin problems. Such substances rarely are the direct cause of dermatitis in themselves. However, they can act as a aggravating factor where an incidence of dermatitis already exists.

Those engaged in "wet work" are also susceptible to skin problems. Wet work is defined as any occupation that requires frequent or prolonged immersion in water, usually involving just the hands or hands and forearms. This often gives rise to the problem of dry skin.

An official estimate for the number of employees who suffered from work related skin problems is put at 22,000 in the United Kingdom alone - reference: Labour Force Survey dated 2008/09 undertaken by the United Kingdom Health & Safety Executive. Past data collections have illustrated that staff absence, due to skin damage, is in the area of 250,000 lost working days per year - reference: Extract taken from the Health & Safety Executive Labour Force Survey dated 2001/02.

Estimates of the yearly cost to employees from lost working days are in the region of 20 million pounds sterling. That £20 million per year overhead is a striking reminder of just why skin protection practices at work are worth every penny.

The Chief Executive Of Benchmark Technologies Limited, a leading skin protectant manufacturer, noted: "Despite the recession our sales figures have increased by 16% year on year." Their customer base includes bricklayers, electricians, hairdressers, industrial engineers, kitchen professionals, lab technicians, mechanics and print workers. Even though many of these trades have seen a marked downturn in the last few years, skin care awareness and responsibilities has been maintained.

The following explanation was offered for this observation: "As corporations have reduced their workforce due to the economical realities, I believe that they still understand the very real cost benefits of protecting their investment in their skilled workers. With a reduced and more efficient workforce it is more important than ever to reduce absenteeism attributable to avoidable skin problems."

Personal Protective Equipment, PPE, is the front line defence employed against occupational related skin problems. However, there will always be the possibility of PPE failure, for example incidences where protective gloves split.

Unfortunately, some the employees of trades are notorious for failing to observe PPE best practices. For instance, many car mechanics, despite the best endeavours of their employers, prefer not to wear protective gloves. These mechanics may find wearing gloves inconvenient and, in some cases, the latex material is itself a source of skin irritation.

There is a variety of industrial strength skin protectant barrier cream products available today. These skin protectant products should be regarded as an additional protective measure, never as a replacement for essential PPE.

With so many barrier cream products available, it can be difficult in selecting the one that is best suited to your needs. A good initial guide is to look for a product that dries on the skin quickly, without leaving slippery traces.

Over the last decade a new advanced method of delivering skin protectants has emerged. The innovative mousse based products are considered to have advantages that traditional oil based creams do not possess. These spread smoothly on the skin and dry quickly.

Look for products that are non-toxic and do not contain unnecessary, cosmetic fragrances. In particular, the latter may induce itchiness or skin irritation. In addition, a top quality product will invariably contain moisturisers and the best even boast anti-irritation properties. This will help alleviate any existing irritation and maintain a healthy epidermis.

Indeed, Financial Directors everywhere are beginning to understand that, for a small upfront cost, back-up skin protection in the form of an industrial strength barrier cream sows its own rewards.


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Peter Friswell has more than two decades of experience involving skin care. A dermatitis industrial injury cost analysis demonstrates the benefits of proactive preventative action. In addition, occupational dry skin, and personal skin care issues, are addressed by those who have found a solution.