Dermatitis costs industry millions - The solution is in your hands - 23 April 2007

Work related dermatitis (also known as eczema) can cause serious problems. Many people live with pain and discomfort because of it and have to give up work; it costs industry millions of pounds each year in sickness, absence and retraining costs and also results in millions of pounds compensation being paid out to victims.

However, by taking a sensible, positive approach to looking after health and safety, you could prevent work-related dermatitis and its associated problems using simple controls.

Whether you are an employer or an employee the HSE has joined forces with Manchester and Merseyside Occupational Health and Safety Groups to set up the "Rash Decisions Affect Your Business" seminar at Haydock Park on Tuesday 24 April so that you do not become a victim of work related dermatitis.

The one-day seminar provides an opportunity for employers to improve their management of wet work and exposure of the skin to chemicals.

Among those attending are representatives of organisations as varied as Frank Rogers Building Contractors from Liverpool, Manchester United Football Club, Solvay Chemicals, South Ribble College, Stockport MBC and the universities of both Liverpool and Manchester – illustrating the wide range of activities that can lead to occupational dematitis.

Bob Rajan from HSE says:

"There are serious consequences for all from failing to control work related dermatitis, including sickness absence and loss of productivity from employees, and the possibility of enforcement or court action for their employer, along with the associated adverse publicity plus the use of valuable NHS resources.

“Work related dermatitis can have chemical, biological, physical and mechanical causes and also result from work that involves having hands wet for long periods.

"Chemical causes include paints, solvents, dusts, hair shampoos, and cleaning chemicals; biological ones can be plants, flowers, bacteria and fungus, while physical causes can be through vibration, radiation and extremes of temperature and humidity. Mechanical causes include abrasion."

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