CHTMAG.COM HYGIENE FEATURE The symptoms and the seriousness of the condition vary widely, depending on the type and length of exposure to an irritant, as well as the susceptibility of the person concerned. If untreated the condition can spread to other parts of the body, and correct early treatment is essential. According to figures by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), an estimated 84,000 people have dermatitis caused or made worse by their work across all industries in the UK . The costs can be significant: if their employees are affected, companies might not only have to pay the salary of those absent due to occupational skin disorder; they might also have to cover the overtime incurred by those stepping in, as well as any overall losses. If employees leave a company as the result of occupational skin disease, businesses are potentially faced with the costs of recruiting temporary or replacement staff, training, and providing support to other staff. In a worst-case scenario, employers could be burdened with compensation costs. And if news of incidents spread, bad publicity is inevitable. What can facility managers do to combat the threat of occupational skin disorder? In a first step, education is crucial: workers need to know how serious an issue occupational skin disorders are – and what they can do to prevent being affected. Which products can be used? When should they be applied? What is the right hand-washing technique, and when should hands be washed? When are cleansers appropriate, when are sanitisers? And why should I use creams? OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2016 11 CLEANING HYGIENE TODAY Whether it’s eating, opening doors, or greeting people – we use our hands to carry out hundreds of different tasks during the day. We do this so automatically, it can be easy to forget what an important tool our hands really are. It can be easy to forget, too, that we often place them under considerable strain when we’re at work. Work can come with the risk of damaging the skin, with potentially serious consequences for our health and wellbeing – whether it’s exposure to potentially irritating or harmful substances, working in difficult conditions such as cold or hot weather, or the frequent use of cleansers throughout the day. Occupational skin disorders – skin problems acquired in the workplace – can range from mild, short-term skin irritations to serious conditions such as occupational dermatitis. At the extreme end of the spectrum, there is skin cancer. Research leaves no doubt about the seriousness of the problem: every year, around three million working days are lost because of occupational skin disorders, costing the EU an estimated €600m. It is the second most common work-related health problem in Europe – yet it still goes largely unreported. The most prevalent type of skin disorder reported in the workplace is occupational dermatitis, which can be Every year, around three million working days are lost because of occupational skin disorders, costing the EU an estimated €600m.” defined as an inflammation of the skin caused by the working environment or by skin contact with a damaging substance.
Cleaning Hygiene Today October-November 2016
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