Skin Management (OBUHSN-23)

Introduction

This health and safety notice must be read and understood by all employees of Oxford Brookes University likely to be involved in work activities that bring them into contact with processes, products or substances that may have a damaging effect on their skin. Where applicable, it should also be read by all members of the student body.

The University recognises its responsibility to safeguard the safety health and welfare of its employees and students. This requires it to take all practicable measures to ensure that the conditions of work do not cause, exacerbate or contribute to damage to the skin or through penetration of the skin to damage of the internal organs of the body.

The purpose of this health and safety notice is to ensure that there are clearly defined safe working practices and adequate provision of the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and washing facilities in relation to skin care where needed. Detailed information on PPE is given in OUBHSN-21.

It is the responsibility of all staff and students working with products or processes identified as potentially damaging to the skin to co-operate with the University in relation to this health and safety notice. In particular this will include adherence to the agreed working practice, reporting any problems that arise from the working practices, correct use and care of PPE provided, maintenance of a high standard of personal hygiene and taking measures to avoid damage to the skin when away from the working environment.

Health and Safety enquiries

+44 (0) 1865 603060

healthandsafety@brookes.ac.uk

Occupational skin problems

Occupational skin diseases are primarily skin diseases, usually taking the form of contact dermatitis, caused by occupation. There are other forms of occupational skin disease that are not contact dermatitis. For example there could be infection from micro-organisms or a contact with a substance that may be carcinogenic. To cause an occupational skin disease, there must first be penetration of the surface layer of skin from a substance that provokes a reaction from the vulnerable skin beneath. Further definitions and information on common occupational skin diseases can be found in Appendix 1.

The aim of a skin care policy must be the elimination of contact between the skin and anything that will cause it or the body damage or disease. However in practice this is not usually possible. The practical aim must be to reduce contact with any substance to below the “no effect level” which is defined as contact with a substance for a duration and at a frequency and strength at which contact dermatitis or other damage to health will not occur in nearly all the population. This health and safety notice sets out the measures by which the University intends to achieve this aim.

Skin risk assessment

Under COSHH and MHSW Regulations the University must make an assessment of the risks to any workers liable to be exposed to a substance hazardous to health. The prime purpose of this risk assessment is to determine the measures required to prevent skin disease. The presence of any agents used in or given off by processes or activities with known risks of skin damage needs to be established. This can be achieved in a number of ways:

Identify whether a substance is hazardous by referring to Appendix 2 that lists the more common substances known to be hazardous to health. Note: this list is a selection and is not exhaustive.
Refer to suppliers labels and hazard data sheets for indication that substances are corrosive or harmful etc.
Experience within the Faculty or Directorate may suggest a risk of skin damage from a particular substance or process
Many occupations are known to carry a risk of skin damage. Examples are jobs where there is regular immersion of hands in liquids including water, skin contact with substances such as solvents, mechanical trauma from sharp particles or where plants and animals are handled.
Where newly introduced substances are handled or existing substances are used in new ways and there is reason to suspect they may cause skin damage. In this case, the risk assessment should be revised.

Risk assessments and data sheets will be made available to any member of staff, students or others who requires them. For further information or advice, reference should be made to the Senior Occupational Health Advisor, Safety Officer or Safety Advisors within the relevant Faculty or Directorate.

Working practice

Relevant and appropriate working procedures must be established for all tasks and products suspected to be hazardous to the health of those working with them.

In the first instance, wherever possible, contact with the hazardous substance should be avoided by eliminating it or replacing it with a safer alternative. Otherwise, control measures should be applied that minimise contact to the skin from the hazardous substance.
Measures should be put in place to ensure controls are properly used and maintained, such as adequate and appropriate washing and drying facilities, appropriate skin care products and attention to personal hygiene such as the complete ban of food or drink in the areas where the substances are handled.
PPE such as gloves and overalls should not be the first or only means of control considered. Any gloves used must be appropriate for the substance(s) being used and the level of protection provided by the glove must be considered. Normally, latex gloves will be of the powder free variety. For advice and guidance on suitable PPE refer to manufacturer’s data or contact the Senior Occupational Health Advisor or the Safety Officer. Adequate provision must be made for inspection, cleaning, maintenance, repair and replacement of any PPE provided.
Safe methods of working with known toxic agents should be applied to unknown new chemicals in order to limit the effect on the skin that might otherwise be caused by an unconfirmed or unsuspected harmful contact.

Health surveillance

Where necessary, exposure of workers to the substances used must be monitored and appropriate health surveillance undertaken to identify any adverse effects related to exposure so that steps can be taken to treat the condition and identify any need to reassess the risk of the substance being used and the control measures in place.

Any individual exposed to agents known to cause skin damage as identified by risk assessment should be referred to Occupational Health for appropriate health surveillance and guidance. In addition to this, adequate and appropriate training should be given to all staff working with hazardous substances, (see Training below, paragraphs 13-14).

Training and information

Appropriate education and training must be provided to enable those using hazardous substances to comply with the health and safety measures in place. This training should include general education on the nature and risks to health of the substances being used and the precautions to be taken including self-examination of the skin for signs of skin disease, personal hygiene and skin care, training in safe working practices, the correct use and care of PPE and reporting procedures for any problems identified.

Training is available from the Senior Occupational Health Advisor or the Safety Officer.