Health and Safety Update (May 2009)

Healthcare workers and dermatitis

Better education for healthcare workers about treatment for dermatitis and the risk it poses for growth of bacteria on the skin is needed, according to a guideline recently developed by the Occupational Health Clinical Effectiveness Unit (OHCEU).

Research evidence, which focused mainly on healthcare workers, has found that bacteria and other micro-organisms are more likely to be present on skin that is affected by dermatitis than on normal skin. The guideline recommends that health care workers with dermatitis should be informed of these risks, which are higher with more acute and more severe lesions.

The guideline recommends that affected employees should be advised by their employer to:

• use moisturising creams at work;
• use alcohol rubs where appropriate as a substitute for full hand washing;
• when working in healthcare, to seek early treatment to minimise symptoms from their skin condition and allow them to continue in their usual job.

It also recommends more skin care programmes for workers with dermatitis, including education and advice about good hand washing and drying techniques, glove use, and the provision of moisturising creams at work and gives examples of when healthcare staff with dermatitis might need to be moved away from clinical work.

It is known that one in ten people suffer from hand dermatitis in their lifetime. Despite this there has been relatively little research carried out into whether there is an increased risk of transmitting bacteria from a person with a skin condition. It is important to be able to determine the risks, to be able to put in place systems that will protect patients and healthcare workers alike.

If this is part of your workplace activities then you are advised to contact the advice line or your dedicated Consultant for more information.

What are they looking for this time?

The HSE Food department has listed what inspectors will be looking at when they visit factories in 2009/10. The main focus will be the overall management of health and safety at director / board level and the investigation of worker involvement in health and safety matters.

Other topics that inspectors may focus on include:

migrant workers and other vulnerable workers, good management practice and compliance with legal responsibilities; 

• risk management – competent management in terms of basic, sensible and proportionate health and safety;
• competency of any health and safety consultants contracted;
• musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) – whether tasks causing high risk of manual handling injuries and consequent ill health have been addressed, including awareness of upper limb disorders (ULDs) and use of available tools for assessing repetitive injuries;
• noise and vibration – good practice in controlling noise and vibration, including health surveillance;
• falls from height – preventing falls from height by using appropriate equipment and safeguards;
• dermatitis – prevention of control of dermatitis caused by contact with food products, cleaning agents etc. by elimination of the risk where possible, skin checks, handcare regime and correct glove selection and use;
• machinery – for example, compliance with Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations
• loading and unloading – management of workplace transport around loading bays and MSD / back injury prevention
• slips and trips – management of control measures to prevent injuries caused by slipping on food products, wet floors etc
• occupational asthma – prevention of occupational asthma from flour and other dusts.

Your Mentor Services management system will help you to achieve compliance with the above issues – use it- as well as contacting our 24/7 advice line for further information and assistance.