Many workers have to leave work because of skin conditions caused by work. Or others may develop skin cancer linked to outside working. This presentation is aimed at workers, highlighting this issues and what you can do to prevent poor health

1. Skin at Work –Workers Guide
jane.coombs@working-well-solutions.com

2. Hazards
• What are the hazards?
• Working with:
• cement
• solvents
• other chemicals
• natural products
• No welfare facilities
• Exposure to the sun
• Already have a skin condition?

3. Dermatitis
• The warning signs
• Dry, red, sore and sometimes itchy
• Skin may become brittle and crack
• You can prevent this getting worse
Act now!

4. Prevention
What should you do?
• Wear gloves and other protective clothing
• Replace damaged or dirty gloves
• Keep yourself, your gloves & your workplace clean
• Keep any cuts covered
• Use and store gloves correctly
• Tell your manager, boss, GP or occupational health

5. Skin care at Work
Not Fairy Liquid!
•Wash any contamination from skin promptly
• Use a proper skin cleanser and the mildest you can
• Dry hands carefully and gently, use soft cotton or paper towels
Use an after work
cream/moisturising
cream to put back the
waterproofing of your
skin

6. Working Outside
• Exposure to radiation can lead to skin cancer
• Most commonly this comes from exposure to the sun

7. Sunburn, skin cancer and heat
stress
What should you do to prevent?
• Wear protective clothing
• Fair skin? Long sleeves and long trousers
• Wear hat with a brim, safety glasses with UV protection and
sunscreen
• Drink lots of water
• Take breaks in cooler places

8. Health issues with Heat
Working outdoors all day – risk of Heat Stress
• Tired, grumpy, a bit out of it
• Feeling your heart beat faster
• Muscle cramps
• Urine will be a darker than normal colour
Act
Quickly
Rest in a cool place
Drink cool, rather than cold drinks
Report to your boss or first aider

9. Heat Stroke
• Body overheats, sweating stops, rapid heart rate
• Confused
• Could become unconscious
Help required immediately
• Call an ambulance
• Cool the person down
• Lie the person down
• If the person is conscious give them water

10. Risks - Sun Burn and Skin Cancer
• Skin cancer is one of the most
common cancers in the UK
• Too much sunlight is harmful to your
skin
• In the UK, 2,000 people a year die
from malignant melanoma
Ouch!

11. Prevention
• Plan work where possible
• Keep covered up when you are in the sunshine
• Try to avoid working when the sun is directly overhead
• Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 regularly through
the day
• Don’t forget your ears and scalp if hair is thinning
• Regularly check your skin for moles

12. Warning signs - ABCD
Speak to your Doctor if you are at all concerned

13. Your Boss Should
• Look at weather forecast and organise work to avoid
heat stress and stroke
• Ensure shade is available
• Provide sunscreens
• Rearrange and lighten the work in extreme heat
• Provide information on how to prevent health
problems
• Make sure you have water available to drink
• Make special provisions if you are young, pregnant or
are disabled

14. Further Reading
Guidance and advice from the HSE: http://www.hse.gov.uk/skin/
General advice about skin: http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/HomePage.aspx
Skin Cancer: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/
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