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Jane The video of people speaking about the impact of dermatitis on their quality of life is not new, in that this material has been in the HSE's video "Rash decisions" for some years. I sometimes use this video in our one-day training courses for OH practitioners. There is quite a lot on the HSE website now on skin and dermatitis. Much of it is useful, but there are certain parts with which I would take issue. In particular their approach to natural rubber latex does not entirely correspond with the scientific evidence, as I have already stated more than once on this forum. Equally, any risk assessment based on risk phrases or safety data sheets runs a significant risk itself of being wrong! The fact is that the way in which the skin interacts with the (working) environment is highly complex and something where we still have much to learn, as was clear from the various papers presented a week ago at the European Society of Contact Dermatitis conference in Portugal. Simplistic approaches, that may seem logical, can actually be counter-productive. I am currently dealing with three clients where occupational contact dermatitis has been assumed but where the evidence casts severe doubt as to whether this is really the case. So be cautious in your approach. It is all too easy to do what seems to be right but which can actually have the opposite effect to that which you intended. Chris EnviroDerm Services (UK) Ltd. 2 Amery Lodge Farm, North Littleton, Evesham, WR11 8QY, U.K. Tel: 0044 1386 832 311 Dermatological Engineering for a healthier workplace For more information about our support, services and technical aids, visit our recently revised website: (www.enviroderm.co.uk) For immediate help e-mail us at [log in to unmask] or phone on +44 1386 832 311 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please remove this footer before replying. OCC-HEALTH ARCHIVES: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.html CONFERENCES AND STUDY DAYS: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTH OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH JOBS http://OHJobs.drmaze.net OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSING EDUCATION http://www.aohne.org.uk