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
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