Transcript Preventing Contact Dermatitis in Catering Workers

Preventing Work Related Contact
Dermatitis in Catering Workers
Local Authorities,
HSE and Industry
working together
Dermatitis in catering
• Contact dermatitis is one of the main causes
of ill health in catering workers
• The incidence rate for the hotel and catering
sector is twice the all industry average
• Almost all workers engaged in wet work
have some degree of dermatitis
What is contact dermatitis?
• A disease involving inflammation of
the skin
• Caused by damage to the
skin by substances such
as solvents, wet work and
cleaners
• Some substances cause
sensitization
What is contact dermatitis like?
• Inflammation of the skin leading to
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Redness
Itching
Scaling / flaking
Blistering
Weeping
Cracking
Pain
Contact dermatitis
• Contact dermatitis cannot be passed from
one person to another
• You may not have it now but that does not
mean you will never develop it
• Contact dermatitis can be caused and made
worse within the workplace
• Often starts on the hands and can spread to
other parts of the body
Types of contact dermatitis
• Irritant contact dermatitis
- Single heavy dose or prolonged exposure
• Allergic contact dermatitis
- Repeated exposure, sensitisation
Contact with substances in the workplace
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Immersion
Direct handling
Contaminated surfaces
Splashing
Depositing
What causes allergic contact dermatitis?
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Onions and garlic
Flour and dough
Fish and shell fish
Meat and poultry
Herbs, seasoning and spices
What causes irritant contact dermatitis?
• Chemical
- Detergents
- Solvents
• Wet work
- Pot washing
- Wet food preparation
What is wet work?
• Wet work means having your hands
frequently in contact with water. As a guide
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More than 2 hours contact with water per day
20 or more hand washes per day
Tasks such as daily cleaning of tools and surfaces
Preparing or processing wet food
How to prevent contact dermatitis?
• Avoid contact
• Protect your skin
• Check for early signs of dermatitis
Avoid skin contact
• No contact – No dermatitis
- Make people aware of dermatitis and its causes
- Where possible
• Use automation (eg. mixing or peeling)
• Handle food with tools (eg tongs)
• Buy in ready prepared ingredients
- Use a dishwasher
- Use tools for cleaning and pot washing
Protect the skin
Re-usable
gauntlets
will be more
appropriate for
pot washing
Know how to put
them on and take
them off
Use a non latex
single use food
grade glove for
wet food prep
Choose the correct size
and suitable material
for individual and task
Dispose of single
use gloves after
each use
Protect the skin
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Take regular glove breaks
Wash contamination off the skin
Wash hands before and after glove use
Dry your hands thoroughly with a
soft paper towel
• Use appropriate moisturizing creams
before and after work
- Hypoallergenic, fragrance and nut oil free
- Ensure all parts of the hands are covered
Check the skin
• Check for early signs of dermatitis
• Who checks
- Employee
- Responsible person
• What next
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Investigation
Follow up
Reporting
Take action
What about food hygiene?
• Damaged skin can be more difficult to wash
and clean properly
• Dermatitis can become infected with the
potential to contaminate food
• Gloves must be used properly
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Dispose of single use gloves after each use
Wash hands before and after wearing gloves
Take regular glove breaks
Guard against bacterial cross contamination of
food
A cook’s tale
A cook’s tale – the problem
• 32 year old female cook with 10 years
experience
• Developed rash on hands arms and face
• Happened on three occasions following
cleaning ovens with disposable latex gloves
as protection
• Each “attack” lasted 2 weeks and required
treatment from her GP
• Referred to skin specialist doctor
• Patch test showed allergy to a chemical in
the oven cleaner
A cook’s tale – the solution
• Visit by Workplace Health Connect Adviser
• Removed from oven cleaning until
symptoms subsided
• Oven cleaner changed for one which did not
contain the allergen
• Nitrile gauntlets introduced for oven
cleaning
• Hand care products supplied
• Training for cook on performing and
recording skin checks and access to medical
advice through NHS Plus
A cook’s tale – the benefits
• Reduced risk of new cases of dermatitis or
worsening of dermatitis in existing sufferers
• Experienced and trained workers retained
in employment
• Reduced cost in terms of sickness absence
and temporary staff cover
Where to get more information & help
• Ask your local Environmental Health
Officer
• Ask your Trade Association or Industry
Body
- British Hospitality Association
- National Association of Care Caterers
• Health & Safety Executive Infoline
- 0845 345 0055
Where to get more information & help
Advice services for small and medium sized businesses
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England: ‘Ask an expert’ scheme, HSE Infoline
0845 345 0055, www.hse.gov.uk
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Scotland: ‘Healthy Working Lives’
0800 019 2211, www.sahw.co.uk
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Wales: Workboost Wales pilot project
0845 609 6006 , www.workboostwales.org.uk
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Milton Keynes: Healthy Workplaces MK
0845 408 9570,
www.healthyworkplacesmk.co.uk/healthyworkplaces/
A range of information is also available
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Catering and hospitality website
www.hse.gov.uk/catering
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Skin at work website
www.hse.gov.uk/skin
You can prevent contact dermatitis
• Remember…
• Avoid contact
• Protect skin
• Check for early signs of dermatitis
Preventing Contact Dermatitis a presentation by FSA, Local Authorities,
HSE and Industry
working together
End