Transcript Occupational Dermatitis Legal Responsibilities

Occupational Dermatitis
Legal Responsibilities - Employers
 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations
(2002) (COSHH)
 Risk assessments
 Education
 Health surveillance
 Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences
Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)
Legal Responsibilities - Employees
 Responsibility for their own H+S and of others affected by
what they do/don’t do
 Co-operating with the employer on Health & Safety
 Correctly using work items provided by the employer
 Using in accordance with training or instructions
 Not interfering with/misusing anything provided for their
health, safety or welfare
RIDDOR Reporting
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It is a legal requirement
Dermatitis is reportable when likely to have been caused or
made worse by work
Work involves significant or regular exposure to a known skin
sensitiser or irritant
Not reportable if there is good evidence that it is not solely
work caused
In 6 months: 133 cases closed, 33 RIDDOR reportable
What is Dermatitis?
Red
Dry
Cracked
Itchy
Swollen
Sore
Blisters
Irritant Contact Dermatitis
What is an irritant?
Potentially anything!
Healthcare settings:
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Water (wet-work)
Soaps
Detergents
Latex/ synthetic rubber
Alcohol gel
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Who is at risk?
Healthcare workers
 Most common form of work related skin disease in healthcare
professionals
 Estimated that each year, 1000 nurses develop work-related
contact dermatitis
 Incidence is 7 times higher than the average for any
profession
Work-Related Contact Dermatitis
 Primarily on the hands or face
 Condition improves when away from work and
relapses on return
 More than one person affected in same work area or
handling same materials
Implications
 Infection
 Ill Health
 Employee absence or adjustment of duties
What can be done?
APC approach
 Avoid contact with materials which cause these conditions where
possible
 Protect the skin
 Check for early signs of dermatitis
http://intra.cornwall.nhs.uk/DocumentsLibrary/RoyalCornwallHospitals
Trust/HumanResources/OccupationalHealth/OHSkinPolicy.pdf
Surveillance Tools
Skin Assessment Tool
Normal Skin – Generally feels smooth
and flexible when touched with no irritation
– No Action Required
Typical cases of Occupational Skin Problems
Anything resembling these may require investigation – please send a management
referral to occupational health so action can be taken
Severe Dry Skin
Contact Dermatitis
Possible
Latex
Allergy
Hand Dermatitis
Assessment
 Suspected work-related cause?
Management or Self Referral to Occupational Health
Remove sensitiser and/or substitute product for an alternative
 Trial and assess progress
Attend Occupational Health appointments for review
Report to OH if symptoms arise again
What can go wrong?
What to do if you experience problems
Inform Your Manager
Make sure that a management referral or self-referral to Occupational
Health is done, and check that it is reported on Datix
Referral forms are available on the following link
http://intra.cornwall.nhs.uk/Intranet/AZServices/O/OccupationalHealthRCHT/PoliciesGuidanceForms.aspx
Attend All Your Occupational Health Appointments
Time to do so during working hours should be supported by management
What else do we do?
 Pre-Placement Health Screening
 Attendance Management
 Immunisation Programme
 Health surveillance e.g. Spirometry & Skin surveillance
 Physiotherapy Service
 Counselling Service
 General health and work advice
Plus much more………
Occupational Health
Where are we and how do you contact us?
Occupational Health Department
Pendeen House
Royal Cornwall Hospital
Truro
(walk around to the right and behind the Dermatology Department which is next to the maternity wing)
Tel: 01872 252770
Email: [email protected]