Occupational Dermatitis

1
Occupational Dermatitis

• What is is?
• What causes it?
• Controlling the risk
• Recap

2
What is it?

• Occupational dermatitis is an inflammation of
  the skin causing itching, pain, redness, swelling
  and small blisters.

3
What is it?

• The outer layer of skin acts a barrier against
  toxic substances.
• If these substances remove fats and oils from
  this layer, the substances penetrate deeper and
  combines with natural proteins to produce an
  allergic reaction.

4
What is it?

• Irritant Contact
• 90 of all dermatitis is caused by direct contact
  with a substance
• It may occur randomly

• Allergic Contact
• Once sensitised, the problem is life long and
  any exposure to the substance will result in an
  attack.

5
Dermatitis

• Irritant Contact

• Allergic Contact

6
What causes it?

• Irritants
• Detergents
• Solvents
• Engine oils
• Cutting fluid
• Lubricants
• Fibreglass

• Allergens
• Salts
• Nickel
• Epoxy
• Resins
• Dyes
• Rubber

7
What causes it?
8
Controlling the Risk

• Employer
• Use safer substances
• Provide information
• Provide training
• Supply PPE
• Comply with the law

• Employee
• Be aware of dermatitis
• Take care with substances
• Use PPE
• Maintain PPE
• Report symptoms

9
Recap

• Caused by contact with substances
• Symptoms can occur randomly
• Itching, pain, swelling, blisters
• Be aware of the problem
• Use PPE controls
• Report any symptoms