Skin Care & Hygiene

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Home Safety Info Skin Care & Hygiene

APPLICATION
When engineering and administrative control measures are unable to reduce exposure to processes or environments capable of producing skin irritation and or disease, employees should have access to appropriate levels of preventative measures including hygienic protective equipment and place of work.

RISK ASSESSMENT
The specifications for site hygiene and skin care standards should be assessed following a survey of work areas, plant processes and the external environment to which workers are exposed, and with reference to applicable state regulations or codes of practice.

Site hygiene requirements are likely to focus on amenities such as rest rooms, toilets, wash rooms, lunch rooms, etc.  Skin care, by necessity, focuses on protective clothing such as disposable garments, gloves, etc. to prevent the skin coming into contact with contaminants. Consideration should also be given to issues such as the cause and elimination of industrial dermatitis.

Industrial Dermatitis
Industrial dermatitis can be caused by a range of factors depending on the industry concerned. There are a number of common elements such as regular wet work, wearing gloves that do not breathe for long periods, and frequent use of harsh hand cleaners and abrasive soaps. It is also very important to select the mildest hand cleaner. Also consider the use of barrier creams under gloves to help prevent skin damage, and after care lotions to assist in moisturizing.

Solar Radiation
In Australia two out of three people will develop some form of skin cancer during their lifetime. Often the best way to protect skin from the sun is with the use of clothing and shade. However, any remaining exposed skin should be protected by a sunscreen of at least SPF15 and preferably SPF 30+. There are two main types of sunscreens, chemical absorbers & physical blockers. These can be effectively combined with an insect repellent for dual protection. Refer to the
www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au guidance note for protection of workers from ultraviolet radiation in sunlight.

Insect Repellents
Employees who are required to work outdoors in areas where insect borne disease may be contracted (e.g. Ross River & Dengue virus) must be provided with an adequate supply of insect repellent.  For regions where insect borne diseases are present, health authorities recommend the use of repellents containing between 5 – 20% of N,N-diethyltoluamide (DEET).

Safety Tips

• Use cotton liner gloves and barrier creams to reduce the effects of sweat on hands.
• Don’t wear another person’s gloves, and be aware of chemical permeation.
• Treat all cuts and abrasions no matter how minor.
• Wear long sleeve shirts for outdoor tasks.
• Remember to re-apply sunscreen in line with recommendations.
• Use the mildest possible hand cleaner.

All workers should be trained in the correct use and maintenance of personal protective equipment.

SafetyQuip offers a full scope safety supply service for skin care and hygiene products including cleaning products, soap dispenser, industrial cleaning, cleaning chemicals, sunscreen dispenser and insect repellents.