Workers in mining, construction and manufacturing know how irritants, chemicals and constant immersion in water can affect their skin!
Cracked, inflamed irritated skin is a common hazard for many workers due to repeated exposure to industrial chemicals, adhesives, lubricants, sealants, solvents, preservatives, cleansers, detergents, dirt, dust and water.
An effective skin safety routine can help protect workers’ skin in harsh environments.
The impact of occupational skin disorders
There are many occupational skin disorders, including contact dermatitis, which can result in inflamed, itchy, cracked or blistered skin. The main types are allergic contact dermatitis, caused by an allergic response to substances, and irritant contact dermatitis resulting from repeated contact with an irritant (including water) over a long period of time.
Occupational skin disorders not only affect worker wellbeing, they can also have an unfavourable financial impact on organisations. This includes costs associated with absenteeism, loss of staff and job modifications.
Employer responsibilities
Employers have a duty of care to protect their workers from exposure to substances and practices that could cause occupational skin disorders, through good risk management and controls.
However, some substances and practices are more avoidable than others!
For example, workers in manufacturing need to wash their hands frequently and are constantly exposed to harsh chemicals. Many mining and construction workers are outside all day in the sun.
Employers can educate their workers on how to best protect their own skin at work through good hand hygiene practices and skin care routines. This can help reduce the risk of occupational skin disorders happening in the first place.
Good hand hygiene and skin protection can be especially important in workplaces where it’s not practical to wear protective gloves.
What is the 4-step skin safety system?
SC Johnson Professional’s 4-step skin safety system offers high-quality skin care products in ultrasonically-sealed cartridges.
Step 1. Protect
Guard against contaminants, irritants and harsh working environments with skin-protect products. These include Stokoderm Protect and Travabon pre-work creams that add a layer of protection to the skin before starting work. Stokoderm Sun Protect SPF50+ sunscreen helps protect workers against UVA and UVB while outdoors. It comes in tubes and cartridges for wall-mounted dispensers.
Step 2. Cleanse
Clean the skin gently but effectively. The product range includes Refresh and Estesol hair and body washes and Refresh and OxyBAC foam hand washes. Solopol, Kresto, Suprega and Swarfega heavy-duty hand-cleaning products are designed to safely remove oil, grease, ink, resin and other difficult substances. Products come in tubes, cartridges for wall-mounted dispensers and even wipes to clean oil and grease.
Step 3. Sanitise
Instant Foam hand sanitisers, for use without water, help protect workers against germs and offer a high level of hygiene. Instant Foam comes in pump packs and cartridges for touch-free wall-mounted dispensers.
Step 4. Restore
After-work Stokolan Light Pure skin conditioning cream helps to restore the skin. It moisturises the skin and helps prevent dry or cracked skin which may be vulnerable to infection. The cream comes in tubes and cartridges for wall-mounted dispensers.
Using a skin safety system in the workplace can help reduce the potential impact of occupational skin disorders, protecting your workers and supporting productivity.
Blackwoods is Australia’s largest supplier of industrial and safety equipment and has all your occupational skincare needs covered. Shop the SC Johnson Professional range online, or visit your local branch.