Faced with so many critical decisions on a daily basis, it can be easy for facility managers to overlook skin care and think of it as a simple supply item, or for it to fall off their radar screens completely. However, recent data demonstrates that taking a passive approach to skin care products, such as soaps and hand cleansers—or simply buying on price alone—could be a big mistake. This is especially true in manufacturing or industrial environments where hands are exposed to frequent washing with harsh, often abrasive, materials.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 10 to 15 percent of all occupational illness is caused by skin disease. Employees in any industrial setting are exposed to a variety of soilings, potential irritants, temperature swings and, at times, difficult working conditions that can lead to visible skin problems ranging from red, sore, chapped skin to serious instances of occupational dermatitis. Occupational dermatitis is defined as a pathological condition of the skin for which occupational exposure can be the main causal or contributory factor1.
The scope of the problem
Skin disease is the most common of all workplace illnesses and up to 40 percent of workers will suffer skin issues at some point in their working life. In addition, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports more than half of working time lost through industrial diseases is due to dermatitis. According to a recent Health and Safety Executive Study in the United Kingdom, more than 4 million sick days are lost in the U.K. each year due to occupational dermatitis. Finally, many cases of dermatitis will result in an average of two months away from work.
Occupational health and hygiene experts recognize that those who are frequently exposed to “wet work,” where frequent hand washing is needed or harsh chemicals are in use, are most at risk. These groups include workers in heavy industry, automotive repair and health care. Ironically, while hand washing is critical to maintaining hygiene and removing heavy soil, the irritation caused by hand washing often becomes a major disincentive, compounding the issue.
The impact on employers
The cost of skin disease in the industrial environment is significant and is widely accepted to be under-reported. The most prevalent problems resulting from skin disease for employers are:
- Increased absenteeism;
- Reduced productivity;
- Compensation and compliance issues;
- Low staff morale; and
- Possible health and safety or OSHA violations.
Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work regulations 1999 and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, employers have a legal duty to assess risks for dermatitis and prevent employees from coming into contact with substances that could cause the disease.
In addition to eliminating the use of certain irritants or substituting less hazardous chemicals, these regulations require that employers provide personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves. Use of PPEs may not always be possible, and employers should provide appropriate washing and drying facilities close to work areas with or without the use of PPEs. They also should ensure that aggressive cleaning materials (such as the abrasives often used to clean tough soils like grease) are not themselves a factor.
Education
The prime responsibility for the prevention of occupational skin disease lies with the employer. By taking the right preventive steps, the risk of occupational dermatitis can be reduced. Facility managers can play a leading role in minimizing risk and increasing employee satisfaction by selecting products that minimize exposure to irritants.
- Don’t judge the cost by how much the container is; judge by how much product actually is consumed.
- Share your questions, goals and areas of concern with vendors and choose only to work with providers who offer fresh ideas as well as top-notch service.
- Understand that some products, including those which contain pumice or require more water to lather, are not as green as others. Look for USDA bio-preferred or eco-accredited products that can earn LEED® credits in the category of IEQ 3.3.
- Field test products whenever possible before making a final decision.
- It’s not enough for the product to be effective. Test the quality of the dispensers and holders, as well, to eliminate future issues.
The employer has a “duty of care” to ensure they provide a safe working environment and to carry out regular safety assessments for their employees. With this in mind, many facility managers have posted educational materials, such as posters, near hand-washing stations to help at-risk employees to recognize the early signs and symptoms of irritation and take preventive action promptly.
The following are some steps FMs can take to help minimize the risk of dermatitis in facilities:
- Conduct an assessment of current work practices including substances which may represent a danger to the skin, including harsh chemicals or abrasive materials;
- Be open to new products and solutions and proactive in evaluating these and making changes accordingly; and
- Encourage employee and company awareness of possible skin care issues and provide tools to help.
The risk of not addressing skin disease issues in facilities is great, as is the potential reward. Through education and taking the right approach to procurement, facility managers can provide employees with a premium product while actually reducing overall costs. FMJ
