Protect Your Skin From Hazards!

2. Safety Moment of the Week
December 27th
, 2015 – January 2nd
, 2016
Protect Your Skin from Hazards!
Skin diseases are one of the most common forms of occupational diseases. Skin is exposed to harmful
chemicals, physical and mechanical hazards every day. It is important to protect our skin whenever there
is a possibility to come into contact with things such as cooling lubricants, grease, oil, acids and caustic
solutions, detergents, cleaning agents, solvents, metallic dust and UV radiation. The sun is one of the
most serious threats to us in regards to skin cancer. Doctors believe that most skin cancers can be
avoided by preventing sun damage.
How we can protect ourselves:
 Eliminate the Hazard
o Avoid using / handling known allergens (i.e. latex, chemicals, material)
o Stay out of the sun, work in the shade or in cooler areas
 Substitute the Hazard
o Use mild cleaners and hand soap whenever possible to avoid irritation
 Protect Your Skin
o Avoid using a brush or abrasives to clean your skin, if possible
o Use warm water wherever possible, higher temperatures can irritate the skin
 Wear Proper Clothing for the Hazard
o Long sleeves and slacks, as well as a wide-brimmed hat, help protect your body against the
sun's harmful effects.
 Wear PPE Appropriate for the Hazard
o Wear leather or heat resistant gloves when handling hot material
o Wear chemical resistant gloves and clothing when necessary
 Do Not Over-Expose Skin to Moisture
o Frequent hand washing and intense contact with water is a significant risk factor to develop
a skin disease. The term wet work is used when the skin (mainly the hands) is exposed to
moisture and wet conditions often and for a long time each working day (> 2 hours).
o Dry skin / hands thoroughly after washing or sweating
 Use Skin Protection Products
o (i.e. sunscreen or barrier creams)
o Make sure products contain no substances that could irritate the skin or trigger an allergy.
 Check for early signs of disease
o Dry and chapped skin is the first indication of a looming skin disease. Skin diseases can
easily be averted at this early stage by skin protection measures and by paying more
attention to skin care.
o Watch for rashes, new growths, skin discoloration and changes in texture. See a medical
professional if you have any signs of skin disease.