A short video on how to look after your hands at work and the statistics on why you need to care for your hands

1. Looking after your Hands
at Work
jane.coombs@working-well-solutions.com

2. 35 000 new cases of
skin disease per year
55 cases assessed for
disablement benefit in 2012
Skin disease accounts for 3% of certificated
sickness absence in the UK
At Work

3. Work most effected

4. 4 main types:
• Irritant dermatitis
• Allergic dermatitis
• Contact urticaria, folliculitis and acne
• Infective - from bacteria, fungi or
viruses
Types of work related
skin disease

6. • Drying hands properly after washing is key
• Drying the wrong way can undermine the benefits of washing
• It is easier to transmit bacteria from wet hands than dry
hands
• Putting wet hands into work gloves increases the likelihood of
skin problems
Drying your Hands Too

7. If hands
dirty –
• With soap and WARM water
• With soap and cold water
• Rinsing with water alone
• Wiping hands with moistened
wipes
• Using hand rubs or gels
Choice of hand washing
in order of preference

8. Only use if hands have no evidence of dirt
Use at least 3ml per hand
The use of hand gels

9. Pre-work creams
Provides a semi-resistant barrier between chemicals
and the skin,
Not the same as protective gloves and are not PPE
Allows the use of less powerful cleansers
Pre-work creams are useful where gloves are
considered not to be necessary
Do not use the term Barrier Cream – it’s misleading

10. Skin cleansers
Remove contaminants from the skin
Use the least powerful cleanser that will do the job
After-work creams (moisturisers)
Restore the moisture content of the skin and help reduce
the risk of irritant dermatitis
Use at the end of each shift or after washing the hands, or
more frequently if advised by a doctor or a nurse

12. Selecting Personal Protective Gloves and Clothing
A complex process. The performance of chemical protective gloves and clothing
critically depends on the type of
material, thickness, size, length, the extent of chemical permeation, penetration and
degradation.
How To Select
Always involve the workforce and seek expert help from the manufacturer/supplier
of the chemical or the gloves/clothing or a health and safety professional.
Do not use gloves or protective clothing for more than a day unless the
manufacturer can guarantee extended use.
Never launder gloves or single-use protective clothing, unless the manufacturer can
guarantee the post-laundered performance

13. Look after Your Hands
• Report problems to your employer
• Look after your gloves and overalls - keep them clean inside and
out
• You always need your hands

14. Looking after your Hands
at Work
For more information about health and work – pop over to
www.workingwellsolutions.com and sign up for my monthly
newsletter