Health & safety update

Skin exposure to chemical agents
The Health & Safety Executive has produced new guidance for employers and the self-employed on how to control skin exposure to chemical agents in the workplace. It provides:

• An explanation of how temporary or permanent health effects can be caused by skin exposure to chemical agents
• Examples of chemical agents known to cause either temporary or permanent health effects after skin exposure
• Practical advice on assessing and managing risk of skin exposure to chemical agents.

Suitable and sufficient assessments of the health risks from skin exposure to chemical agents at work are required under the Health and Safety at Work Etc Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999. This leaflet provides guidance for employers on their legal duties.

Copies are available from HSE Books, tel: 01787 881165, priced £8

Chemical protective glove
The HSE has also produced new guidance for employers on the cost and effectiveness of chemical protective gloves. The UK spends about £30 million a year on chemical protective gloves, available in a variety of materials, for a range of prices. Chemical protective gloves are classed as personal protective equipment.

Copies are available from HSE Books, tel: 01787 881165, priced £8.50

Skin care products for the workplace
The HSE has published guidance for employers and health and safety specialists on providing skin care products for workers. Occupational dermatitis is a common condition affecting staff in all industry sectors, including agriculture, catering, chemical, cleaning, construction, engineering, hairdressing, healthcare and printing.

Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999, employers must ensure that exposing staff to substances hazardous to health by absorption through the skin or contact with the skin is prevented. Where this is not reasonably practicable, it must be adequately controlled. Preventing or controlling exposure must always be considered before using skin care products. The leaflet describes which skin care products are available and discusses how effective they are.

Copies are available from HSE Books, tel: 01787 881165, priced £3

Health and safety guidance for food and drink
A revised food information sheet is available from the HSE entitled An index of health and safety guidance for the food and drink industries. The index details the main guidance appropriate to the food and drink industries, and is categorised under headings covering the significant risks faced by the industry, namely:

• Transport
• Falls from a height
• Slips and trips
• Work equipment
• Occupational health – manual handling and WRULD; dust, fumes and COSHH; dermatitis and chilled environments
• Fire and explosion.

There are also details of publications on the management of health and safety, training, and there is a miscellaneous section.