Advice On Dermatitis Compensation Claims

Work-related skin diseases can affect people in a wide range of occupations. They can happen in most workplaces although they happen more in certain high-risk jobs such as:

• Dentistry
• Catering
• Hairdressing
• Health services
• Printing
• Metal machining
• Motor vehicle repair

Dermatitis is by far the most common problem. Someone who has dermatitis may experience symptoms of itching and pain. The signs and symptoms of this condition can be so bad that the sufferer is unable to carry on at work.

Substances that may irritate the skin and can cause an allergic reaction can be:-

• Chemical, e.g. some hair dyes
• Biological, e.g. soaps, shampoos and detergents
• Mechanical, e.g. oils and greases
• Physical, e.g. repeated and prolonged contact with water

The law requires employers to adequately control exposure to materials in the workplace that can cause ill health. This includes controlling exposure to materials that cause skin diseases.

Employers need to comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH). Under those Regulations, an employer must not carry out any work which can expose employees to substances hazardous to health unless the employer has carried out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment of the health risks created by that work.

The risk assessment must consider whether it is reasonably practicable to prevent skin exposure. If prevention is not reasonably practicable, the employer must identify how to ensure adequate control of skin exposure and reduce the risk to a level that is as low as reasonably practicable, such as providing personal protective equipment, adequate washing facilities and ensuring that appropriate safety signs are provided.