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SKIN PROTECTION SYSTEMS
Skin diseases in the workplace
Skin diseases are still at the forefront of reported workplace illnesses. Skin diseases often take a long time to heal. Absences, frequently linked to a change of workplace or retraining, incur costs, being linked to insurance taken out by companies. Not least there is a person's physical suffering and directly linked to skin disease, is the psychological damage to take into account. Reason enough to consistently integrate into daily practice, skin protection at work, careful and expedient cleaning and skin care after work. Only the right combination prevents occupational illness. Per day, one absence costs around as much as 4 years of skin protection! The manifestations of skin disease are diverse. 90% of all occupational skin diseases are eczema. There are three distinguishable types of eczema:
Toxic contact eczema:
arises from direct, prolonged skin contact with the harmful substance, e.g. skin burns from acid or alkali.
Degenerative toxic contact eczema:
attrition dermatitis arises from the long-term effects – often over many years – of a skin-damaging substance in a certain concentration, that by itself does not immediately manifest itself as a skin disease.
Allergic contact eczema:
The skin reacts with an allergy to a particular substance, eg. epoxy resin, chrome or nickel, to which it has become sensitised over time. The employee should seek medical advice at the first signs of skin disease – redness or itching for example.
WHAT DOES SYSTEMATIC SKIN PROTECTION MEAN?
Only systematic skin protection, i.e. a coordinated concept of
• preventative skin protection,
• adapted and gentle skin cleansing and
• regenerating care
is capable of lowering the number of workplace skin diseases and it is therefore based on the efforts of all concerned. This concept is not only for large organisations to improve further, but also for small workplaces to include and implement. The following measures for systematic skin protection for all employees costs less than the sum of the direct and indirect costs of skin disease.
THE SKIN – GROWTH AND FUNCTIONS
In an adult the skin surface is approx. 2 m², weighs 1/6 of total body weight and has a thickness of 1–4 mm. The skin is the boundary between the body and the environment. From this is derived the important function of protecting penetration by foreign substances and operational stress. The skin senses extensive physiological functions, such as temperature regulation, regulating water retention, immuno-activities, protection from UV rays, Vitamin D synthesis. In addition it is where there are sensory cells that detect pressure, temperature and pain.
The skin's outer layer, the epidermis, is in a process of constant renewal. Newly formed skin cells grow to the exterior, age, callus, and are rejected. Thanks to these so-called calluses the skin forms an important protection against mechanical actions. The space between the calloused cells is surrounded by a mixture of different different fats (lipids). A coat of similar fats, water and other substances is formed by the external surface of film on the skin - the so-called hydro-lipid layer, or anti-acid mantle. It shows a pH value of 5–6, whereby the growth of certain micro-organisms is impaired. The components of the hydro-lipid layer are also continuously reproducing. Calluses and the hydro-lipid layer not only form a fundamental barrier against chemical, microbial and mechanical actions, but are also an essential brake on the body's water loss. Thus they make an essential contribution to the maintenance and function of cells and tissue. The skin is then an extremely lively and important organ and maintaining its comprehensive features makes it absolutely necessary to prevent its damage and disease.
How is the skin damaged?
Whatever is applied to the exterior of the human body will touch the skin first, so it is particularly subject to external influences. Physical actions such as heat, cold or friction can damage the skin. Working in a damp environment affects the anti-acid mantle; oily or fatty fluids wear down the fat protection layer and chemicals can lead to irritation, inflammation or destruction of the skin. Fungi, bacteria and viruses can cause various skin diseases. In addition, mistakes are often made when dealing with the skin, for example: Tasks whereby
• hands are more than two hours per day in a damp atmosphere,
• water-tight gloves should be worn for more than two hours a day,
• hands should be frequently, rather intensively, cleaned,
• with contact from skin-damaging substances, eg. alkalis and strong acid solutions, detergents, disinfectants, organic solvents
• physical skin stimulants, e.g. cold, heat, dirt, metal chips, mineral fibres
What makes good preventative skin protection?
Skin protection preparations form an ideal layer, that
• is physiologically completely neutral,
• does not impair the work process, neither directly nor indirectly
• contact between the hazardous substance and the skin is completely avoided
The latter is the scenario, if the hazardous substance and the skin preparation do not react with each other and even if the pollutant does not penetrate the skin preparation. Water-soluble skin preparations (grease-free gel with solids, low-fat o/w emulsion) are then used, where the skin is exposed to mainly fat-soluble substances, (oils, greases, solvents, etc.). Here also cleaning residue from the skin with strong, professional materials is greatly facilitated. Water-insoluble preparations (w/o emulsions). In contrast, when dealing with water-soluble substances such as water alcohol, disinfectants etc., it is not uncommon to observe, a change in the action of the fat-soluble and water-soluble substances. This is a compromise, the application of barrier creams with a dualistic action.
