some HANDy advice for future Construction workers
What is dermatitis?
Work-related dermatitis is a skin condition caused by things that people touch at work. The hands are the most commonly affected.
Dermatitis affecting construction workers:
Irritant contact dermatitis
...caused by things that dry out and damage the skin. These include solvents and thinners, dust and dirt and strong hand soaps.
Allergic contact dermatitis
...occurs when someone becomes allergic to something they touch at work. Allergic contact dermatitis shows up hours or days after contact. Common causes are cement, epoxy resins and glues.
Prevent skin problems at work
- Avoid using solvents such as thinners or strong hand cleaners with sand in them to remove oil and grease.
- Using a moisturiser or barrier cream before work makes cleaning hands easier at the end of the day.
- Apply moisturising cream. Do this at the end of work and before bed. Sorbolene cream is best.
- Wear the right gloves for the job - ask your boss.
- To help stop sweating in gloves, wear cotton gloves underneath.
Case study
Tim - Construction worker
Tim was 17 years old and had been working as a bricklayer for 1 year. Tim found that his hands became very dry and rough after mixing cement. Soon he noticed they were itchy and weeping.
He spoke to his boss, who ordered some strong gloves for bricklaying. he began wearing the gloves, which helped a bit.
Tim finally decided to go to the doctor.
After special testing it was found that Tim was allergic to cement.
Unfortunately, Tim's hands took a long time to heal. He could not avoid the cement at work, so he had to give up work as a bricklayer
Points to learn from Tim's case
- Tim's boss should have given him the right sort of gloves as soon as he started working, instead of waiting until he had a skin problem.
- Tim should have used moisturiser after work. His hands may not have become so dry and cracked. Then he may not have become allergic to the cement.
- He should have spoken to his boss as soon as he had problems with his hands.
