Clearview National December 2019 - Issue 217 | Page 66
INSTALLERSUPPORT
BATTLING OCCUPATIONAL
SKIN DISORDERS THIS WINTER
As the winter months are drawing nearer, days
get shorter and temperatures drop, and for those
who work outdoors, summer can start to feel
like a distant memory. As many installers will know,
working with common workplace contaminants
such as dirt, oil and grease can seriously affect the
skin – and in winter, this can be compounded.
» MANY ON THE JOB RESORT TO
disposable gloves to protect the hands, but
these come with their own problems. The cold
and wet weather we experience during the
winter months only increases the risks to skin
and hands.
There are many important tools for the job,
but most installers know that the hands are
crucial – so looking after them is key. Good
skin care is a vital part of health and safety, and
proper handwashing is one of the best ways to
prevent occupational skin disorders (OSDs).
OSDs affect a huge number of people who
work with their hands and more awareness
needs to be raised around the issue in the
trades. In fact, around 40% of workers will
be affected at some point in their career . Dry,
cracked and sore skin may be a common sight
for installers, but it isn’t something to suffer
through – it can lead to seriously unpleasant,
long-term skin disorders such as eczema or
dermatitis.
One of the reasons OSDs are particularly
prevalent among installers is the frequent
contact with contaminants. Contact with the
hands either via surfaces or tools can soon
take its toll, and if the hands are damp or wet
for prolonged periods of time, without use of
proper skin care products, you run the risk of
developing an OSD.
OSDs are particularly prevalent during
the winter months – at this time of year, cold
weather can be especially harsh on the hands.
A porous organ, the skin loses water vapour
constantly via evaporation into the surrounding
environment. When the air is cooler and the
humidity drops, moisture in the skin tends to
evaporate more quickly, leaving it drier – even
more so if it is windy, and you are exposed to
the elements on the job! Coupled with the use
of car or van heaters during the winter months,
your hands can be left in poor condition.
66 » DEC 2019 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M
Although necessary for keeping you warm
on the move, heaters can actually end up
accelerating the skin’s moisture loss.
Whilst handwashing is key for healthy skin,
most workers are also tempted to warm up
with hot water when it gets chillier. This can
also dehydrate skin, as the heat can strip it of
protective oils – potentially exacerbating a skin
disorder.
Good skin care in winter is therefore essential.
When protecting skin on the hands, the skin
care experts at Swarfega recommend a three-step
approach; protection, cleansing and restoring:
• Before work, apply a good protection
cream – helps make the skin easier to
clean and helps to strengthen the upper
layer of the skin, this also means that a
gentler hand cleaner can be used after a
shift. This in turn, is kinder on the skin
in cold weather.
• Before grabbing the nearest hand cleaner
to the sink, consider what kind of soiling
you’re tackling. You may be using a
cleaner that is too weak or strong – both
of which can land your skin in poor
condition. Aim for the mildest cleaner
that will still do the job, as this will help
avoid loss of the skin’s natural oils.
• Clean hands regularly throughout the
day and apply a restoring moisturiser
at the end of a shift – perhaps the most
important step in winter. A restoration
cream effectively hydrates stressed skin
and replenishes any lost moisture.
A combined approach with all three steps is
the best way to protect the skin against harsh
winter weather, particularly for those who
work outdoors or on the move.
To find out more about Swarfega’s
skincare products, contact Swarfega at
[email protected]