Industry News
14
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. 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]
SEP/OCT 2019
locksmithjournal.co.uk
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» » 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 1 . 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
Battling
occupational skin
disorders this winter