FIS17 - Occupational dermatitis in the catering and food industries
Source: www.hse.gov.uk
Topic: Dermatitis
Download: Click here!
Sort Desciption: Occupational dermatitis is one of the most widespread causes of ill health and affects people working in many industry sectors, including food processing and especially catering. ...
Content Inside:
Occupational dermatitis is one of the most widespread causes of ill health and affects people working in many industry sectors, including food processing and especially catering. Nationally, across all industries, an estimated 84 000 people have dermatitis caused or made worse by their work. This results in 132 000 lost working days each year and costs employers some 20 million. Nearly 3000 cases of contact dermatitis are reported by occupational physicians and dermatologists each year. Many additional cases are seen by other medical professionals. The food and catering industries account for about 10% of all occupational dermatitis: it is one of the main occupational health risks. Occupations at risk Workers of all ages in the catering industry represent a high risk group with regard to occupational dermatitis. Those most at risk are: chefs; cooks; kitchen and catering assistants; counter hands. Others at risk include: waiters and waitresses; bar staff; cleaners. In food manufacture those at risk include: bakers; confectioners; meat, poultry and fish handlers; fruit and vegetable handlers. What is occupational dermatitis? Occupational dermatitis is caused by the skin coming into contact with substances at work. Because of this it is sometimes called occupational contact dermatitis. Symptoms of the condition can be redness, itching, scaling and blistering of the skin. In food preparation and catering it is usually the hands and forearms which are affected. If the condition gets worse, the skin can crack and bleed. It can be extremely painful bad enough to keep people off work and serious enough to force them to change jobs. How quickly you get it depends on the substance, its strength or potency and how long and how often it touches the skin. Sometimes it can be caused by a combination of things for instance, using detergents at work means you are likely to have hands in water a lot of ...
no comment
Submit a comment:
Related PDF Files:


