Wave goodbye to Bad Hand Days - 01/12/06
The Vale of Glamorgan Council is combing local hair salons as
part of a campaign aimed at highlighting work-related
dermatitis.
“Keep your hands healthy and wave goodbye to Bad Hand Days” is
the message to salon owners from officers of the Council’s
Environmental Health Division.
Research has shown that hairdressers are 17 times more likely to
contract dermatitis (sometimes called eczema) than employees in
other work sectors. The debilitating skin condition has been shown
to be on the increase and the causes are known to be wet work such
as shampooing, and the use of perm solutions, bleaching agents and
other chemicals.
The officers are handing out information packs containing
samples of moisturiser and single use gloves. Advice is also being
given to salon owners and employees about causes, prevention and
early detection of dermatitis.
The wearing of vinyl or nitrile single use gloves is being
promoted by officers as a good way of avoiding the problems of
dermatitis.
Also being recommended is frequent use – not just at the end of
a day's work – of moisturiser and barrier cream.
The message is: "Let's cut out dermatitis – it’s simple. Use
disposable gloves, dry hands thoroughly and moisturise to keep
hands healthy."
Anyone requiring further information on dermatitis at work
should contact Environmental Health (commercial section) on (01446)
709105 or, alternatively, visit www.hse.gov.uk/hairdressing/index.htm