| Save Your Skin | Chemical & Skin Protection |
Did you know skin disease is the most common job-related illness? The skin is the largest organ of the body, and healthy skin forms a protective barrier that keeps out physical, chemical, and biological hazards.
Workplace skin irritations are often overlooked and not taken seriously. However, when skin is repeatedly damaged through chemical exposure on the job, skin diseases can develop. To help avoid chemical exposure of the skin:
- Before using a chemical, ensure you are knowledgeable about the chemical and its hazards.
- Eliminate chemical irritants when possible, or replace them with safer alternatives.
- Reduce skin contact with chemicals through implementation of administrative and engineering controls.
- Use the proper Personal Protective Equipment to prevent skin contact.
Keep your work area, clothes, and body clean. Longer exposure to chemicals often
results in more damage. - Damaged skin allows chemicals to penetrate to deeper layers of the skin and to
enter your body. Ensure you get medical treatment for skin irritations and
cracking. - The skin can quickly absorb hazardous substances. If the skin is exposed to
chemicals, rinse the area with water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical
attention.
There are many factors in determining the amount of risk a worker may be in when working with hazardous chemicals. Whenever using hazardous chemicals on the job, workers should become knowledgeable about the chemical’s toxicity, routes of entry, signs and symptoms of exposure, interactions, and how individual differences such as allergies or smoking can increase the risks even further.
