Safety Flash
HSE: Allergic reaction at work
HSE: Allergic reaction at work
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 20/21
- Hazardous SubstancesOccupational HealthPersonal Protective Equipment
- Hazardous substancesOccupational health
- Inspection and maintenance
- Personal protective equipment
- Risk assessment
Summary
An employee developed permanent allergic contact dermatitis after being splashed with metalworking fluid while cleaning a grinding machine. The flash reports inadequate exposure risk assessment and skin-contact controls despite a known history of dermatitis, highlighting the HSE inspector’s emphasis on suitable protective equipment, particularly gloves.
Classifications: Hazardous substances; hazardous chemicals; chemical exposure.
Classifications: Occupational health; worker health.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Personal protective equipment; PPE; personal protection equipment.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Summary
The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have fined a company over £100,000 after an employee developed an allergic form of dermatitis after coming into contact with metalworking fluids. See here for press release.
IMCA SF 20/21. Themes: hazardous substances, occupational health, personal protective equipment.