Practical skin checks for employees exposed to substances or working conditions that may affect their skin. We’ll help you arrange a programme that fits your risks, sites and working patterns.
Regular skin checks can help identify early signs of work-related dermatitis and other skin problems. That gives employees an opportunity to get advice and helps employers review whether their exposure controls are working.
Skin surveillance works alongside your COSHH assessments, safe systems of work, substitution of hazardous substances, protective equipment and skincare arrangements. It does not replace the need to control exposure at source.
Health surveillance is appropriate where there is a residual risk after appropriate controls are in place, the agent or process is linked to a recognisable health effect, there is a reasonable likelihood of harm under the conditions of work, and valid methods exist to identify early signs.
When is surveillance appropriate?
Health surveillance may be appropriate where there is a remaining risk after suitable controls are in place, the work agent or process is associated with an identifiable skin condition, there is a reasonable likelihood of harm and valid methods exist for detecting early signs.
Skin surveillance may be appropriate where your risk assessment identifies an ongoing risk of work-related skin disease, even after controls are in place.
This may include employees who work with:
Cleaning chemicals, detergents, solvents, oils, greases or metalworking fluids.
Cement, resins, adhesives, dyes, paints or other skin sensitisers.
Food ingredients, enzymes, biological agents or laboratory substances.
Frequent hand washing, prolonged glove use or regular “wet work.”
Irritant or sensitising substances identified on product safety data sheets.
Frequent or prolonged contact with water, particularly alongside soaps and detergents, can contribute to irritant dermatitis. HSE identifies wet work, chemicals and physical or biological agents as important dermatitis risks, and notes that surveillance may include baseline assessments, regular inspection and employee questionnaires.
A skin surveillance programme is tailored to the nature and level of risk. It may include:
Baseline assessment: Recording relevant skin history and current skin condition before, or as soon as possible after, an employee starts an at-risk role.
Regular employee checks: Questionnaires and appropriate visual checks of exposed skin, often hands and forearms, to identify early signs of irritation, dermatitis or sensitisation.
Employee education: Clear information about likely exposures, symptoms to look for, effective glove use, hand hygiene and how to report concerns between scheduled checks.
Focused clinical review: Further assessment where symptoms, concerns or more significant findings are identified.
Advice, referral or workplace recommendations: Practical advice on controls, work practices, protective equipment, skincare and referral where clinically appropriate.
HSE guidance notes that higher-level programmes may involve baseline assessment, regular visual skin checks, worker education and periodic questionnaires, with frequency determined by the level and nature of risk.
Following skin surveillance, Clarity provides:
Clear employee outcomes and appropriate recommendations.
Advice on protective equipment, glove selection, hand hygiene, skincare and work practices where relevant.
Recommendations for reviewing COSHH assessments, exposure controls or safe systems of work.
Further clinical review, investigation or referral where appropriate.
Management reporting and trend information to support ongoing review of skin-health risk.
Employee medical information remains confidential. Managers receive the outcome information and workplace recommendations needed to take appropriate action, rather than full clinical records.
Early identification can help prevent symptoms from progressing, reduce avoidable absence and give your organisation clearer evidence that skin risks are being monitored and managed responsibly.
Whether you’re setting up a programme or reviewing an existing one, tell us about the work your employees do and the substances or conditions they encounter. We’ll help you work out a practical next step.
We will take the time to understand your workplace risks, substances, employee roles, sites and operational needs, then help you develop a programme that is practical, proportionate and straightforward to manage.
Skin surveillance is a planned occupational health process for employees exposed to irritants, sensitisers, wet work or other conditions that can damage skin. It is designed to identify early signs of work-related skin disease, including dermatitis, eczema and chemical irritation.
Skin surveillance may be appropriate when a risk assessment identifies residual exposure to a substance or work process known to cause an identifiable skin condition, where there is a reasonable likelihood of harm and valid methods exist to identify early signs.
This commonly includes exposure to irritants, sensitising agents and frequent or prolonged wet work.
Employees who regularly work with chemicals, cleaning products, solvents, oils, greases, metalworking fluids, cement, resins, food ingredients or frequent wet work may need skin surveillance. This can include workers in manufacturing, food production, construction, cleaning, healthcare, engineering, laboratories and facilities management.
The assessment may include a questionnaire about symptoms and exposure, a review of relevant skin areas, discussion of protective equipment and work practices, and practical advice on reducing risk. Where concerns are identified, a more detailed clinical review, workplace recommendations or referral may be appropriate.
The right frequency depends on the nature and level of risk. Programmes commonly include a baseline assessment before or soon after exposure begins, then regular checks and periodic questionnaires. In higher-risk situations, HSE notes that brief routine checks may be appropriate more frequently, while the exact schedule should be determined by the risk assessment and occupational health advice.
If early changes are identified, an occupational health professional will consider the appropriate next steps. This may include reviewing exposure, strengthening controls, improving glove or PPE arrangements, adjusting washing or skincare practices, arranging further clinical assessment, or referral where needed.
Clarity provides skin surveillance nationwide through on-site clinics, mobile medical units and local clinic appointments. We will help you choose an approach that works around your sites, shift patterns and workforce availability.
Yes. Skin-surveillance information is handled under clinical-governance and data-protection arrangements. Employees’ medical information remains confidential, while managers receive appropriate workplace-action information and recommendations rather than full medical records.
Tell us a little about your workforce and what you need help with. We’ll call you back to talk through your options and the most practical way to deliver them.
Tell us your workforce size, locations and main risks. We’ll recommend a practical delivery model and respond within one working day.
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