JSP 375 Vol 2 

MoD Health & Safety Handbook 

10.4 

Automation of the work procedures. 

10.5 

Local exhaust ventilation systems. 

10.6 

Education concerning hazard and risk. 

10.7 Personal 

hygiene 

10.8 Good 

housekeeping 

10.9 

Personal protective equipment (PPE) 

10.9.1 Protective 

clothing. 

10.9.2 Gloves. 

10.9.3 Aprons/overalls. 

10.10 Health 

surveillance. 

11  Elimination of the use of hazardous substances, or the substitution of a hazardous substance with 

a less hazardous alternative should be the control measures of choice. Engineering controls e.g. 

automation or enclosure of the process may be effective in many circumstances. However, these 

methods are not always practicable, in which case worker related controls must be relied upon. Because 

these controls rely on implementation by the employee, carefully considered education and supervision 

are essential. 

EDUCATION 

12  Education should include information about the hazards and risks, with access to risk assessments 

including COSHH.  Instruction and training relating to the safe and healthy conduct of work processes 

and procedures for dealing with incidents such as spills and accidental contamination of skin and 

clothing must be given.  It should include instruction on avoiding contamination, good housekeeping, 

local hygiene rules and personal hygiene. Workers must be provided with clear instructions on how to 

report defects and deficiencies in control measures or PPE and on the symptoms and signs of skin 

damage for which they should be alert. Workers must be instructed to report these to line management 

and to the local occupational health service (OHS) without delay. It should be stressed that consulting 

their own GP about a potential occupational skin condition 

without

 informing management or OHS may 

result in oversight of a deficiency at work with consequent delay in remedy and more cases arising 

amongst colleagues. Self treating with over the counter medication should be avoided as it may obscure 

the total picture and could even aggravate the underlying condition. 

13  Personal hygiene may seem exclusively the worker's responsibility. However, without the proper 

facilities and cleaning agents, workers may rely on solvents and other harsh cleaners to clean up, which 

may damage the skin. The skin cleaner used should be the mildest form that works to remove any 

contamination. Soap and water may be sufficient, but where there is heavier soiling stronger cleansers 

may be necessary. There is widespread agreement that the use of a moisturising lotion after cleansing 

is very important. All cleansers remove fat and oil and other important skin materials. Replacing these 

with a properly formulated lotion will not only enhance the skin immediately, but also help the skin to 

repair itself. Line managers should choose the most appropriate cleanser and moisturising lotion after 

discussion with a suitably qualified occupational health professional. 

14  Where work with substances that may cause occupational dermatitis is carried out in locations 

remote from normal hygiene facilities, e.g. construction sites, special consideration needs to be given to 

the need for appropriate washing facilities and for cleaning and storage of work clothes and PPE. If 

possible hot water should be provided, but, as a minimum, clean, cold water and soap should be 

available for washing. 

Leaflet 5 Annex E 

Page 4 

 April 

2003