Work-related skin disease causes real harm. Many people live with pain and discomfort. Some have had to give up work altogether. It also costs millions of pounds in compensation every year.
The good news is that most cases can be prevented. A sensible, positive approach to health and safety protects your people and your business.
It's In Your Hands was launched in 2006 by the HSE, the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF), Safety Groups UK, BOHS, the Institute of Occupational Medicine and the TUC. HSE statistics show work-related dermatitis has been falling since. The campaign guide has now been updated for 2026.
As a BSIF Registered Safety Supplier, we have pulled together its key advice for employers and employees.
Who is most at risk?
If you answer yes to any of these, your workforce may face a higher risk of skin disease.
Do you use chemicals with hazard warnings, such as irritant, corrosive, harmful or toxic?
Do hands touch hazardous substances daily, such as adhesives, paints, inks, solvents, dyes or shampoo?
Do hands touch mineral oils, such as engine oils, lubricants, cutting fluids or greases?
Are hands wet for more than 2 hours a day, or more than 20 times a day? This is known as wet working.
Do workers handle plants, flowers or animal products?
Do they touch other natural substances, such as food, wood dust or latex?
Is there a risk of skin abrasion?
Are workers out in the sun during the day?
Does anyone have a pre-existing skin condition or allergy?
Do people work in the cold, outdoors in winter or in cold storage?
How skin comes into contact with hazards
Chemical agents reach the skin in three main ways:
Direct contact, through splashes and touching
Contaminated surfaces, such as worktops, tools, coveralls and gloves
Airborne substances that settle on the skin
Hands and faces are most exposed, but covered skin is at risk too. Never keep contaminated cloths in pockets. Always wash dirty hands before and after using the toilet.
Work-related dermatitis
Dermatitis accounts for over 70% of work-related skin disease. It is mainly caused by chemical agents and wet work, where hands are wet for long periods during the day.
Other causes include biological agents such as plants and bacteria, physical agents such as vibration and radiation, and mechanical damage such as abrasion. Hands are most at risk, but any part of the body can be affected.
There are two main types:
Allergic contact dermatitis happens when a substance sensitises the skin, triggering an allergic reaction.
Irritant contact dermatitis happens when a substance or repeated wet work damages the skin directly.
How to recognise dermatitis
Look out for:
Redness or swelling of the hands and fingers
Cracked skin
Blisters
Flaking or scaling
Itching with cracks
Has anyone had these symptoms more than once in the last 12 months? Did their skin improve during time off work? If so, work could be the cause.
Only a medical professional can diagnose work-related dermatitis. Trained safety reps and supervisors play a valuable part in spotting it early.
Your legal obligations
Several regulations apply to skin health at work.
Regulation
What it requires
COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)
Identify hazardous substances, assess exposure and health risks, and put controls in place. Until this is done, employees may not work with the substances
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations
Carry out risk assessments and introduce procedures to remove or minimise risks
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations
Provide suitable washing facilities
Employers must also consult employees and their representatives on health and safety, including when skin exposure cannot reasonably be prevented. Employees must co-operate to meet these duties.
What counts as a hazardous substance?
Here, it means any substance, or wet work, that can damage the skin. They fall into four groups:
Those that irritate the skin, causing irritant contact dermatitis
Those that sensitise the skin, causing allergic contact dermatitis
Those that cause other skin diseases, such as skin cancer or loss of skin colour
Those with other effects, such as burns
Some substances pass through the skin and cause illness elsewhere in the body. Very hot, cold, dry or wet working conditions can also cause serious skin problems.
How to recognise hazardous substances
Under CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) rules, suppliers must label hazardous products and give professional users a Safety Data Sheet. Always read the label and the data sheet before using a chemical.
The red diamond pictograms on the bottom row are the current CLP symbols. You may still see the older orange squares on some stock.
Consumer products, such as those used in hairdressing, may not carry warning signs but can still be hazardous. If in doubt, ask your supplier.
Preventing dermatitis in the workplace
There is a legal duty to prevent work-related dermatitis by keeping skin contact with hazardous substances to a minimum. That means a safe system of work: safe handling methods, training, suitable PPE, skin cleansers and creams, and proper washing facilities. Regular skin checks can show whether your controls are working.
Do not:
Put hands in chemicals, or allow prolonged or repeated contact with water
Work in a way that causes chemical splashes
Let skin touch contaminated work pieces, surfaces, tools or clothing
Do:
Know the health risks of every chemical on site, and make sure labels are clear, read and understood
Use tools and methods that keep hands away from hazardous substances
Wear suitable protective gloves where needed
Wash and dry hands regularly, including before putting gloves on and after taking them off
Use pre-work and after-work creams to keep skin in good condition. Pre-work creams do not replace gloves
Get medical advice if there are concerns about skin condition
On average, a reported case of dermatitis costs an employer £6,000 (Diepgen et al, Contact Dermatitis, 2013).
Safe working distance
When hands are used as tools, they often end up in chemicals or water. That leaves no safe working distance (SWD). Tongs, a wire basket or long-handled tools can put space between hands and hazards.
Work through these steps in order.
Avoid skin contact:
Eliminate. Remove the hazardous substance or wet work, for example by using a different process.
Substitute. Use less harmful substances.
Engineer it out. Use automated handling, full enclosure, local exhaust ventilation or tools that increase the SWD.
Change the process. Set good working practices that prevent or minimise hand contact.
Protect the skin. Where the steps above cannot give adequate control, provide suitable PPE and skin care products. Remember that wearing gloves for long periods can also raise the risk of dermatitis.
Check. Regular skin checks catch dermatitis early, before it becomes serious. They also show gaps in your controls.
The three-step skin care routine
Skin care products keep skin healthy so it can do its job as a barrier. HSE COSHH guidance recommends pre-work and after-work creams.
Step
What it does
How to use it
Pre-work cream
Makes hands easier to clean after work and may help protect the skin
Apply before work. Useful where gloves are not needed, but never a substitute for them
Skin cleanser
Removes contaminants from the skin
Use the mildest cleanser that does the job. Never use solvents such as white spirit. Rinse well and dry with disposable paper towels
After-work cream
Restores moisture and natural oils, reducing the risk of irritant dermatitis
Apply at the end of each shift or after washing. Use a non-tainting formula in food areas
Use dispensers rather than tubs to avoid cross contamination, and choose sealed cartridge systems for the best hygiene. Train staff to use each product correctly. The wrong product, or the right one used badly, may not help.
Protective gloves and clothing
"Any gloves will do" is a recipe for dermatitis. By law, gloves must be matched to the substance, the environment, the task and the wearer.
Choose gloves approved to the right EN standard for the job. Most glove manufacturers offer a hand protection assessment, often free of charge. Think about:
Protection against the specific hazard
Sizing and fit
Dexterity, so the task can be done safely
Comfort and how long gloves will be worn
Material and thickness, and how the substance permeates, penetrates or degrades it
No glove gives 100% or unlimited protection.
Good glove practice:
Train staff to put on and remove gloves without contaminating their skin
Provide proper storage and disposal
Always put gloves on clean hands, and wash hands after taking them off
Do not use gloves or clothing for more than a day unless the manufacturer guarantees extended use
Never launder gloves or single-use clothing unless the manufacturer guarantees performance after washing
Keep reusable gloves and clothing clean
When choosing gloves or protective clothing, involve your workforce. Get expert advice from the chemical supplier, the glove or clothing supplier, or a health and safety professional.
Skin cancer at work
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the UK. At work, it has two main causes:
Carcinogens, through prolonged contact with used mineral oils (including engine and some machine oils), coal tars and pitches
UV from the sun, for outdoor workers and drivers
The facts
Around 173,600 new skin cancer cases and around 2,500 deaths each year in the UK (Cancer Research UK, as cited in the guide)
86% of melanoma skin cancer cases are preventable
Construction workers have a skin cancer incidence rate six times higher than the general population
Up to 90% of skin cancer deaths could be prevented if UV exposure is controlled (IOSH)
There are two main groups. Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common. Malignant melanoma is rarer, but the most serious and can kill. It is curable if caught early.
Know the ABCDE of melanoma
Check your whole body once a month. See a doctor straight away about any change or unusual mark that lasts more than a few weeks.
A = Asymmetry. One half of the mole does not match the other.
B = Border. The edges are irregular, ragged or blurred.
C = Colour. The colour is uneven throughout.
D = Diameter. Wider than 6mm, though it could be smaller.
E = Evolving. The mole changes over weeks, months or years.
Also seek advice if a mole becomes itchy, painful, bleeds, crusts or looks inflamed.
Protecting outdoor workers from the sun
HSE guidance treats UV as an occupational hazard for outdoor workers. Sunburn in sunny, shady or even cloudy conditions raises the risk of skin cancer. Those most at risk have very fair skin, a personal or family history of skin cancer, more than 50 moles, or take immunosuppressive drugs.
Include sun exposure in your risk assessment and in routine safety training. The same applies to drivers: most vehicle glass blocks UVB, but not UVA.
Encourage workers to:
Shade. Work in the shade where possible, and remember protection is still needed there.
Cover up. Keep tops on. Wear a broad-brimmed hat that covers the ears and neck, and UV-protective sunglasses.
Protect. Apply SPF 30 or higher to all exposed skin, from Easter to at least the end of August, and on warm September days too. Apply to clean, dry skin 15 to 20 minutes before going out, again once outside, then every 2 to 3 hours. Reapply more often when sweating.
Hydrate. Drink plenty of water.
Check. Look for unusual moles, spots or skin changes, and get medical advice.
Choosing a professional sunscreen
Clothing and hats give the best protection. Sunscreen covers the parts that are hard to cover up, and should protect against both UVA and UVB.
SPF shows protection mainly against UVB. SPF 30 is the recommended minimum for outdoor work, and SPF 50 gives high protection.
The UVA logo in a circle means the UVA protection is at least a third of the labelled SPF.
Mineral oils
Long-term contact with mineral oils can cause ulcers and sore patches that do not heal. These can be an early sign of skin cancer. Hands, face and other directly exposed areas are most at risk, but covered skin can be affected too. For male workers, the scrotum is a particular risk.
Problems often start when oily rags are kept in overall pockets, overalls are not cleaned regularly, or hands are not washed before using the toilet.
Skin care by work sector
Start every sector with a risk assessment. Once it is done, use this guide to what each workplace needs.
Work area
Skin care considerations
Offices
Provide soap and hot and cold running water in washrooms
Industrial manufacturing, including automotive and heavy engineering
Use PPE to limit contact with contaminants, but avoid wearing impervious gloves for long periods. Use pre-work cream, the mildest suitable cleanser and after-work cream. Choose sealed cartridge dispensers or pump packs
Outdoor work, including construction, building trades and mobile workers
Use gloves to limit contact, taking extra care with cement and irritant chemicals, which can cause severe burns. Do not wear impervious gloves continuously. Use pre-work cream, the mildest suitable cleanser, sunscreen on exposed skin, and after-work cream. Where washing facilities are limited, provide waterless cleansers or wipes
Food manufacture and service
Use gloves where needed, but not continuously or for long periods. Keep handwashing to what food hygiene requires. Use a non-tainting, antibacterial cleanser and provide after-work cream
Personal care, including cleaning and hairdressing
Use gloves for washing hair or handling chemicals, but avoid overuse. Provide a mild hand soap in dispensers. Rinse and dry hands thoroughly, and provide after-work cream
It's in your hands
Work-related skin disease causes pain, lost jobs and career changes. It costs industry millions in sickness absence, retraining and compensation, and puts pressure on the NHS. Most of it can be prevented.
GS Workwear supplies chemical-resistant gloves and protective clothing for every sector. As a BSIF Registered Safety Supplier with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditation, we can help you match protection to the task and the wearer.
Further reading
Skin at work (HSE)
Health Risks at Work (Safety Groups UK)
Sun safety for outdoor workers (IOSH)
Skin Cancer Research Fund (SKCIN)
British Safety Industry Federation
Source: BSIF, It's In Your Hands campaign guide, 2026 update. Images courtesy of the campaign guide.
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