Health and Safety ReportVolume 4, Issue 1 - January 2006

The skin is amazingly resilient - a strong protector. When assaulted from the outside by irritants, or from the inside by disease, skin raises a red danger flag in the form of a rash. The rash could be irritation, a virus, a bacterial infection or an allergy - it could even be caused by something related to your job.

Occupational skin disease (OSD) is not uncommon, accounting for up to a quarter of all reported occupational diseases. OSD can be long-lasting, in other words, a chronic condition. It can affect workers in a variety of occupations like metalworkers, bakers, cabinetmakers, automobile and agricultural workers, artists, and 'wet' workers like dishwashers, cleaners, cooks, nurses, and other hospital workers.

Of all the occupational skin diseases, contact dermatitis is by far the most common. Symptoms can include redness, swelling, itching, scaling and blistering of the skin. The condition can be painful. And one thing is for sure, the eczema-like rash will linger and worsen unless the source is discovered and removed.

Contact dermatitis comes in two forms: irritant and allergic.

Irritant contact dermatitis is the most common and occurs when the skin is exposed to a wide variety of chemicals - everything from water and detergents to dilute solutions of chemicals that are moderate to severe irritants or corrosives. Some chemicals may not irritate the skin following short-term contact, but repeated or prolonged contact can result in contact dermatitis. The severity of the reaction depends on the kind of chemicals contained in the product used, the concentration of chemical, and the length and frequency of the exposure.

Allergic contact dermatitis is a different type of reaction although both irritant and allergic contact dermatitis can occur together.

Allergenic chemicals or "skin sensitizers" are capable of causing an allergic response in a relatively large number of people following repeated exposure. This means that some people can actually work with a skin sensitizer and never have an allergic reaction. Other people will develop an allergic reaction, but, at first, there may be no symptoms of exposure - no warning signs of what is to come. In a matter of days, though, the skin becomes irritated, swollen, itchy and blistering.

Workplace allergens can be very difficult to identify, because

• some people develop a reaction and others do not;
  
• the allergic response can take days or weeks to show up;
  
• some allergens also cause irritation - further confusing the picture.

Allergic contact dermatitis is usually diagnosed with a patch test.

When exposure to the allergen stops, the rash normally clears up. However, sensitivity to the allergen continues indefinitely. In general, the more often someone is exposed to an allergen, the more sensitized they become - which means they react to smaller and smaller amounts of the chemical - reacting more quickly and severely each time.

Managing the problem

Workers have the legal right to know which irritating, corrosive or sensitizing materials they are working with and how to handle them safely. Chemicals that cause skin irritation OR skin sensitization are classified by the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System as Toxic (D2B). Chemicals that are corrosive to the skin are classified as "Corrosive (E)". Information on these health effects and appropriate precautionary information should be found on the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the product. If you require any additional information contact the manufacturer.

Prevention is the smartest way of minimizing contact dermatitis. Minimizing skin contact with irritants is recommended. This can be done by changing the process or with the use of personal protective equipment, usually gloves and aprons. Appropriate personal protective equipment is helpful in creating a barrier to irritants, but it must be chosen carefully, used properly and maintained in good condition. When dealing with the more serious corrosives or skin sensitizers more stringent controls like engineering controls should be considered if a safer substitute cannot be found. Qualified staff should design and install engineering controls like enclosures equipped with local exhaust ventilation systems to remove toxic products so workers have no direct contact with the allergenic or corrosive agents.

Occupational health experts estimate that allergic and irritant contact dermatitis are on the rise in the workplace, largely due to the introduction of new chemicals and chemical mixtures, latex allergies and, with newfound concern over infectious disease control, increased hand washing with anti-microbial cleansers. What's more, underreporting of skin problems is common - suggesting that the problem is much worse than what it appears to be. All the more reason a strong information program is fundamental in educating both managers and workers to save their skins.

More information on contact dermatitis:


CCOHS OSH Answers

NIOSH

What's heavier: a ton of bricks, or a ton of snowflakes?

Lifting a heavy load can cause strain on the body. This simple fact is true whether the load consists of rocks, or of fluffy snowflakes that have clumped together into a heavy carpet of soft, slushy or frozen snow. Shovelling snow is a physically demanding task that results in the injury of many Canadians every year.

Ask yourself: Should I be shovelling? If you are unaccustomed to shovelling, or if you're not in good physical shape, shovelling snow can be a strain on the heart and back. Older, overweight people, or those with a history of back or heart problems should avoid the task altogether and delegate it to someone else, or use a snow-blower to clear the snow.

Allow plenty of time. Often the need for shovelling snow arises unexpectedly and in our effort to get it over with as fast as possible, we may tackle the task hurriedly and not prepare properly. Rushing the task of shovelling snow can cause cold exposure, fatigue, muscular strains and more serious injury, particularly to the lower back.

If you are physically fit enough to shovel snow, take the time to do it properly. Do warm-up stretches and flexing exercises before you begin to loosen up the muscles and prepare them for the job ahead. Take that extra few minutes to dress properly, in several layers of warm, lightweight clothing; the inner layer should be a fishnet or thermal fabric that wicks perspiration away from your skin. Cover your head, especially your ears. Wear water-resistant boots that are high-cut and have good traction. Wear light, flexible gloves with a good grip. In very cold weather, wear something over your mouth. Do not shovel at all if the temperature drops below -40 C, or below -25 to -30C when it is windy.

Use the right shovel. To shovel snow, use a snow shovel - not any other kind. It should be light-weight, with a plastic or wood grip. The blade should be of a manageable size. If the blade is too large, your load will be too heavy. As for the handle, it should be long enough so that you won't have to stoop to shovel. Use this general guideline: When the blade is placed on the ground, the shovel's total length (blade plus handle) should be approximately to elbow height when arms are at your side.

Don't overdo it. When you shovel, push rather than lift the snow. If you must throw it, take only as much snow as you can easily lift and turn your feet to the direction you're throwing. Do not twist at the waist. Remember that the wetter the snow, the heavier it is.

Shovelling will make you sweat, so if you stop you could get a chill. Stay mobile, and shovel at a steady pace. The trick is to shovel efficiently without becoming fatigued. A good recommended rate for continuous shovelling is usually considered to be around 15 scoops per minute. In the more extreme conditions, such as very cold and windy weather, 15 minutes of shovelling should be followed by 15 minutes of rest.

Happy New Year, and happy shovelling!

For further reading on the ergonomics of shovelling snow, visit OSH Answers at: www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/snow_shovelling.html

Driving in today's vehicles, equipped with every convenience from temperature control to cup holders and stereo systems, can be considered a luxury. The introduction of cell phones in recent years adds yet another element of convenience - as well as distraction - to driving.

Driver distraction is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents in Canada. In an effort to address the ongoing problem of unsafe driving, Nova Scotia Environment and Labour has issued a hazard alert to remind drivers that cell phone use can be a dangerous distraction to drivers. Although the province has no specific penalties related to cell phone use while driving, a collision or an incidence of bad driving caused by the use of a phone can result in charges under a number of laws, including those related to dangerous driving, careless driving, and criminal negligence causing death or injury. Currently Newfoundland is the only province in Canada to have banned the use of hand-held cell phones while driving.

Should an employer be concerned?

The potential for injury to employees or bystanders, and property damage to company or other vehicles should be a concern for employers. In the United States, companies themselves have been involved in court cases involving motor vehicle accidents related to cell phone usage because the employer allowed or encouraged employees to conduct business from the car. Some employers have established no cell phone usage policies while driving for company business to reduce the risk of accidents.

Potentially life-saving tips

For anyone who uses a cell phone, Nova Scotia Environment and Labour offers these suggestions:

• Above all, the basics of safe driving are more important than ever: Keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. Drive defensively. Be prepared for other motorists or poor driving conditions.
  
  
• If you must use the phone, pull over and stop before placing the call. If you have passengers, ask them to handle the phone while you drive. When receiving a call, let voice mail pick it up, and call back at a safer time.
  
  
• Avoid stressful, emotional or important conversations. Do not write or take notes while driving and talking on the phone. Do not make gestures while talking and driving.
  
  
• If you must use the phone while driving, remember that the conversation, in itself, will be a distraction. Keep the phone within easy reach. Know the location of the buttons or, better; yet, use a voice activation program or hands-free option. Pre-program commonly used numbers. Trying to find components, putting on a headset or changing settings while driving is risky.

Don't multi-multi-task!

Using a cell phone and driving are both activities that require visual, auditory, biomechanical and cognitive skills. This means that while we drive and our eyes are looking for the "send" button or scanning names in our phone's address book, they should instead be watching the road, using mirrors, shoulder-checking, and watching the speedometer and other gauges.

While our ears are busy taking in a conversation on the cell phone, they should be listening for the sounds of the vehicle, the squealing of brakes, or emergency sirens.
While our hands are fumbling with the phone's buttons or headset, they should be busy enough steering the vehicle and activating signals and headlights, while our feet operate the accelerator, clutch and brakes. And while our minds are on the phone conversation, they should be alert for the various tasks that driving demands - anticipating future movements of other drivers, assessing traffic and weather, and preparing to avoid hazards.

Ultimately, a driver's first responsibility must be the safe operation of the vehicle.

Read the Hazard Alert from Nova Scotia Environment and Labour

OSH Answers on the topic

Read about the University of Alberta students' Coalition for Cell Phone-Free Driving

Do you need advice on how to develop a workplace health strategy for your organization? Are you concerned about your job demands, your teenager's mood swings or your spouse's cardiac health? A new web resource addresses the importance of these and many other concerns that can affect your general wellness, how you perform at work, as well as the overall health of your organization.

Bringing Health to Work (Advancing Healthy Workplaces*) is a web portal offered as a public service from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS). Accessible through the CCOHS website, the portal offers one-stop access to more than 300 of the most authoritative and reliable sources of workplace health and wellness information on the web. It is a virtual clearinghouse of links to programs and tools, case studies, policies, publications, resources and more.

A person's general health and well being is directly related to their "workplace health." How workers feel affects their job satisfaction, morale and productivity, as well as the organization's profitability, employee retention and recruitment, and the number of physical injuries sustained by employees. When people feel valued, respected and satisfied in their jobs and work in safe, healthy environments, they are more likely to be more productive and committed to their work. Everyone can benefit from a healthy workplace.

"The impact of healthy workplaces is far reaching," says Dr. P.K. Abeytunga, Vice President and Director General of CCOHS. "They contribute to the productivity, competitiveness and wealth of our economy and impact the quality of working life, affecting families, communities and the whole of our society. We believe that this website will help inspire and enable people to participate in making their workplaces healthy so that all may thrive and benefit."

The portal's information is organized by topics, which include aging, childcare, job satisfaction, job design, employee assistance programs (EAPs), stress, smoking cessation, and much more. Web users can also browse according to their role (employee, employer or practitioner) or by resource type (websites, online discussions, or published references).

Whether you want to link directly to a government booklet on office ergonomics, buy literature on workplace violence, or read the Human Rights Commission's guidelines on workplace anti-harassment policies, you will want to bookmark this portal as a handy reference for all matters relating to workplace health and well-being.

*Update Note: In 2010 Bringing Health to Work was renamed .

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) is one of a number of Canadian and Brazilian organizations participating in a project to enhance occupational health and safety in Brazilian industry. The main Brazilian partner, SESI (Serviço Social da Industria) provides occupational health and safety and other services to client companies, and is participating in the project through its national and regional offices.

The purpose of the project, which will take an estimated four and a half years to complete, is to help small and medium-sized enterprises integrate workplace health and safety into their organizational culture, performance goals and management systems, and to reduce the number of employee illnesses, injuries and fatalities in Brazilian industry.

"Brazil is a country that is growing fast, so there are a lot of new types of work, new technologies being introduced," says Dr. P.K. Abeytunga, Vice-President and Director General of CCOHS. "This relates to the changing environment in the workplace. There is also a lot of concern about the whole issue about equity - gender equity, racial equity, and people's welfare and well-being. The right information in the hands of the people - workers, managers, supervisors, employers - about the problems in their particular workplace and how best to deal with them and prevent them, is key to improving the situation," he says.

The project's three main objectives are to:

• develop a SESI-managed Epidemiological (OHS) Information System;
  
• develop a SESI web portal providing occupational health and safety information to small and medium enterprises;
  
• enhance OHS practices within those enterprises; and to improve their capacity to implement OHS management systems.

CCOHS is leading the development and deployment of the information web portal.

In June and July 2005, CCOHS participated in workshops in six Brazilian states to assess the occupational health and safety needs of small and medium enterprises. In October 2005, twelve occupational health and safety and information specialists from SESI spent three weeks at CCOHS, learning about information evaluation and management, content management systems and web delivery of information. By the end of the three weeks, CCOHS and SESI staff had built a prototype web portal on CCOHS' network, developed policies and procedures for its ongoing development, maintenance and promotion, and mapped out the options for the portal's migration to Brazil.

"The component of the project that creates a web portal, using knowledge available from various reputable, reliable institutions across the worlds, creates easy-to-use, easy-to-access, easy-to-understand information for Brazilian industry," says Abeytunga. "This will also promote equity, that is, give people empowerment. Knowledge is empowering."

For further information, visit www.ohsbrazil.ca