While gloves can be very effective at stopping contaminants from coming into contact with the skin, they do not prevent occupational skin disorders (OSDs) from developing whilst being worn. Workers can often remove the protective gloves at the end of the day, only to find their hands in less than perfect condition. Swarfega explains…
How common are OSDs?
Dermatitis is thought to affect one in 10 workers, according to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, which can make routine manual tasks a challenge. Red, irritated and dry hands are often considered just ‘part of the job,’ but OSDs can cause severe, visible consequences for business and individuals. The estimated costs of OSDs in the EU is in excess of £500m per year, with around three million lost working days each year.
Sore, cracked fingers and hands, along with other symptoms of painful disorders, can restrict hand mobility and the ability to carry out everyday workplace activities, gripping tools or operating machinery, for instance. Simple tasks around the home, such as making a cup of tea, opening jars, and even turning taps can become an impossible or stressful challenge, putting strain on social and family relationships.
How do gloves cause problems?
Gloves are a great barrier and often seen as the way to prevent skin damage, but when worn for long periods of time, this barrier can also be the cause of some serious skin complaints. When not wearing gloves, moisture passes through the skin and into the environment, and in doing so, it helps to regulate the temperature of the body. When wearing disposable gloves, this moisture is trapped against the skin and can cause it to soften and become wrinkled, like when skin is soaked in water for a period of time. This can weaken the skin and, if this happens regularly, can cause issues.
Gloves can also trap bacteria against the skin in a warm, moist environment that is often ideal for their growth. If there are any small cuts present on the skin under the gloves, these cuts can quickly become painfully infected and can impact on the person’s ability to work safely. An independent study commissioned by Deb Group, owner of Swarfega, found that people who regularly wear gloves in the workplace reported that the following issues were noticeable:
- 74% found perspiration inside the glove
- 51% found gloves uncomfortable
- 47% reported damage to skin/cracked hands
- 44% reported a foul odour
- 40% reported an allergic reaction to gloves
How can you avoid the issues?
Poor skin condition doesn’t have to be part of everyday working life. By taking a proactive approach to skin health and integrating this with the use of disposable gloves, it is possible to mitigate against and prevent OSDs before they become a problem. Here at Swarfega, we’d recommended the following steps when using disposable gloves:
■ Apply protection cream to the skin before putting the gloves on, this will help keep the skin strong under gloves
■ Remove the gloves regularly and allow the skin to dry out
■ Use a suitable hand washing product – if the skin isn’t heavily soiled, do not use a harsh hand wash as this can cause damage to the skin
■ Reapply protection cream before putting a fresh pair of gloves on
■ When finishing a shift and after washing the hands, use an after-work moisturising gel to nourish and condition the skin, improve its strength and prevent it becoming dry or damaged
■ Avoid re-using disposable gloves
