Safety: More Than Skin Deep
Safety Visions. Spring 1998 Published for Members of NFIB/Ohio

Skin disorders affect workers in nearly every industry. But the steps to protect the skin are usually limited to either wearing special equipment or simply washing off chemicals that touch it. In a beauty salon, for example, most of the safety training for the workers involves protecting customers. But many times it is the worker who faces the greatest risk.

"I have seen several people who have had to leave the field because of skin reactions to permanent wave solution," said Jack Johnson, an inspector in the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing. Even giving people a haircut can pose problems for stylists because scissors contain the most common allergen in the workplace: nickel. "Once a person has been sensitized to nickel, it takes very little exposure to set off an allergic reaction," said Boeniger.

Most occupational skin disorders originate from contact dermatitis. Irritant contact dermatitis involves exposure to substances that cause tissue destruction or inflammation through repeated exposure. Even relatively mild substances can cause irritation if they are accompanied by extreme humidity or temperature, sweating or blocked pores. Common irritants include cleaning solvents and detergents; organic solvent such as alcohol, acetone and mineral spirits; oils such as mineral oil; alkalis such as caustic soda, lime and cement; and acids, such as hydrochloric and sulfuric.

Take the lead in establishing procedures for workers to clean up after handling hazardous substances. Additionally, make certain the personal protective equipment you choose is appropriate and is not letting hazardous substances slip through onto the skin.

Protecting the Protective Layer
The skin is vulnerable to more health hazards on the job than any other organ. Yet there is no Occupational Safety and health Administration (OSHA) standard to protect it.

The skin serves as personal protective equipment for the rest of the body, providing a barrier against heat and cold. It is also the first line of defense against hazardous substances and it is capable to remarkable healing. But the list of occupational hazards it may be subjected to is long. It includes cuts, scrapes, burns, dermatitis, cancer, acne, infections, blisters and sunburn on the job.

"Skin disorders are the number two cause of occupational illness," said mark Boeniger, a research industrial hygienist at the national Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). "They (skin disorders) represent a significant cost of time and money to the country, especially employers."

While many skin disorders start small, they can develop pinto something much worse if the correct precautions or treatments are not followed.

Bio-Safe™ Skin Protectant Forms an Invisible Polymer Glove
On The Skin
Dermal Absorption: (as it relates to the beauty industry) The movement of substances through the skin into your internal systems and organs. Working with perms, hair color, bleaches, relaxers and texturizers or nail products such as monomers, thinners and removers can be dermally absorbed into the body through the skin.

Contact Dermatitis: (as it relates to the beauty industry) The red, cracked, sore or swollen hands which result from the skin's sensitivity to external irritants. Chronic contact dermatitis, frequently results in time off work. At times it requires a beauty professional to change careers. This work loss or relocation can increase (cost) a companies worker compensation insurance premiums.

Cross Contamination: (as it relates to the beauty industry) Direct or indirect transfer of viruses and bacteria between one person and another or one surface to another. Recent outbreaks od E.Coli and Salmonella concern those of us who are vulnerable to illness associated with close, daily, public contact with other people (how do I prevent colds and flu bugs?). Cross contamination is the leading source of work place illness - a growing concern for the beauty professional. The revenues that are generated in the salon today are based on a customers service cycle. Keeping work well (from possible illness) will help insure an uninterrupted revenue flow. Reducing work absenteeism will insure customers are able to return to the salon for their scheduled visits. The annual Commerce Clearing House Absence Survey suggest, for example, a firm with 105 employees loses about $52,000 a year through absences and tardiness.

"40% to 50% of all infection entering the body passes between the finger nail and the cuticle." - Center for Disease Control