Your employer has a legal duty to ensure your health and safety whilst at work. If they fail in that duty and you suffer personal injury, they may be liable to pay damages for pain & suffering and any losses you have incurred. An important aspect of health and safety in the workplace relates to skin care and occupational skin disease. Exposure to certain workplace environments and irritants may cause occupational skin disease which can range from mild dermatitis to life-threatening disease such as skin cancer. All workers in high risk employment should monitor their skin carefully and seek medical and legal advice if there is any indication of occupational skin disease.
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Occupational Dermatitis
Workers who handle irritant chemicals are at risk of occupational skin disease including contact dermatitis causing itchiness and inflammation in localised areas. This condition may also affect those working with raw materials, coke, metals or chemicals in laboratories. Dermatitis is a particular problem for those exposured to fibre glass particles particularly in the shipbuilding and insulation industries. Construction workers face a number of risks to the health of their skin including abrasion, friction and pressure which may cause keloids or psoriasis if exposure is sustained over time. Because much building work occurs outdoors, construction workers (and many other outdoor workers) face the threat of severe sunburn, keratosis, melanoma and rosacia. In some cases skin cancer may develop as a result of exposure to intense levels of direct sunlight which is clearly a worst case scenario, heightened by the fact that the cancer may spread to other organs of the body.
SOLICITORS HELPLINE 0844 764 1354
Heat & Cold
Those who are exposed to extremes of heat or cold may also suffer from occupational skin disease. Heat induces rashes including ‘prickly heat’ which though simply an annoyance to most people can cause a sufferer to become impaired if the rash becomes widespread or infected. Extremes of cold can cause cracks to the skin and subsequent discomfort and in the worst cases, frostbite has been evident among sailors, fisherman and outdoors workers. Constant immersion in either hot or cold water found mainly in the food industries can also cause occupational skin disease.
SOLICITORS HELPLINE 0844 764 1354
High Risk Occupations
Some workers face severe risk, not only to the general condition of their skin but also to overall health if an employer is negligent and fails to take care of their safety. Insufficiently trained or equipped workers who deal with electricity may suffer from severe skin damage including burns and necrosis if they are electrocuted. Workers in the nuclear power industry or in relevant medical fields who are accidentally exposed to ionising radiation may suffer from skin cancer or radiation dermatitis.
SOLICITORS HELPLINE 0844 764 1354
Free Legal Advice
Our solicitors operate nationwide and deal with compensation claims for occupational skin disease using the no win no fee scheme. Compensation is paid in full with no deductions and there is no need to finance your claim. If the case is lost you still pay nothing. If after talking to us you decide not to take matters further then you are under no obligation to do so and you will not be charged for our advice.
