Your employer or person in charge of the catering establishment is responsible for ensuring the health and safety of everyone on the premises. This includes employees, contractors, customers and visitors.
Download the PDF document on this page called Catering - gas safety and Catering round the clock safely for a explanation of employers responsibilities under UK health and safety laws. Our guidance highlights some of the hazards that may exist on catering premises and shows you ways to manage the potential risks. This is not an exhaustive list and the hazards will vary depending on the individual premises.
For more information about health and safety at work, specifically in the catering industry please contact us using the details on this page.
Occupational dermatitis
Occupational Dermatitis (OD) is one of the most widespread causes of ill-health in many industry sectors and an estimated 84,000 people across all industries have OD caused or made worse by their work. Around 10% of those work in the food and catering industries.
The cost of OD is estimated to be around £20 million per year in lost working days.
Who is at risk?
- chefs and cooks
- kitchen and catering assistants
- counter hands
- waiters and waitresses
- bar staff and cleaners
Across the food manufacturing industry bakers, confectioners, meat, poultry and fish handlers; fruit and vegetable handlers are all at risk.
Causes of occupational dermatitis (OD) in the food industry
- Contact with water, soap and detergents causes 55% of cases
- Contact with food substances such as sugar, flour/dough, citrus fruits and their peel, other fruits, vegetables, spices/herbs/seasoning, fish and seafood, meat and poultry, 40%
- Contact with nickel (from coins), rubber (including gloves), chemicals and cleaners, 5%.
What to do?
- Prevention is easier than cure
- Is there a problem?
- do workers come into contact with dermatitis causing agents?
- is there sickness absence due to skin problems?
- investigate complaints from employees
- consult safety representatives and employees
- Decide what to do
- what is the cause of any problem and how many are affected?
- can the cause be removed or substituted?
- can contact be prevented e.g. by using gloves? (although some people are sensitive to rubber and latex gloves)
- would after work moisturising cream help?
- would other control measures be required? e.g. job rotation
- implement the control measures.
- Monitor the situation and consider simple health surveillance by a responsible person to enquire about symptoms of dermatitis.
- Training and information – explain to employees the causes of contact dermatitis, how to minimise the risks using the control measures identified, how to recognise early symptoms and the importance of reporting symptoms immediately.
The Law
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) requires employers to assess whether dermatitis is a risk. If it is – do something about it!
Occupational Dermatitis is also a reportable occupational disease under RIDDOR, if confirmed by a doctor.
Further help and information about occupational dermatitis
Single free copies of preventing dermatitis at work, advice for employers and employees (INDG233L) can be obtained from the Health and safety executive on 01787 881165. It can also be downloaded from their website