YH/485/06. GNN140395P. 13 November 2006

Jo Hansford backs HSE's 'bad hand day'

Celebrity hair colourist Jo Hansford has pledged her support to the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) Bad Hand Day campaign aimed at cutting out dermatitis amongst hairdressers.

Popularly known as 'the best tinter on the planet' Jo Hansford's clientele includes celebrities such as Elizabeth Hurley, Angelina Jolie and the Duchess of Cornwall.

Having suffered herself from dermatitis in her early career, Jo is passionate about the Bad Hand Day campaign; "I am delighted to join HSE in tackling this industry-wide problem. Hairdressers suffering from dermatitis are often in a good deal of discomfort and pain, ashamed of their skin condition and in extreme cases have no choice but to leave the profession altogether.

"To those who think dermatitis is a part of the job all I can say is, this is a myth. Through the Bad Hand Day campaign we will equip hairdressers with the information needed to make dermatitis a thing of the past, say NO to dermatitis and take simple steps to avoid it."

Work related dermatitis can be caused by exposure to products like shampoo or hair-dye and even by prolonged wet-work. More than 50% of the 130,000 hairdressers in Great Britain will suffer from this unpleasant inflammatory skin condition at some point in their careers. Dermatitis leaves suffers with hands that are dry, red, flaky, itchy, swollen and blistering making normal activities very difficult. Simply wearing disposable non-latex gloves for shampooing, colouring and wet work can help prevent and control dermatitis.

Welcomed by the industry, HSE's Bad Hand Day campaign is set to reach out to every salon in England, Scotland and Wales in partnership with LACoRS, HABIA and the National Hairdressing Federation (NHF). Local authorities will visit salon managers, hairdressers and apprentices across a wide range of salons from large chains to the little shop on the high street to give help and advice on how to combat this debilitating condition.

Notes to editors

1. More than 50% of hairdressers in the UK are likely to suffer from work related dermatitis at some point in their lives.
2. It is reported that around 70% of hairdressers will suffer from work related skin damage at some point in their careers.
3. For more information on dermatitis and the Bad Hand Day campaign please visit www.hse.gov.uk/skin/index.htm
4. The Health and Safety Executive is responsible for enforcing workplace health and safety in Great Britain. More information on the HSE and campaigns can be found at: www.hse.gov.uk

Public enquiries

HSE's InfoLine: 0845 3450055
Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG

HSE information and news releases can be accessed on the Internet www.hse.gov.uk/