Health and Safety Executive

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Dermatitis

What is dermatitis?

Contact dermatitis is inflammation of the skin that can arise from contact with a range of materials. The main signs and symptoms are dryness, redness, itching, swelling, flaking, cracking and blistering, and it can be very painful. Work-related dermatitis is caused or made worse by work.

What substances cause dermatitis?

In the construction industry, the substances that cause most skin health problems are:

Who is affected?

All construction workers, but in particular bricklayers, roofers, road builders and painters, who have frequent contact with harmful substances.

What are my legal duties?

Ensure that workers' health is protected by identifying hazards, assessing risks, avoiding exposure and, where this is not possible, managing risk as required by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002.

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Updated 2012-11-06