Stopping skin disease

HSC press release - C011:04 - 8 March 2004

The Health and Safety Commission is inviting firms to comment on a proposed ban on
high-chromium cement, a known cause of allergic dermatitis - a painful, disfiguring and sometimes disabling skin disease. Once skin is sensitised, the condition can become irreversible and force people to give up their jobs.

The ban would protect builders, bricklayers, tilers and anyone who uses cement, concrete, mortar, grout and tile adhesive. It implements a European Community Directive and would come into force in January 2005.

The ban would make illegal the supply and use of cement with more than two parts per million of chromium VI. At present, most cement used in the UK contains more than this level of chromium VI and therefore presents an unnecessary risk to workers' health. It can be made safe through the addition of a reducing agent.

Bill Macdonald, Head of Policy on Skin Disease at the Health and Safety Executive, said:

"This ban would be an important step in our campaign against skin disease. Dermatitis is a very nasty affliction which can inflict huge discomfort on sufferers. Many people have been forced to give up their jobs, and are often left with painful and damaged hands for life. In a typical year between 200 and 400 new cases of allergic contact come to light. We are now giving firms the chance to tell us how they think we should bring this ban in."

Notes to editors

1. The ban will be implemented through an amendment to the COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) and CHIP (Chemical Hazards Information and Packaging) regulations 2002.

2. Where the chromium VI content has been brought down to safe levels, manufacturers will be required to mark on the packaging the 'use by' date of the reducing agent.

3. The amendments will not apply where there is no risk of skin contact.

4. Guidance on the safe use of cement is available on HSE Construction Information Sheet No 26 at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis26.pdf

5. The Consultative Document for these amendments is available at http://www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd195.htm

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