A campaign to protect the skin of hairdressers is being launched by Huntingdonshire District Council Environmental Health Officers during December when they will be working closely with their Health and Safety Executive colleagues. Dermatitis is a potentially debilitating skin disease. The incidence amongst hairdressers is almost 20 times the national average for all workplaces because safety regulations are being ignored.

Up to 100 businesses will be visited to ensure that they are protecting the health of their staff by taking action against the risks of dermatitis.
Dermatitis can be contracted through ‘wet working’ and by handling chemical laden products such as peroxide or shampoo. It causes hairdressers’ skin to swell, redden, blister, flake or itch. The prevention of the disease can be achieved by the simple act of wearing protective gloves when washing customers’ hair and this helps to avoid a painful and unsightly skin disorder caused by constant exposure to water and chemicals.

Dr Susan Lammin, Head of Environmental & Community Health Services said, “It is very important to encourage good health and safety practices at work for hairdressers. Education is key as it’s important that hairdressers know how to protect themselves, what to look out for and what to do if they develop a skin problem.”

The visits coincide with a major campaign launched earlier this year by the British Safety Industry Federation and the Health and Safety Executive. The ‘It’s In Your Hands’ campaign is aimed at educating employers and workers towards better skin care in the workplace in order to prevent work-related dermatitis.