What is occupational dermatitis?

Occupational dermatitis - also known as eczema - is the generic term used to describe skin irritation in the workplace. While dermatitis can be caused simply by constant exposure to sunshine or even water, the most common cause in the workplace is when chemicals or other irritants come into contact with the skin, sometimes leading to urticaria or even skin cancer.

The Health and Safety Executive lists some of the most common agents and irritants linked with occupational dermatitis, which includes:

• Alcohol
• Degreasers
• Cutting oils and coolants
• Disinfectants
• Petroleum products
• Cleaning products
• Chemicals

In many cases, occupational dermatitis or other skin conditions could have been avoided simply by your employer issuing gloves or barrier products. This means that in the majority of such cases, an employer has been negligent.

Where this is the case, you could be entitled to make an occupational dermatitis claim.

What are the symptoms of occupational dermatitis?

The most common symptom of occupational dermatitis is skin becoming dry and irritated. If the substance causing the issue can be identified and subsequently avoided, the skin should start to improve. However, repeated exposure to the irritant will cause the dermatitis to worsen, leading to further symptoms such as:

• Inflammation
• Blistering
• Thickening
• Cracking and broken skin

If you experience these symptoms, it is wise to get a medical diagnosis in order to ensure prompt treatment and to rule out anything more serious. If your symptoms are caused by irritants at work, you should also consider talking to us about a No Win No Fee compensation claim.

Learn more about occupational dermatitis claims

What should my employer be doing to prevent the risk of occupational dermatitis?

The law says that every employer has a duty of care to protect employees from suffering harm in the workplace. Every reasonable step should be taken to ensure you are safe during the course of your employment. Such measures could include:

• The provision of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Ensuring there are adequate facilities to wash your hands and skin if you come into contact with an irritant
• Avoid the use of irritants entirely where possible
• Carry out frequent risk assessments to identify any and all possible irritants or hazardous materials

Where your employer has failed to foresee the harm that could be caused by your occupation, or to ensure that you were prevented from having skin contact with harmful substances, they could be said to have failed in their duty of care.

Talk to a specialist solicitor to find out if your employer failed in their duty of care and read more on the health and safety regulations that govern your safety in the workplace.

How can I prove that my dermatitis was caused at work?

To make a successful occupational dermatitis claim, you’ll need to be able to prove that your dermatitis was caused by a substance you came into contact with during your employment. This means that we’ll need to collect evidence to support your claim, which could include:

• Photographic evidence: this may include photos of your dermatitis, as well as photos of your workplace, any PPE you were given, and the way in which the suspected irritant was stored
• Medical reports: if you have seen a doctor or medical practitioner regarding your dermatitis, we may request access to your medical records to confirm the diagnosis
• Witness statements: statements from your co-workers could help to validate your claim if they are able to describe how you came into contact with the irritant and what your working conditions were like.

This may sound like a lot, but your solicitor can help to ensure you have all the evidence you need to support your claim. Speak to a member of our team today to learn more about making an occupational dermatitis claim.

Speak to a specialist dermatitis compensation solicitor

Dermatitis claims are quite a specialised area of the law, so it makes sense to deal with solicitors who have extensive experience and a track record of successful dermatitis compensation claims.

We employ specialist dermatitis solicitors who understand the impact that a diagnosis of industrial disease can have on victims and their families, and aim to be as considerate and supportive as possible throughout the claims process.

We are immensely proud to have a team of highly acclaimed industrial disease solicitors here at Slater and Gordon. With many decades of experience across the team, many of our solicitors are accredited by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), and are highly ranked in prestigious independent legal guides, Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500.