head head head

As a catering worker, what are the risks?

The food and catering industry accounts for 10% of all cases of occupational dermatitis. Public services union Unison says that the catering sector has been identified as a high risk sector because it has twice the number of sufferers than the average for industry as a whole. Particular at-risk jobs are cooks and chefs, kitchen and catering assistants.

In food preparation and catering, it is usually the hands and forearms that are most affected. How quickly the condition develops can depend on the strength or potency of the substance, how long and how often it touches the skin. Sometimes it can be caused by a combination of things, for example, frequently using detergents in hot water.

The main causes of occupational dermatitis for catering and food industry workers are:

  • Water, soaps and detergents.
  • Chemicals and cleaners.
  • Foods, including sugar, flour, citrus fruits and their peel.
  • Fish and seafoods.
  • Spices, herbs and seasonings.
  • Meat and poultry.

Unison advises: “The good thing is that work-related contact dermatitis is easy to prevent and taking simple precautions should not cost a lot. You just have to think APC":

  • Avoid direct contact with cleaning products, water and food where this is possible and sensible – for instance, use a dishwasher rather than washing up by hand, use tools such as tongs to handle food rather than hands. You may already be doing this, as these are also good food safety techniques and practice.
  • Protect the skin. Avoiding contact will not always be possible so wear gloves where you can and particularly when cleaning, this will protect the skin. Information on what type of gloves to wear will be supplied with the cleaning products. (Note latex gloves and masks can cause occupational dermatitis.) Where you wear gloves for handling food – remember your food safety training. Also protect the skin by moisturising as often as possible – this replaces the natural oils in the skin, which help keep the skins protective barrier working properly.
  •  Check hands regularly for the first signs of dermatitis – itchy, dry or red skin. When dermatitis is caught early, it can be treated, which can stop it from getting too bad.