Occupational dermatitis is one of the most common work-related diseases in the UK. It mainly affects the hands and forearms and can range from dry, cracked skin to painful, weeping eczema that makes ordinary tasks difficult. Once a worker becomes allergic to a substance, the sensitivity is usually permanent.
What is contact dermatitis?
There are two main types. Irritant contact dermatitis develops when repeated exposure to things like water, soaps, detergents, solvents or cutting fluids wears down the skin's natural barrier. Allergic contact dermatitis is an immune reaction to a specific substance, such as natural rubber latex, epoxy resins, chromate in wet cement, nickel or chemicals in hair dyes. The distinction matters because an allergy may stop you working with that substance again.
Which jobs carry the highest risk?
Healthcare (frequent hand washing, gloves and antiseptics), hairdressing and beauty (wet work, bleach, dyes), cleaning (detergents and disinfectants), catering (wet work and food handling), construction (cement and resins), and engineering and metalworking (oils and cutting fluids).
What must my employer do?
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) require employers to assess the risk to workers' skin and then to prevent or adequately control exposure. In practice that means substituting less harmful products where possible, reducing wet work, providing suitable gloves of the right material and size, providing washing facilities and moisturising creams, training staff to recognise early symptoms, and carrying out regular skin checks (health surveillance) where there is a known risk of dermatitis.
How do I prove my dermatitis was caused by work?
A dermatologist's report is usually key. Patch testing can identify a specific allergen, and the pattern of symptoms often helps: dermatitis that improves on holidays and worsens back at work points strongly to a work cause. Evidence of what you handled, how often, and what protection you were given is also important.
What is the time limit?
Dermatitis develops gradually, so the three-year time limit usually runs from the date you knew the condition was significant and was caused by your work, often around the time of a firm diagnosis. Do not wait: delay makes it harder to prove what happened.
What compensation can I claim?
General damages for the pain, discomfort and effect of the skin condition on daily life, plus financial losses. If sensitisation means you cannot return to your trade, for example as a hairdresser or nurse, you can claim lost earnings and the cost of retraining. See future loss of earnings claims and industrial disease claims.
Sources
Browse every plain-English guide in the work accident guides hub, or read the main guide to how a claim works.
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Every claim turns on its own facts. For advice about your specific situation, speak to a regulated solicitor.