Health Surveillance for Skin Checks
Enquire NowAt Health Surveillance, we provide workplace monitoring for skin checks to protect employees from occupational dermatitis and other work-related skin conditions.
Many industries expose staff to hazardous substances such as oils, cement, solvents, detergents, and cleaning agents, all of which can damage the skin.
Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002), employers must implement health surveillance if there is a risk of dermatitis or allergic reactions.
Our programmes ensure early detection, accurate record keeping, and compliance with HSE guidance.
Request a free quote for health surveillance for skin checks today.
Why Is Health Surveillance for Skin Checks Important?
Work-related dermatitis is one of the most common occupational illnesses in the UK.
Symptoms can begin with redness or itching but may progress into painful rashes, cracks, or blisters that make it difficult to continue working.
Health surveillance detects these early signs before conditions become chronic. For employers, it demonstrates a proactive duty of care and compliance with COSHH regulations.
What Does Health Surveillance for Skin Checks Involve?
Surveillance begins with a baseline skin assessment before an employee starts hazardous work.
Ongoing checks may include questionnaires, visual inspections of exposed skin areas, and discussions about symptoms such as itching or dryness.
If abnormalities are found, workers are referred to an occupational health nurse or physician for further investigation.
Advice on correct glove use, barrier creams, and hygiene practices is also provided.
How Often Should Skin Checks Be Conducted?
The frequency depends on the risks identified in the COSHH assessment.
In high-risk industries such as healthcare, catering, cleaning, and construction, skin checks are often carried out every 6 to 12 months.
For very high-risk roles, checks may be required more frequently. A baseline assessment should always be carried out before exposure begins.
What Are the Benefits of Health Surveillance for Skin Checks?
The main benefit is that it protects employees from chronic skin conditions while keeping employers compliant with the law.
Key benefits:
Identifies early signs of dermatitis before they worsen.
Ensures compliance with COSHH requirements.
Reduces sickness absence and associated costs.
Reassures employees working with hazardous substances.
Demonstrates employer commitment to health and safety.
What Symptoms Are Monitored During Skin Surveillance?
Surveillance monitors for redness, rashes, cracks, itching, dryness, and blisters, particularly on hands and forearms.
Employees may also be asked about burning sensations, increased sensitivity, or whether symptoms worsen during work.
Even mild indicators are taken seriously to prevent long-term damage.
Is Health Surveillance for Skin Checks a Legal Requirement?
Under COSHH, employers must provide health surveillance where employees are at risk of dermatitis from workplace exposures.
Our requirement applies to a wide range of industries, from food handling and cleaning to construction and healthcare.
Employers must also retain records for at least 40 years due to the potential long-term effects of occupational skin disease.
What Is the Cost of Health Surveillance for Skin Checks?
Technician-led skin inspections and questionnaires usually cost from £50 to £80 per employee.
More detailed assessments with occupational health referrals may range from £100 to £150+ per employee.
The cost varies depending on the number of employees and the type of checks required.
Larger organisations often reduce per-person costs through tailored surveillance packages.
What Happens If Dermatitis Is Found?
If a worker shows symptoms of dermatitis, they will be referred for medical assessment and treatment.
Employers may need to provide new PPE, review workplace practices, or temporarily reassign tasks to reduce exposure.
Taking action quickly prevents conditions from worsening and keeps businesses compliant with HSE requirements.
How Are Records Managed for Skin Surveillance?
Records must be stored securely and retained for at least 40 years.
They include baseline assessments, inspection notes, referrals, and fitness-for-work certificates.
While employee details remain confidential, records must be available for HSE inspection if required.
Accurate record keeping ensures compliance and long-term protection for both staff and employers.
Which Industries Need Health Surveillance for Skin Checks Most?
Industries such as healthcare, cleaning, catering, construction, hairdressing, and manufacturing are particularly high risk.
Workers in these sectors regularly handle chemicals, detergents, oils, or wet materials that can damage the skin.
Employers operating in these industries are strongly advised, and in many cases legally required, to provide health surveillance for skin checks.
Can Health Surveillance Prevent Long-Term Dermatitis?
While surveillance itself cannot stop exposure, it allows for early detection of problems before they become chronic.
When skin changes are identified early, interventions such as PPE improvements, better hygiene practices, or medical treatment can be introduced.
Regular skin assessments prevent long-term skin conditions that could otherwise force employees to leave work or claim compensation.
How Does Surveillance for Skin Checks Support Compliance?
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) requires employers to act where workplace risks could cause dermatitis or other skin problems.
Surveillance provides documented proof that monitoring is in place, records are maintained, and medical advice is followed.
Our health surveillance company ensure legal compliance and protects employers from enforcement action.
Are Skin Surveillance Records Confidential?
All records from health surveillance are confidential and stored securely under GDPR.
Employees are given their own results directly, while employers receive only fitness-to-work certificates or workplace adjustment recommendations.
We encourage employees to take part in surveillance without concerns about privacy.
What Additional Controls Should Employers Provide Alongside Skin Surveillance?
Employers should provide gloves, barrier creams, and good washing facilities, ensure safe handling of chemicals, and substitute harmful substances where possible.
Training employees in skincare and safe practices further reduces risks. Combined with regular surveillance, these steps create a strong protective system.
Surveillance must work hand in hand with preventative measures.
Request a Free Quote for Skin Assessments
At Health Surveillance for Skin Checks , we deliver professional and compliant services that protect workers from occupational dermatitis while supporting employers with their legal obligations.
Our surveillance programmes ensure early detection, reduce risks, and provide peace of mind for employees and businesses alike.
Contact Health Surveillance for Skin Checks today to arrange a tailored workplace health monitoring programme.
Other Services We Offer
At Health Surveillance, we offer a wide range of services; some of these include:
Health Surveillance for Asbestos
Health Surveillance for Bakery Workers
Health Surveillance for Benzene
Health Surveillance for Radiation Workers
Health Surveillance for Silica Exposure
Health Surveillance for Formaldehyde
Health Surveillance for COSHH
Health Surveillance for Dermatitis
Health Surveillance for Mental Health