• Occupational is dermatitis caused by contact with certain substances at work. However you can also get dermatitis from many things that you are exposed to outside of work.
• Damage occurs when a substance penetrates the surface layer of the skin & causes a reaction.
• It is different to what is known as Atopic Dermatitis. This is a condition which is often associated with a personal or family history of asthma, eczema and other conditions. 

• The BBC is required to prevent its staff from being exposed to substances that cause dermatitis. If it is not reasonably practicable to prevent exposure to these substances then they need to take action to control that exposure.
• In the BBC your manager needs to do a COSHH risk assessment of your area to decide if there is a risk of occupational dermatitis.
• If your manager identifies a risk from their COSHH risk assessment, they must take action to prevent or control the risks to you.
• This may include your manager starting a skin health surveillance programme.
• Your manager must provide and ensure that you have the appropriate information, instruction and training.
• The BBC has a legal duty, where relevant under the RIDDOR Regulations, to report cases of occupational dermatitis to the appropriate enforcing authority.

• Speak to your manager.
• Check the general risk assessments for your area.
• Check that a COSHH risk assessment has been completed for your area, where appropriate, these identify the risks to you from your work.
• Check that your manager has reviewed their COSHH risk assessment whenever a new substance is introduced into your workplace.

• Your risk of developing occupational dermatitiscan be removed or reduced. Your manager has a legal duty to carry out a risk assessment and act on the findings.
• You need to check that risk assessments have been completed for your work to find out if there is a risk; and if any risks have been identified, what to do to prevent yourself developing occupational dermatitis.
• Your manager must ensure that you have the appropriate information, instruction and training about occupational dermatitis and how to prevent it.  Therefore you need to ask your manager if you have not already received this.

• Complete a COSHH risk assessment to identify if there is a risk of occupational dermatitis and implement any control measures considered necessary.
• Provide the appropriate information, instruction and training to staff who may be at risk.
• Report all cases of occupational dermatitis to the appropriate enforcing authority.
• Contact occupational health for further advice.

How do I know if I have occupational dermatitis?

• Check if you have any of the signs and symptoms. 
• If you do then tell your manager and ask to be referred to occupational health.

• Check if you are using any of the substances known to cause occupational dermatitis. 
• Checking the supplier's data sheet for any substances you use at work, will give you information about the substance.

How do I find out more information about occupational dermatitis?

• Check the occupational dermatitis information.
• See also details on the HSE website.
• BBC HR Direct.  
• BBC Safety Advice Line.