Safety Vault Information Service This information is furnished with the understanding that AMG, LLC is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional services. Changes in the law may render this information invalid. Legal advice or other expert assistance should be obtained before acting upon any Safety Vault information.

SKIN SAFETY

Here’s some good information you should pass along to your employees. As part of this information, you should remind them to wear appropriate personal protective equipment to further ensure their safety on the job.

Did you know that:

• You have approximately 2,880 square inches of body skin to protect your body?

• It consists of two layers -- the epidermis (or top layer) and the dermis (or underlying surface) with nerve endings and sweat glands?

• Your skin repels most germs, wind, cold, and heat?

• Hazardous substances can enter through pores or even penetrate the skin?

Types of skin hazards on the job include:

• Mechanical -- cuts, bruises and other wounds that can lead to infection

• Physical -- heat and cold

• Biological -- bacteria, fungus insects or viruses

• Chemical

To keep your skin healthy, you need to:

• Know what can harm your skin and how to protect yourself from these hazards.

• Keep your body and work clothes clean.

• Wash promptly and thoroughly with soap and water after working with skin hazards.

• Avoid using chemical solvents to clean skin.

• Wash and treat cuts and abrasions with antiseptic and then bandage them.

• Keep your work area and changing areas clean.

• Use proper protective clothing and equipment to create an effective barrier between hazards and your skin.

If you have had a skin condition, you could be prone to other skin problems on the job. Prevent problems by telling your supervisor about your pre-existing conditions. This can help ensure that you can safely perform the job you are assigned to do.