Maidenhead & Windsor

A drive to trim the number of Maidenhead hairdressers suffering from dermatitis – an occupational skin disease – is to be launched by the Royal Borough's environmental health team, in partnership with the Health and Safety Executive, in December.

Hairdressers as a group are more likely than any other workers to develop skin damage such as dermatitis due to the nature of the chemicals they work with and because of having wet hands for long periods. It is estimated about three-quarters of hairdressers have some form of skin damage.

Carolyn Flintoff, Maidenhead food and safety officer, said: "Many hairdressers believe dermatitis is an inevitable part of the job and they can't prevent it. But this does not have to be the case, as we intend to make clear during the campaign."

Throughout December Royal Borough environmental health officers will visit local salons, offering advice and information. Campaign packs containing a sample of gloves, moisturisers and a checklist for salon owners will be distributed.

Officers will advise salon owners, managers and their staff on how to avoid irritants coming into contact with the skin. Suggestions include wearing gloves, implementing a good skincare regime by using barrier cream and moisturisers, ensuring hands are dried properly and checking for early signs of dermatitis.

Further information is available at www.hse.gov.uk/hairdressing/index.htm or by contacting the environmental health team on 01628 683820.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead