Seminar 2007: Prevent Work-related Dermatitis
Prevent Work-Related Dermatitis
It’s In Your Hands©
18 October 2007
The Netherwood Hotel
Grange-over-Sands
Organised by:
South Cumbria Occupational Health & Safety Group
in association with
South Cumbria IOSH District, Manchester & North West Districts' Branch,
The Health and Safety Executive & Safety Groups UK
Speakers:
HSE and HSL Specialists
Exhibitors:
Ansell, Arco, BMPolyco, DEB, Degussa-Stoko, Globus, IOSH Manchester and NW Districts’ Branch, South Cumbria Occupational Health & Safety Group (SCOHSG).
Handouts:
HSE, EUOSHA, Marigold.
(94 present including 5 HSE/HSL speakers)
Martin Fishwick, Chairman, South Cumbria IOSH District and SCOHSG, welcomed speakers, delegates and exhibitors, and outlined domestic and emergency arrangements.
Introduction to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) DERM project
Martin then explained that the DERM project was jointly run by HSE, the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) and Safety Groups UK (SGUK). It is part of the wider Disease Reduction Programme (DRP), within HSE’s FIT3 project, which aims to:
Fit 1 - Reduce Workplace Injuries
Fit 2 - Reduce Workplace Ill Health
Fit 3 - Reduce Workplace Lost Time
The DRP is currently targeting skin and respiratory disease, and cancer from asbestos and chemicals. There were 29,000 cases of contact dermatitis (3,500 per year), and 15 million workers are exposed to risk. Martin explained that dermatitis affects a wide range of industries (including his own organisation).
HSE is targeting known high risk workplaces for dermatitis. Their programme aims to:
Raise awareness of dermatitis pathways - Directors, managers and staff
Provide advice and support
- training, good controls and good practice.
Enforcement - last resort
Martin then handed over to Dr Bob Rajan OBE, of HSE, who is leading the HSE DERM project.
Bob stressed the importance of Dermal Exposure Risk Management, using simple controls. Claims payments of up to £300,000 have been awarded.
What is contact dermatitis?
Diane Llewellyn, HSE Specialist, then gave an introduction to contact dermatitis. She explained that the skin consists of a tissue paper thin epidermis (dead skin) over a thick dermis, with cells, veins, sweat glands and hair follicles. The skin protects against chemical, physical, biological and mechanical insults and water loss, protecting the body and regulating temperature. Skin is normally elastic, but water loss can cause cracks, and excess, cell damage.
Contact dermatitis (or excema) is inflammation of the skin; it may be one of two types:
1. Irritant dermatitis: inflammation of the skin following cell damage, or
2. Allergic dermatitis:
a. Delayed - in which skin penetration leads to histamine release via the lymph nodes
b. Immediate - in which penetration causes sensitisation to subsequent exposures, with histamine release via IgE antibodies (urticaria).
Many chemicals, solvents, cleaners, foods, rubber and water can cause either or both types of dermatitis.
Diane defined wet work as using water for tasks for more than two hours per day, or hand washing more than 20 times per day. If the skin is unprotected on a regular basis such exposures to water can lead to serious skin damage - cracks, blisters, itching, pain, and ultimately to an inability to feed or dress ones-self, job loss, and/or social isolation.
Dermatitis has also resulted in 31,000 days lost to industry per year with an estimated cost of £44 million per year. Diane gave examples of HSE notices served, prosecutions and civil claims across a range of workplaces such as: workers changing chemicals used in photo booths, mechanics, welders, industrial process workers, cleans, caters, and hairdressers etc... Finally, Diane mentioned the risk of systemic diseases.
Managing Work Related Dermatitis – part 1
Bob Rajan then discussed Managing Work Related Dermatitis. He first described the skin project which aims to reduce cases of dermatitis by 10% by 2008, and to reduce lost time from contact dermatitis. He described the HSE's work as:
Communication & Awareness
leading to
Interventions, Controls & Culture change
He emphasised that:
Hands are an aid, not a tool.
Gloves are not necessarily an appropriate solution and
Persistent wet and dry cycling of the hands is a common cause of dermatitis.
Bob explained that it was necessary to identify potential workplace triggers for dermatitis:
Chemicals/substances in use - consider substitution
Means of exposure - handling procedures, ventilation, containment, PPE
Existing controls - fit for purpose?
He reminded delegates that it is important to monitor the effectiveness of controls, even after improvement; staff may become complacent or find the revised Safe System of Work inconvenient or incompatible with workplace targets.
He highlighted the relevant legislation, especially Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH; requires good controls and good practice) and RIDDOR (requires lost work day reports - under reporting was rife).
He then outlined the necessary Controls Hierarchy that should be agreed after consultation with those undertaking the tasks:
Task and equipment - appropriate, practical design of equipment and task
Correct operation - equipment, protocols, systems of work, training
Equipment - suitable for task, regular maintenance checks, staff trained in use
Ventilation - with extraction if appropriate, regular maintenance, staff training
Organisation - clear responsibilities, training and information and
PPE - last resort; appropriate for task, properly maintained; appropriate training and information for users.
COSHH requires Risk Assessment and a Safe System of Work before work starts. This should include handling, storage, transport, use, and waste disposal of all potentially harmful substances. The aim is minimum contact with substances and maximum protection for all staff and visitors who come into contact with potentially hazardous substances.
Good practice requires consideration of the following:
1. Exposure to substances should be:
a. Less than the Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) for most COSHH substances, &
b. As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) for carcinogens and sensitisers.
2. Appropriate ventilation
3. Good hygiene
4. Information, Instruction and Training
5. Contingency plans.
6. Ventilation - as well as reducing inhalation exposure it reduces ingestion, skin exposure, and deposition (leading to contaminated workplace surfaces).
Managing Work Related Dermatitis – part 2
In the second part of his talk Bob talked about potential pathways to dermatitis including:
Immersion - dipping pottery in glaze by hand, washing equipment etc…
Touching - equipment, surfaces, items being worked on etc…
Surface contamination - from dust or splashes
Splashing - from hoses, dispensers etc…
Deposition - on surfaces, equipment, protective clothing etc…
Handling - using hands rather than a simple tool, or redesigning the task
A Tyndal lamp is useful for showing airborne dust/mist that is invisible to the eye under normal light conditions.
Overalls washed at home can also be a possible source of contact dermatitis.
Solvents should not be kept/used/carried in open containers (an additional exposure hazard may be neurological or mental health problems).
The mnemonic is APC:
Avoid
Protect
Check
Avoid
- maintain a safe working distance by using tools and equipment (not hands)
- mechanise task if practicable
Protect
- use skin protection (apply to clean hands
- teach correct glove on/off procedures
- select gloves/PPE for the substance, task, environment, and wearer. CE accreditation for PPE is not a universally agreed standard identically applied by all manufacturers
- wash and dry hands with gentle media (not soap), and use a post work moisturiser (unperfumed?)
- use extraction equipment if appropriate
Check
- regular monitoring of potential dermatitis exposure routes:
a. Airborne - a Tyndal lamp is a useful indicator
b. Surface contamination (eg ventilation hoods, work surfaces) – wipes sent for analysis. Results of tests should be recorded and preventative action taken if necessary eg revise Safe System of Work.
- a Responsible Person should regularly check for early signs of dermatitis such as workers with dry/itchy/red skin and
observe work practices.
Good and bad ventilation controls
Martin Roff, Health & Safety Laboratory (HSL), then gave us a talk and demonstration on good and bad protection of hands. He reminded delegates of the control hierarchy for dealing with potentially hazardous substances in the workplace:
Eliminate
Substitute
Enclose
Mechanical controls
PPE & RPE – must include training in use and maintenance.
Don't be a fool, use a tool! When practicable, tools should be used to create distance between workpiece, container, or chemical and the worker.
Avoid reaching up if using liquids.
Gloves must be selected for correct material and thickness.
Martin then demonstrated glove degradation using acetone and a colour change patch inside the glove. He followed this with demonstrations using volunteers donning and doffing gloves externally contaminated with a bacteria simulant detectable with a UV lamp. He emphasised the difference in the way that single use and multi-use gloves should be removed.
Single use gloves:
- reverse on removal and dispose of immediately
Multi use gloves:
- check for pin-holes before use (blow up gently like a balloon)
- wash gloved hands before removal
- store carefully to avoid contamination - do not use other peoples' gloves
- handle discarded gloves with care
He noted that inner cotton gloves or liners can help absorb sweat, which is acidic. Martin re-iterated that care is needed in selection and use of pre work cream; it can help, but can rub off, or retain contamination. However, that and moisturiser can help retain good skin condition.
Working Together to Prevent Work Related Dermatitis
In his next session Bob showed us a CD in preparation, entitled "Working Together to Prevent Work Related Dermatitis" part of the HSE "It's in Your Hands" campaign.
The CD starts with examples of bad cases of dermatitis such as cement burns that the worker does not feel immediately. It describes all the possible consequences of exposure, and then goes through all the precautions we had been told about during the seminar. These include looking at SDSs and substance Risk phrases, avoiding contact with chemicals, workpieces, surfaces, and appropriate use of PPE etc…
The CD also covers the need to avoid uncontrolled spread of substances, safe work distances, ventilation, skin protection, regular changing and cleaning of PPE, use of HSE information, risk assessments, training, regular checks by a trained responsible person, gentle hand washing/drying, investigation and action on problems.
The CD includes a video on "Skin at Work". All attendees should receive a personal copy of the CD from the HSE as soon as it is available.
Bob also mentioned that latex allergies from gloves can be exacerbated by use of powder in the gloves. He reminded delegates that alternatives exist.
Dermatitis case studies
Diane's second session, after lunch, consisted of printouts of case studies that were considered by small delegate groups, and then discussed by all delegates. The aim was to seek simple (often inexpensive) solutions; in some cases, rejecting unsound opinions included in the scenario.
The case studies considered were:
1. Rosin moulding
2. Hairdressing
3. Metalwork, welding and use of lathes
4. Catering and
5. Printing.
Observations included general surface contamination, multiple chemical exposures, splashing of operator and others, need for proper glove selection, open work with solvents and no tools and the need for better design of extraction systems. Hopefully we learned, at least we didn't nod off!
Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV)
The final speaker was Dominic Pocock, HSL, who gave a talk and demonstration on LEV. He outlined the results of air movement experiments that demonstrated how contaminants spread, and reiterated the diagnostic benefits of Tyndal lamps.
He explained that the current HSE LEV Guide is being revised, and then went on to describe the component parts of an LEV system: Hood/enclosure,
Ductwork
Filter/cleaner
Fan (axial or centrifugal), and
Stack
Dominic then focused on the collector options, describing and demonstrating their effectiveness with a working LEV model and smoke generator. He showed that a captor with just an open duct end only gives 10% of LEV duct velocity one diameter away. The LEV flow velocity must be enough to capture particles with zero velocity; this can be helped by adding a flange, or by adding a partial enclosure, which must be large enough to capture contaminant. The air flow must be undisturbed with non turbulent flow eg lab fume cupboard. Downdraw, with negative pressure within gives the most efficient result.
It has been found that eddy currents in paint spray booths can persist for up to 10 minutes after spraying has finished therefore Respiratory Protection Equipment (RPE), must not be removed too soon. Each of these scenarios was illustrated by videos and/or smoke demonstrations.
Enclosures (including those used for biohazards), must be large enough for the task, with adequate flow rate, and the extraction system designed for the process including containment of the operator if necessary. Extraction air flow characteristics change when objects and people are in the vicinity; such factors must be taken into account when designing or modifying extraction systems.
An extraction receptor is a part enclosure with low air flow rate where the contaminant is sucked into the hood. It must be close to the work and moved as necessary, or it can be attached to the tool if the receptor and extraction system does not interfere with the use of the tool (due to size or weight). Again, the effectiveness of these options was illustrated.
Dominic also reminded delegates that it was necessary to face the Tyndal lamp when assessing the air currents generated during particular tasks. He suggested using smoke tubes, or bombs, or fog machines, to assist with visualising air flow characteristics.
Implementing Responsible Health Risk Management
In his closing remarks, about implementing Responsible Health Risk Management, Bob introduced us to
AIDAR
Awareness
Interest
Desire
Action
Review and
Reward
Dr Bob Rajan OBE, HSE Specialist, then thanked delegates, exhibitors and the committee for a good turnout at the seminar and expressed the hope that delegates would return to their workplaces able to help prevent dermatitis in the workplace having learnt it’s as easy as APC – Avoid, Protect and Control as part of the HSE "It's in Your Hands" campaign
Martin Fishwick, Chairman, South Cumbria IOSH District and SCOHSG, then thanked Bob and his HSE/HSL team, the exhibitors, the committee organisers, and the delegates for supporting our seminar. After a draw, an IOSH textbook was given to the winning delegate.
Delegates then adjourned for refreshment, or to revisit the exhibits before their journey home.
SCOHSG &
South Cumbria IOSH District
Seminar & exhibition 2006
Youth, the Workplace & the Law
Thursday 19th October 2006
The Netherwood Hotel, Grange-over-Sands
(105 delegates).
Introduction
Val Kennedy, Chairman, SCOHSG & South Cumbria IOSH District, welcomed everyone to the Seminar, and detailed the administration and emergency arrangements. She then handed over to Steve Smith, Principal Inspector, HSE, to chair the Seminar, and make his opening remarks.
Youth, the Workplace & the Law
Steve reminded us that a Child was below the minimum school leaving age (normally 16), and that a Young Person was under 18. The Management H & S at Work Regulations (MHSWRs) recognised their needs, due to non adult physical and mental capability and possibly poor risk recognition. All work must be specially risk assessed and certain work is prohibited, unless carefully controlled and supervised.
Risk Assessments must be provided to parents. A child must not work in industrial undertakings, unless on Work Experience. He recommended HSG165 for guidance.
As graphic examples of what can happen to Young Persons, Steve quoted a case of multiple amputation from a tractor PTO accident, and one involving burns due to diesel fumes from oil soaked clothing being ignited by an old type space heater.
Employment of children - the Law
Steve then introduced Mary Johnson & Janet Poultney of Cumbria County Council to discuss the Law in relation to Child Employment. They explained that their jobs arose following research reports by Paisley University, and also cover children in Entertainment.
Relevant legislation includes the Children & Young Person Acts 1933 & 1963, Child Performance Regulations 1968 (as amended), Child Protection at Work Regs 2000, MHSWRs, and County Council Byelaws 1998 (these latter vary from county to county). These laws are not anti work, but education must not be affected, health and welfare be protected.
Employers must accept responsibility, and not allow any child under 13 to work. Allowable working hours depend on age, day of week, term time or holiday, subject to a weekly maximum, and no work between 7pm and 7am. Thirteen year olds can do papers, office work, cafe work, cleaning, hairdressing, agriculture/horticulture/stables work, and shop work. They cannot work at/in/with alcohol, chemicals, butchery, fuel oils, telesales, kitchens, caring, money;3m above ground, theatres, night clubs, or refuse handling.
Children must register with the County Council and have a permit for work (parent/employer responsibility), so that they may be insured and compensated. Parents must see Risk Assessments.
Recognised benefits of work are: financial, social, gaining experience, and good for CVs. School work must not suffer, and they must be safe. Another amputation case was cited, in butchery work.
Advice is available in schools, libraries, service offices, and from the County Council. Mary and Janet rely on collaboration with other bodies involved in work, education, employment, enforcement and accidents. They wish to support employers, and look to improvements in the law, and a review of bye laws; differences between counties are under discussion.
Risk Assessment for Young Workers
Next, Brian Dobie was invited to talk about Risk Assessment for Young Persons. Brian defined this group as the 14-18 age group so as to include Work Experience. He pointed out that some would also include the early 20s, as this whole group was more prone to accidents, covered by words like apprentice, student, work experience, learner, trainee, teenager and starter.
Cumbria embraces many occupations, with some being high risk. The H & S at Work Act (HASAWA), Brian noted, called for Controls and Supervision. The MHSWRs called for Risk Assessments, and recognition of capabilities and the limitation of Young Persons - attention to human and physical factors meant that assessments had to be specific and not generic.
Young Persons showed naivety, over/under confidence, varying attitudes to authority, immaturity, inexperience, poor perception, emotion, �invincibility", reluctance to admit ignorance and often had limited social/communication skills. On the other hand supervisors needed to be equipped for their role, which should be a progressive one - from 1:1, to close oversight, to increased controlled periods without supervision.
Brian then talked of the Safe Learner; Safe Worker; Safe Supervisor concept. The first is led through general briefing, to specific induction, to progressive awareness, to competence through learning, and onto life long learning.
The safe worker receives understanding by induction, undertakes appropriate training/NVQs, progress, say, to charge hand, then by further training/NVQs and experience to supervisor - and beyond as able. Sources of training are IOSH, CIEH, and ENTO.
The safe supervisor is competent, accepting of responsibility, has coaching and mentoring skills, and possessing with a positive attitude to the role.
Young Workers in Catering
Dave Renshaw, Lancaster & Morecambe College Catering Department & Young Persons Placement Adviser, said that catering accidents were rising and that new or young workers were more at risk, but that early H & S training can help this. He summarised the problems as Slips and Trips, Manual Handling and Posture, Hot and Harmful Substances, and Contact Dermatitis (from foods like fish & other causes). Dave then identified solutions for each of these.
Slips can be addressed by speedy attention to spills and leaks, care with floor washing, & suitable footwear. Trips may result from damaged floors, lack of clearways and poor housekeeping - all amenable to solutions. Ownership of the problem (my spill) was important.
Lighter lifts - using 2 people, lifting aids, proper training and avoiding push/pull moves can deal with manual handling.
Poor posture, often in prolonged positions, must be obviated, by training and task changes. Cuts required particular attention to safe use of knives and particular care with glassware, with due regard to first aid requirements.
Training is needed in cleaning equipment and machines. To cope with hot and harmful substances, there must be awareness of hot containers and surfaces, securing of such containers, avoidance of carrying hot liquids, and safe procedures for handling fat and cleaning it up. The right clothing must be correctly worn; also, wet cloths and heat sources are incompatible. Staff must be COSHH aware.
Dave said the six Cs for catering were: Commitment
Culture (including Trust)
Competence
Communication
Cooperation &
Control.
Records of training must be kept and used as the basis for assigning tasks and authorising use of equipment. Supervisors need guidance - they need to be able to assess ability, identify hazards, do Risk Assessments, demonstrate correct procedures, assign tasks according to capability, check understanding, observe performance and respond by informing the learner, showing them where to get help.
Safe Working procedures and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be issued for tasks, with assessments on display. Management controls include accident monitoring, checking the work environment, training in a team context, hazard analysis/risk assessment, and COSHH controls.
Staff are the asset - what is best for them is best for you - include H&S in induction -protect them - strike a happy balance in managing them. The LSC and HSE websites have useful information.
Better Backs & Young Persons
In a late programme change, Lesley Cooper, Morecambe Bay Hospitals Trust spoke about Better Backs in the context of the HSE Better Backs Campaign and of Young People. She said 3.1 million people suffer back pain; 1.1 million are chronically disabled, and 80% of adults will suffer back pain; all this at a cost of about �5Bn.
Some back pain starts in childhood, with up to 50% suffering; in 8% schooling is affected, and 3% have chronic disability. Lesley said that things are getting worse, citing lack of exercise (due to TV and PCs) - a minimum of 1hr/dy of exercise is needed. Taller children using small school furniture is another problem! Coupled with the use of tables instead of desks and children carrying up to 30% of their own weight in rucksacks it is no wonder that there is an increase of back problems amongst children.
We then rose to do the 30 wiggles/30 stretch routine - commended for regular use, to overcome bad posture at school, work, and home. Lesley deplored the lack of back education, when schools cover alcohol, drugs, sex and diet. She quoted the usual myths -Young Persons have good backs and not me, I'm not growing old.
She said the Back Formula is about
Habits + Posture + Repetition
and followed this with diagrams of disc damage-degeneration, bulging, herniated, thinning and osteophytes; noting an increase in the incidence of 14-16s with slipped discs.
The solution, for Better Backs, is:
Good Habits + Better Furniture + Better Posture.
Attitudes must change: Young Persons are not always fit and strong. We can work with backache, there are solutions, "the man is stronger than the woman" thing is not always true, nor is choosing the younger over the older person.
Lesley showed a short video of kiddies at play, crouching naturally to lift; bad habits are learned and must be unlearned. Training and supervision of Young Persons are relevant and must be carried into the real world of work. Lesley said that these problems also occur with student nurses.
Young Workers in Construction & Outdoor Work
In a double session, divided by lunch, Roger Kendrick of Aegis Services spoke about Young Persons in Construction and Outdoor Work. Roger said he had spent 40 years with MAFF & HSE (covering both Construction & Agriculture) and had investigated about 150 fatal accidents, also noting that child deaths on farms used to run at 50-60 per year.
He said that the young are our future, but are vulnerable due to ignorance, inexperience, overconfidence, exuberance, anxiety to please, and anxiety not to show weakness, "invincibility", and lack of training. He quoted RTA figures to support this, saying that 28% of RTAs are in the 6% of young drivers, 33% of Dangerous Driving cases occur in 3% of this group, and 33% of young males write off a car in their first year of driving. The statistics are similarly biased in industry - they need the right experience.
The HASAWA calls for a Safety Policy, a safe place of work and Information, Instruction, Supervision and Training (IIST). The MHSWRs require Risk Assessments (& their review), noting capability, the limitations on and of Young Persons, and Risk Assessment information to parents.
Roger advocated a 5 x 5 Probability and Severity matrix for Risk Assessments.
His categorisation was:
1-2 no action
3-5 low risk
6-9 medium risks
10-15 high risks
16-25 unacceptable
He also mentioned possible sources of funding for training - CITB, LSC, Professional Institutions, and Local Business Partnerships.
Turning to falls at height, Roger said that numbers are down for fatals, but low falls (less than 2m) are a sizeable proportion. HSE now support mitigation (as second to prevention) - this can reduce a fatal to an injury. Major accidents are increased, especially slip, trips, and falls.
Three Day Absence Reportable Accidents have reached a plateau - over half being in construction and agriculture. Roger said the UK record for fatals is good, compared with Europe, and is comparable with Scandinavia.
So work at height is the big killer and important in major injuries.
He reminded us that work at height is any where a fall could cause harm. If possible it should be avoided, or prevented by using existing access, or mitigated by using the best method and equipment, planning, supervision, competent persons, and work in good weather.
Risks arise from unsecured work, fragile roofs, dangerous structures, defective equipment, not following procedures and lack of information about risks.
Roger repeatedly stressed that the significant hazards he was describing, which took their toll of the established workers in the sectors concerned, presented an even greater risk to the young and inexperienced persons starting and working in those sectors.
He then turned to transport as used in construction and agriculture etc... He mentioned a serendipitous outcome, with respect to tractor cabs. In the years before they became mandatory, many farmers (often working alone) were killed using tractors, when they overturned etc: These figures have been greatly reduced by the fitting of cabs (if they are properly used).
However, the legal requirement did not extend to the self-employed, but it is now difficult to purchase a tractor without a cab, as the fittings are designed in, thus all groups are protected.
Transport is the second biggest killer in Agriculture and Construction. The key points for improved safety are: carrying out a risk assessment, careful selection of equipment, proper maintenance, training leading to competence, adequate supervision, avoiding reversing, and segregation of vehicles andpedestrians. As with other equipment, unauthorised use must be prevented; the temptation to allow this in pressing situations resisted; and similarly with riding unauthorised passengers.
Manual Handling presents a significant risk in the sectors under discussion. The vulnerability of Young Persons has already been highlighted. Again, Roger said, the starting point is the Risk Assessment. All too often, the weight of the item to be lifted was not known, and the SWL of the lifting equipment and fittings also may not be clear eg with imported equipment. Lifting aids are a vital part of the solution. Less heavy alternatives may also be available eg: kerbs made of composite material, which are not solid.
Roger's final topic was lone working. He highlighted a problem aired before, about the unsupervised Young Person needing to know where to get guidance or assistance, which could be potentially difficult if injured. There could be a delay in rescue, not least if actual whereabouts are uncertain. The Risk Assessment should therefore address ID of the location, supervision, regular checks (by visit or communication), and emergency arrangements, having established that the nature of the task is amenable to lone working.
The key message, said Roger, was Risk Assess - Plan - Follow the hierarchy of controls - Priority to collective protection - and use of good practice.
Accidents at Work - Young Workers
The day's final speaker was Dr. Jim McKechnie of the Child Employment Research Group at Paisley University, speaking about Understanding Accident Injury to Young Persons at Work based on results from their 15 years of research from the YPs' perspective. The study population for the research covered children under sixteen, full time at school, in part time jobs, working in a variety of jobs, changing jobs, not always continuously in jobs, doing "adult" jobs, and not always working legally.
As a population group, they tend to be invisible, and statistics-including accident ones- are lacking. There are positive and negative outcomes from their work, but they are more likely to have accidents. There are some difficulties in defining jobs and work, eg babysitting, which sometimes extends to a mini business, run by the child, and involving other children. Statistics may involve those not currently working.
Most of what Jim had to say concerned studies in Cumbria, but they had also done larger studies in Scotland. For instance, survey reporting of having had an accident varied from 19% to 44%. Studies in Cumbria gave figures of 21% in 1992, 23% in 1994, & 38% in 2004.
In the study group described below, 45% said they had had an accident (but see below!). Looking at the statistics, about half suffered cuts and bruises, and about a quarter suffered burns. Some of those on newspaper rounds reported back pain. There was therefore a need to explore H & S aspects, training, risk perception, and the accidents themselves, although there was a tendency to describe the general scenario, rather than detailing causes and injuries.
For the Cumbria study, they chose 55 out of 530 students. In interviews, the number having accidents rose to 83%. Individual examples indicated that previous under reporting was because they carried on working (eg after falling off a bike in bad weather), or saw the accident as their fault, etc... 41/55 said they had received some training, but typically this was cursory, short, insufficient, of poor quality, and minimal with regard to H & S. The large scale study in Scotland also showed the inadequacy of H & S training.
There is evidence of risky behaviour, where risk perception was poor. This important aspect was pursued by means of a Job Risk Card Sort. The study group were challenged with nine different job descriptions, and asked to rate their risks (by implication, from their perception of the hazards) + rating the risks of their own job. This gave an overall ranking of job risks.
Importantly, those who had suffered an accident gave small but significantly decreased risk scores, compared with those who hadn't had an accident. Even their own job (where they had the accident) was scored lower.
What therefore influences perception in young people? Jim asked. They seemed to focus on physical risks, but the interview/ survey process seemed to have stimulated thought about risk. It also suggests that the minimal training received contributed little to their risk education and perception. It may also be that the Young Persons' concepts differ from adults', the latter having a wider view and better perception.
Jim said the research findings gave a clear indication that the whole aspect of training and H & S for young people needs to be addressed, and that the invisible workforce idea must be got rid of, in respect of these young people.
Concluding the Seminar, Steve Smith said he thought it had been a valuable day. He thanked the Speakers for their presentations and thanked SCOHSG and South Cumbria IOSH District Joint Committee for organising the event.
Burdened as the Delegates were with knowledge and HSE tea bags, Val Kennedy invited them to trade in their Comments Sheets for a SCOHSG ice scraper. She thanked everyone for attending and invited them to the next meeting, at 2pm on Thurs: 16th November 2006 for an Update on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.
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