Oil. Grease. Sore hands. Just part of the job?

What causes dermatitis in vehicle workshops?

Dermatitis is inflammation of the skin. Workshop oils, solvents, cleaning products and other substances can irritate it; some substances can also cause an allergic reaction. Repeated washing and harsh hand cleaners can add to the problem.

HSE warns about frequent or prolonged contact with used engine oil, which can cause dermatitis and other skin disorders. Do not treat oily hands or contaminated overalls as an unavoidable part of servicing vehicles.

Look beyond the person doing the job. Oily tool handles, shared controls and dirty cloths can spread contamination. Keeping an oily rag in an overall pocket also keeps the contamination against the body.

Assess the job, not just the bottle

COSHH means the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations. Your assessment needs to consider how people are exposed during the work and what will prevent or adequately control that exposure.

Start with product labels and safety data sheets, then watch the task. A sheet for a new product does not describe every exposure from used oil, waste, contaminated parts or cleaning up afterwards. Record the substance, who handles it, how often contact happens and how the controls will work.

HSE’s guidance on skin exposure and COSHH explains the assessment and control duties. Include apprentices, temporary staff and anyone who helps with waste or cleaning.

Keep the oil off the hands in the first place

Position drain pans before opening a system. Use suitable tools to handle contaminated parts where practical. Keep clean and dirty equipment separate, and give used filters and oily cloths a proper disposal route.

Consider whether a less harmful cleaning product or a different method could do the job. Check the replacement before using it: a new chemical or process can introduce different risks. HSE’s avoid, protect, check approach puts preventing contact ahead of relying on gloves.

Blue gloves are not a specification

Nitrile gloves are commonly used for oils and grease, but colour and material alone do not tell you whether a glove is suitable for a particular solvent or cleaning chemical. Check the product information and the glove manufacturer’s chemical-resistance data.

Choose the size, grip and protection needed for the task. Ask the supplier if the selection or replacement interval is unclear. No glove protects against every substance indefinitely.

Show staff how to remove contaminated gloves without transferring the substance to their skin. Make replacements easy to reach, and check that people actually use the arrangements. HSE’s workshop glove-selection guidance explains why the work, wearer and environment all matter.

Make clean hands easy

Provide suitable washing facilities, a mild effective skin cleanser and a way to dry hands properly. Staff should remove contamination promptly and clean their hands before eating or drinking.

After-work moisturising creams can support skin care. They do not replace exposure controls or suitable gloves. HSE is clear that “barrier cream” is not a substitute for gloves.

Spot changes early and act on them

Tell staff how to report itching, dryness, cracking, soreness or changes in skin colour. Do not wait until somebody cannot work. A worker with suspected work-related dermatitis should seek advice from their GP or occupational health service and explain what they handle at work.

Use the risk assessment to determine whether formal health surveillance is needed. Where required, arrange a suitable programme with competent occupational health input. A trained responsible person may carry out routine skin checks with professional support; they do not diagnose the condition.

Keep records secure and use the findings to review exposure controls. A completed check is useful only if concerns lead to action. HSE’s skin health-surveillance guidance sets out the approach. You can also explore SIUK’s occupational skin-surveillance support.

Five checks for the workshop manager

1. Watch one job. Follow an oil change or parts-cleaning task from preparation to waste disposal.
2. Check the glove choice. Confirm suitability for the substance and task, rather than buying by colour.
3. Check the facilities. Look at washing, drying, glove supplies and contaminated clothing.
4. Ask about symptoms. Make sure staff know who to tell and how to obtain professional advice.
5. Close the gaps. Assign actions and dates, then check whether exposure has reduced.