Here’s why you need to take care of your hands in the workshop

Vehicle technicians are at risk of work-related skin problems, according to UK's Health and Safety Executive

Here’s why you need to take care of your hands in the workshop
Skin problems can come in many forms, with the most common being dermatitis which can simply be a rash or irritated area of skin.

The skin is the largest organ in the body, contains 20 per cent of the body’s water and accounts for up to ten per cent of body weight.

Despite this, it’s only between 0.5-4mm thick – have a look at your nearest feeler gauge to see how thick this is.

The skin regulates temperature, senses heat, cold and pressure.

It forms a protective barrier against exposure to chemicals, microbes and other contaminants.

It also prevents loss of water from the body.

In a recent press release, Swarfega, the brand behind the renowned ‘green gel’ hand cleanser, said: “The skin is made up of three main layers, with the epidermis forming the upper layer.

“The outside of the epidermis is only 0.03mm-0.25mm thick, this forms the main barrier against contaminants getting in and stopping water from escaping.

“The horny layer is slightly acidic which helps to keep the army of good microbes on our skin healthy.

“If damaged, this part of the skin can take up to six weeks to be repaired.”

Workshop skincare tips
  • Prevention – the best way to keep the skin on your hands in good condition is to prevent contact with contaminant in the first place, ideally avoiding contact, but using gloves where contact is required.
  • Protection – products such as Swarfega’s Protect cream help to guard the skin against harmful contaminants, they also make it much easier to clean your hands at the end of your shift.
  • Cleanse – washing your hands regularly will help prevent a build-up of soiling and reduce contact time with contaminants. According to a recent survey, Swarfega found that, on average, a mechanic washes their hands ten times a day. It’s important to choose the right cleanser for the job – don’t use heavy duty cleanser if you’ve only got light soiling as repeated washing with heavy duty products can also be harmful.
  • Restoration – after you’ve washed your hands, applying a restoration cream will help restore the natural oils and moisture to the skin, that you’ve lost during washing.

In the UK, the Health & Safety Executive lists motor mechanics as a job group with one of the highest risks of work-related skin problems.

It’s due to the frequent and prolonged exposure to oil, grease, cleaning and degreasing products.

Swarfega added: “Skin problems can come in many forms, with the most common being dermatitis which can simply be a rash or irritated area of skin.

“The skin can also be home to severe allergic reactions to a contaminant.”

For further information about Swarfega, follow the ‘more details’ link below.

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