Concern for caterers' skin
Dermatitis is costing the catering industry up to £20 million a year, while the cost of measures to control it is less than 1% of the price of an average restaurant meal, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
It is stepping up an awareness campaign about the skin condition, which occurs when the skin's protective layer is broken, resulting in redness, irritation and blistering.
It's caused by prolonged contact with water, soap and cleaning products.
A spokesman from the HSE said:
"Many workers suffer from some degree of dermatitis as a result of substances they have come into contact with at work and the truth is that in addition to costing them their careers the painful symptoms then go on to affect and disrupt other aspects of their life."
