Incident
Skin
Infection
Suspected cause: Dirty Safety Hat
The
use of hard hats has undoubtedly saved hundreds of lives in recent years.
However, it was recently reported that an employee of a major contractor
developed a severe skin infection on his head, called cellulitis. The most
likely cause was storing dirty / soiled gloves within the individual’s hard
hat.
Causes
& Risk Factors of Cellulitis?
The
skin normally has many active bacteria's living on it. Healthy skin is an
effective barrier which stops skin bacteria from entering & growing inside
the body. However, when there's a break in the skin, bacteria can easily enter
the body & grow there, causing a bacterial skin infection & skin
inflammation. The infected skin area becomes red, hot, irritated & painful.
Treatment is usually by use of antibiotics, oral or topical.
Prevention & Lessons To Be Learnt:
1. Do not store dirty or soiled gloves inside your head protection.
2. Check your skin for cuts & abrasions regularly.
3. Cover any cuts or abrasions with a suitable plaster or other dressing.
4. Check your PPE regularly! Look at the condition of your hard hat.
5. Look at the condition of your gloves. If they are heavily soiled or contaminated, replace them.
1. Do not store dirty or soiled gloves inside your head protection.
2. Check your skin for cuts & abrasions regularly.
3. Cover any cuts or abrasions with a suitable plaster or other dressing.
4. Check your PPE regularly! Look at the condition of your hard hat.
5. Look at the condition of your gloves. If they are heavily soiled or contaminated, replace them.
