TABLE OF CONTENTS The main responsibility for occupational health and safety lies with the employer. It is the employer who must provide a safe working environment, safe equipment and safety protection and must also ensure that all work methods are carried out safely.
The Health and Safety at Work Act (HASAWA) 1974 is a major piece of occupational legislation, which requires the employer to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of all staff and any other personnel who may be affected by the work carried out. The other two important regulations affecting bodyshops are the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 1988 and the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) 1990. Chapter 15 provides further information about these regulations.
All employees should be aware of the importance of personal hygiene and should follow correct procedures to clean and protect the skin in order to avoid irritants causing skin infections and dermatitis. All personnel should use a suitable barrier cream before starting work and again when recommencing work after a break. There are waterless hand cleaners available which will remove heavy dirt on skin prior to thorough washing. When the skin has been washed, after-work creams will help to restore its natural moisture.
Many paints, refinishing chemicals and bodyshop materials will cause irritation on contact with the skin and must be removed promptly with a suitable cleansing material. Paint solvents may cause dermatitis, particularly where skin...
