Welcome Guest! The IOSH forums are a free resource to both members and non-members. Login or register to use them

IOSH Forums are closing 

The IOSH Forums will close on 5 January 2026 as part of a move to a new, more secure online community platform.

All IOSH members will be invited to join the new platform following the launch of a new member database in the New Year. You can continue to access this website until the closure date. 

For more information, please visit the IOSH website.

Postings made by forum users are personal opinions. IOSH is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any of the information contained in forum postings. Please carefully consider any advice you receive.

Notification

Icon
Error

2 Pages<12
Options
Go to last post Go to first unread
Admin  
#41 Posted : 27 March 2008 17:18:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Chris Packham Just a further thought. If someone is "atopic" (and a significant percentage of the population is, although they may not be aware of this) then they have an enhanced potential to become sensitised or to suffer from an irritant contact dermatitis. Do we exclude these people from working with any chemicals? To what extent do we take inter-individual differences, such as atopy, into our risk assessment? Chris
Admin  
#42 Posted : 28 March 2008 01:45:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By 9-Ship I have followed this topic with dismay over the last few days. How on earth could it ever be considered that medication could be a form of PPE is totally beyond me. Is it me?
Admin  
#43 Posted : 28 March 2008 09:23:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Raymond Rapp 9-Ship I sympathise with your sentiments and indeed some recent postings have left me perplexed. However, good discussions will often have contrasting views (good, bad and ugly). That said, the notion of medication being PPE is not as daft as it might appear. For example, and I can't believe it has not been raised, suncream and barrier cream could arguably be PPE in certain circumstances. I hope I have not opened a can of worms now... Ray
Admin  
#44 Posted : 28 March 2008 09:37:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Chris Packham Ray Sun protection cream can be used as a form of PPE. There are data on many of these creams as to the level of protection they provide. They would not be considered as 'medication' so would not really come within the scope of the original posting. However, for me they would be very much a last resort. As far as "barrier creams" are concerned, these are legally cosmetics and are sold as such (although this is rarely made clear to the purchaser). If you then use them as 'protection' it is up to you to determine whether their performance will adequately control the exposure. Since there are no validated tests for this how will you do this and what will your position be if you provide the cream and then a user develops dermatitis? The HSE has stated that these creams should not be used as primary protection as there is no evidence on their performance. Furthermore, several studies have shown that they are seldom applied in such a manner as to cover the hands completely. Isn't this akin to providing gloves with holes? At the 2nd World Congress on Work-related and Environmental Allergy in Weimar last year two papers were given showing increased skin penetration with protective creams compared with bare skin. Chris
Admin  
#45 Posted : 28 March 2008 09:46:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By GeoffB4 Chris P, you said: ...omeprazole to control Barrett's syndrome... I haven't heard that one, is it their procedures or arrangements that are the problem, or possibly CSCS cards.............
Admin  
#46 Posted : 28 March 2008 09:52:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Chris Packham Barrett's syndrome is a condition where the wall of the lower oesophagus attempts to mimic that of the stomach. There is an increased tendency to develop ulcers which, in my case, led to severe anaemia and hospitalisation earlier this year. Omeprazole controls this condition. Incidentally, there is also an increased risk of cancer. Chris
Admin  
#47 Posted : 28 March 2008 13:39:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By The toecap In answer to the original post. No.
Admin  
#48 Posted : 28 March 2008 14:06:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Robert K Lewis I am losing the will to live!!!
Admin  
#49 Posted : 28 March 2008 18:36:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By GeoffB4 So am I Bob. Did my last comment seem to you like a serious response requiring a serious answer or am I cracking up! We'll go down together, just like Colchester United.
Admin  
#50 Posted : 28 March 2008 18:39:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By GeoffB4 Chris P - I'm beginning to fear for my sanity. I must stop looking at this forum I must stop looking st this forum I must.....
Admin  
#51 Posted : 28 March 2008 19:13:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Chris Packham Geoff My wife tells me I lost my sanity years ago! Perhaps not, as I am about to open the bar (a bit late I know, but have had a report to finish). The cask strength Laphroig is calling... Chris
Admin  
#52 Posted : 28 March 2008 22:37:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By D H Hi folks - thank you for the debate. I agree that medication is not PPE as regards to the Regs. But common sense (and I know sense is not always common) Yes - we live in the real world. The guy involved stated that he was sitting in his office - windows open - summer time (remember them?) and is being exposed to the pollen from anyone else cutting grass etc. Taking further medication when Supervisor comes in and demands something else. (sorry cant details of job as I would be killed) He takes further medication and lives and keeps his job. Others may be paid off. I agree strongly with some of the respondents but agree it opens a can of worms. If not reasonable - get a contractor to do it - dont ask if they have hay fever - problem solved??
Admin  
#53 Posted : 29 March 2008 20:35:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By SMurray I would have thought that any medication, such as the antihistamine hayfever relief, was intended to treat or ease the symptoms of a condition or illness. In my opinion therefore, medication cannot be regarded as PPE. It would be much more beneficial to provide adequate Respiratory Protection Equipment (RPE), to prevent the allergens entering the unfortunate victim's (sufferer's) system in the first place? Steve M.
Admin  
#54 Posted : 30 March 2008 12:03:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Robert K Lewis Definitely lost it now B
Admin  
#55 Posted : 30 March 2008 13:17:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By GeoffB4 So this guy is sat at his desk with his RPE on ... getting ready for the mornings lecture on the use of common (good) sense in h&s........ But finally he breaks, takes a hilti gun and ............ Bob, can we jump off the bridge together? By the way I emailed you about another matter a week ago - is your shown address in use?
Admin  
#56 Posted : 31 March 2008 08:42:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Robert K Lewis Sorry Geoff It is there but have been having some email issues - hope to be back to it this week. Yes this thread is getting sopme of us in strange ways Bob
Users browsing this topic
Guest (3)
2 Pages<12
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.