I have been reading with interest the introduction of new Nurses/NHS staff uniforms rolling out and the problems that they appear to be causing some wearers. Google it for details. Its reported that in the region of 8% of staff issued with these new uniforms have sufferred some skin complaints which appear to vary from mild to cronic, refferal to Occupational Health. I have been told directly that some NHS staff have had medication for complaints, such as Ibobrufen. Following this closely to see how it pans out, but where is the duty of care where it is know that a product causes any reaction to employees. Is it OK to continue issueing in the light of knowledge that the uniforms are causing skin complaints. Is this a bit like the Latax issues. The latest information about this was that NHS staff have been told to wash the uniforms several times before wearing as it may be the weave of the fabric causing problems. Any thoughts on this as I think it may be a good topic for discussion about the Health/Safety issues...

It could potentially be the cleaning agents they are washed in as they are a lot stronger than your domestic washing powder at home. Certainly when our overalls where washed by a contractor at work a few people had reactions so they used to take there overalls home to wash them. But given part of the idea of nurses and doctors changing to these new uniforms is to stop the spread of germs and viruses to the employees home as i believe they used to wera the uniforms home and wash them. It might be worth trying to wash them at home and see if they get the same reaction. personally not convinced that it is because the material is new who ever had a reaction from new clothes they bought from a shop? Phil

Phil Actually, skin reactions to new clothing is not that uncommon, as any dermatologist concerned with contact dermatitis will tell you. With many items of clothing, particularly those manufactured in the Far East, the fabric is treated with chemicals to make it appear more attractive, make it more crease or stain resistant, etc. Some of these are sensitisers and can therefore result in the wearer, who is allergic to the substance, developing an allergic contact dermatitis. Chris

I think there should be some concern about employees wearing contaminated clothing with god knows what on in to the home and thought the idea was to change to scrubs that the hospital would launder as for colour used to identify different skills of staff and very closely matching others then you have to look at the incompetence of amangement who knows maybe with the new uniforms they might get it sorted.

Phil Reaction to the actual fabric is not common, but reaction to the coatings does occur. One of the common chemicals that is involved in this is actually formaldehyde, a well known and potent sensitiser. You are also correct to be concerned about reaction to the residues from washing powders. My daughter reacts if her clothes are washed in certain washing powders. We also investigated a case of a worker on an oil rig who had to be evacuated due to a strong skin reaction when he donned the fire-resistant coveralls. It took us quite a lot of work, including working with a very experienced specialist dermatologist, to identify that the cause was a very unusual fragrance in the washing powder used by the contractors who washed the coveralls. This was a rare sensitiser that had been missed in earlier clinical investigations by another dermatologist. He now washes his coveralls out on the rigs himself and does not have the reaction. So both fabric treatment and washing powders can be involved. I am also concerned at the idea that healthcare workers take their uniforms home and wash them themselves. Not only may these be contaminated with potentially pathogenic micro-organisms to which others might become exposed, but the usual domestic washing machine is not really powerful enought to ensure that they are adequately washed to ensure that all micro-organisms have been removed. What about the possibility, also, of other (domestic) clothing and fabrics becoing cross-contaminated? Chris

Thanks Chris, I'm going to go home and move the 'clean' uniforms to the shed now! :) (although I think this may be bad for my immediate safety when she has to go outside at 6am tomorrow :) ) Yup, I am amazed too!! Scrubs are now worn as a norm (just get forced to watch one born every minute to see). I asked my Wife at lunch about this, they wear the coloured uniforms under discussion. And yup skin reactions are common. This is put down to a 'starching' agent and she reports it's fine after a few washes. It's good to know all this is well controlled....