Just looking for a bit of advice; had a colleague who suffered a bad skin reaction to latex gloves. Is this reportable under RIDDOR? A couple of HSE guidance docs indicate it is but I have been told if it is a pre-existing allergy then it's not reportable i.e. the disease/condition wasn't caused by the workplace.

There are two possible reactions to natural rubber latex gloves. The most common is a reaction not to the latex but to the chemicals used in the manufacture of the gloves. This is a type IV reaction, allergic contact dermatitis, which is reportable, regardless of whether the person has reacted to the causative chemical before. The second, the type I reaction, allergic contact urticaria, is to certain proteins in the natural rubber latex. This is not reportable as it is not classified as dermatitis.

So you will need to differentiate betwee the two reactions, particularly as if you do not know what the causative chemical is how will you manage the problem. If a type IV reaction be aware that the same chemicals that can cause this in natural rubber latex gloves also may be present in other gloves, e.g. nitrile.

Normally this would be done by a dermatologist who would carry out the appropriate test (patch, prick, RAST, ELISA) to determine the causative chemical. Howeever, it is possible to differentiate between the two types without the actual test being done. 

Note that the most common reaction to occlusive gloves is not allergy by irritation due to the hyperhydration that occurs that can, of itself, result in what has been termed 'hydration dermatitis'.

If you need more on this feel free to contact me direct.

Chris