David If you send me an e-mail I will let you have the dermatitis I sent to for-mentioned institution Alan

A COSHH risk assessment would normally cover risks due to chemical exposure of the skin. However, this is somewhat more complex that many realise. For example, there are many chemicals that will not have a risk phrase and therefore not generally appear on the safety data sheet, but that can cause occupational skin disease. Chemicals often change when used, so the hazard can also change. For these reasons alone (and there are others) the safety data sheet is frequently not sufficient for an effective risk assessment for skin exposure. You will also need to include the cumulative effect of physical (including weather) and chemical effects, particularlly where irritant contact dermatitis is the concern. Chris