4 ways to automate a dermatitis risk assessment

#1 - Simple assessment

Who it's for: Single-site businesses recording the dermatitis assessment themselves, kitchens, bars, and anywhere with frequent wet work.

What it is: A dermatitis risk assessment records the wet-work and contact hazards that can cause occupational dermatitis, who's exposed, the controls, and any further action. This version keeps each hazard in one group: the hazard, who's exposed, controls in place, risk level, and further action. You add one group per hazard, prolonged wet work, detergents and sanitisers, frequent hand-washing, food contact (citrus, raw protein).

Available on: Basic.

In practice: A kitchen assesses its skin hazards. For "prolonged wet work at the pot wash", they note who's exposed (kitchen porters), the controls (waterproof gloves, drying hands properly, rotating the role, moisturiser available), rate it medium, and the further action: provide cotton liner gloves. Next hazard, next group.

Why it works: Occupational dermatitis is one of the most common work-related ill-health conditions in catering, and it's easy to miss because it builds up slowly. Keeping each hazard in one group makes it a real assessment of who's exposed and how.

Steps included:

• 1 grouped assessment (one group per hazard): hazard, who's exposed, controls in place, risk level, further action
• Duplicate the group for each skin hazard

When to upgrade:

1. A manager does the assessment and needs the framework
2. You want to attach evidence (skin-check records, the gloves and cream provided)
3. You run more than one site and need a signed, dated record

#2 - With guidance

Who it's for: Businesses where a manager completes the assessment.

What it is: The simple assessment with a guidance note in the group, built on the "APC" approach the HSE recommends for skin: Avoid direct contact where you can (tools, less wet work, dishwashers), Protect skin with suitable gloves and regular moisturiser, and Check skin for early signs (dryness, redness, itching) so problems are caught early. It also notes drying hands thoroughly, since wet skin under gloves is part of the problem.

Available on: Standard.

What it adds to the previous template:

1. The APC approach (avoid, protect, check) is on screen
2. The manager builds in skin checks, the part most often missed
3. The assessment is consistent whoever completes it

Why it works: The guidance sits in the group with the fields, so the assessor uses the recognised APC approach rather than just "wear gloves".

Steps included:

• 1 guidance note in the group (APC: avoid, protect, check; dry hands)
• 1 grouped assessment: hazard, who's exposed, controls, risk level, further action

When to upgrade: When the assessment needs evidence (Dermatitis RA #3) or a signed, dated record (#4).

#3 - With photo evidence

Who it's for: Businesses that want to attach evidence, the gloves and moisturiser provided, or a skin-check record.

What it is: The guided assessment plus a photo or attachment in the group, the glove and cream station, or a record of skin checks. Evidence the protect-and-check controls are real.

Available on: Standard.

What it adds to the previous template:

1. A photo or record attached, captured at the time
2. Evidence that gloves, cream, and skin checks are actually provided
3. A baseline to compare at the next review

Why it works: Dermatitis controls are easy to claim and easy to let lapse. A photo of the glove-and-cream station, or a skin-check record, is proof they're in place.

Steps included:

• 1 guidance note in the group (APC: avoid, protect, check; dry hands)
• 1 grouped assessment: hazard, who's exposed, controls, risk level, further action
• 1 photo or record in the group

When to upgrade: When the assessment needs a named, dated sign-off (Dermatitis RA #4).

#4 - With photo and signature

Who it's for: Multi-site groups where each site's dermatitis assessment has to be signed, dated, and reviewable from head office.

What it is: The assessment plus a signature in the group. The assessor signs to confirm it and set a review date.

Available on: Standard.

What it adds to the previous template:

1. A signature confirming who assessed and when
2. A clear point to set the next review date
3. A complete, dated record an auditor treats as best practice

Why it works: The signature makes the assessment owned and dated, and across sites it lets a safety lead confirm every site with wet work has assessed the skin risk.

Steps included:

• 1 guidance note in the group (APC: avoid, protect, check; dry hands)
• 1 grouped assessment: hazard, who's exposed, controls, risk level, further action
• 1 photo or record in the group
• 1 signature in the group (assessed by)

When to upgrade: When you want Poppi to prompt the regular skin checks itself, or pull every site's assessments into one report. Those versions are coming in the next post update.

How to pick the right version

You don't need to know our product to choose. Just answer three questions.

Is it just you assessing, or does a manager do it?

If you do it yourself, a plain assessment is enough. The moment a manager does it, the APC approach needs to be on screen. If only you assess, #1 is fine. If a manager does, start at #2.

Do you need evidence, or is a written record enough?

A written assessment meets the duty. A photo of the controls or a skin-check record makes it stronger. If a written record is enough, stop at #2. If you want evidence, #3 adds it.

Does it need a signed, dated sign-off?

For a single site, the record can stand alone. Across sites, an auditor wants a signature on each. If no sign-off is needed, #3 is enough. If you run more than one site, #4 adds a signature.

Related workflows

• COSHH risk assessment - the detergents and sanitisers in COSHH terms
• Kitchen risk assessment - the wider kitchen assessment
• Personal hygiene - hand-washing and skin care for food safety

Conclusion

Occupational dermatitis is common, painful, and preventable, and it's easy to overlook because it creeps up slowly on the people doing the most wet work. A dermatitis risk assessment using the APC approach is how you show you've protected them. The versions above move from a simple assessment to a signed, dated record.

Five more versions are coming in the next refresh that bring AI into the picture. Poppi can prompt the regular skin checks itself, and pull every site's assessments into one report. Those need more review time and will land separately.

→ Build your own dermatitis risk assessment on Pilla. The Basic plan unlocks the simple assessment today.