If you use natural rubber latex (NRL) gloves, you must carry out health surveillance of your staff. The latex rubber can cause asthma & dermatitis and the main cause is from single use disposable natural rubber latex gloves. If you use low protein natural rubber latex gloves they must not be powdered.

The extent and detail of the health surveillance should be related to the degree of risk that you identified during the COSHH assessment and also in consultation with an occupational health professional.

The Health Surveillance
 
This should include:

• An assessment of the worker's respiratory health & skin condition before they start a relevant job to provide a baseline record.
• A regular (at least annual) check for dermatitis and asthma. Such a check may consist of a written questionnaire or done verbally during appraisal reviews etc. Positive results should be referred to an Occupational Health professional for assessment.
• A responsible person identified and known to staff, competent to deliver these duties, and with lines of referral to an occupational doctor or nurse, for the reporting of symptoms as they might occur.
• For staff known to be sensitised to NRL and those considered to be at a high risk of developing sensitisation i.e. atopic individuals, a higher level of health surveillance including a periodic clinical assessment by an occupational health doctor or nurse will normally be deemed appropriate.
• A record must be kept of the health surveillance results.

Further Information

Further information about latex can be found at the following webpage Link:  HSE Webpage - Latex