What should I be doing?

To help your employer fulfill their duties and to look after your own health & safety at work you should co-operate with your employer and follow the guidance & instructions you are given with regard to the use of natural rubber latex products.

This might mean for example not wearing gloves where there is no risk of infection, or by using nitrile or synthetic gloves.

Informing your employer if you develop any particular breathing difficulties made worse by the use of natural rubber latex products.

What should I expect from my employer?

You can expect your employer to provide you with guidance & information necessary to protect yourself and colleagues from the risks to health of natural rubber latex products.

You can expect them to provide alternative Types of gloves, for use where gloves are necessary.

You can expect them to provide you with regular health checks (health surveillance) to identify early warning signs of any reaction to natural rubber latex. This might be in the form of a health questionnaire, or meetings and discussions with your supervisors or occupational health staff.

Latex allergy is potentially a serious problem but it can be managed and controlled. If you are sensitive to latex, it is possible you will react to any latex product and you should try to avoid any articles made from rubber. There are numerous everyday items to be avoided, including gloves, balloons, rubber toys, pencil erasers, latex mattresses and pillows, hot water bottles etc.

Care should be taken with tyres and rubber sole shoes, and also with adhesives and self-adhesive envelopes, some of which contain latex.

Further information

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