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Damaged skin points to missing gloves

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A mechanical engineer developed a painful skin condition when he was exposed to chemicals at work. The 59-year-old Unite member from Plymouth, whose name has not been released, developed dermatitis after he was exposed to several different chemicals in his role as an engineer for Camtec Engineering Ltd. He was not provided with suitable gloves and as a result his hands became covered in the liquids. He first began to notice problems with his hands in June 2009 and was told by his GP that he was suffering from occupational dermatitis. He was provided with creams but his hands continued to be painful and cracked. It was another six months before his employer took his condition seriously and provided him with protective gloves. The Unite member has since left the job and is unemployed. He said his condition is largely under control but is concerned it will limit his ability to find a job in the future. Faced with a union-backed compensation claim, Camtec Engineering admitted liability and settled the claim out of court for £13,500. Terry Keefe, regional co-ordinating officer from Unite, commented: 'Our member has been exposed to irritants that caused this painful condition through no fault of his own. Protective equipment, in this case gloves, avoid this type of condition from developing but the employer failed to even do that.'

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