The ACT Skin Care Program:  Integrating Industrial Hand Cleaners, Heavy Duty Hand Soaps, and Protectants

Skin diseases account for a large proportion of all occupational illness suffered in the workplace.

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health estimates the total annual costs (lost workdays and lost productivity) associated with occupational skin diseases at $1 billion annually; many workplace skin problems go unreported making the incidence rate of skin disease potentially much higher.

Answering the challenge of skin disease in the workplace, the most prevalent of which is Contact dermatitis or Eczema, requires a multi-faceted approach.  Regular examination of the skin for early signs of irritation to allow for quick treatment and indication of possible lapses in preventative measures employed in the workplace should be accompanied by a skin care regimen that includes:

Avoiding contact with materials that cause dermatitis by substituting hazardous workplace materials with more user-friendly alternatives and using task-appropriate gloves or applying skin protectant where use of gloves is not practical;

Cleaning using products that are both appropriate to the function required (from heavy duty hand soaps and industrial hand cleaners to formulations designed for removal of paint or other specific substances) and skin-compatible such that harsh moisture-stripping ingredients are avoided;

Treating the skin through diligent conditioning to ensure that moisture is restored to the skin following extended exposure to workplace elements.

Hand Sanitizers

Just as the skin can be target of disease, so too can it become a vessel for the transport and transmission of disease, from the common cold and the flu to gastrointestinal disorders, such as infectious diarrhea. Inadequate hand hygiene also contributes to food-related illnesses, such as salmonella and E. coli infection.

Of increasing concern is the bacterial infection Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, (also known as Staph Infection or “MRSA”), which is resistant to some of the most powerful antibiotics and if misdiagnosed or left untreated can be fatal.  MRSA can pass from person-to-person through the most casual contact, and outbreaks, once found only in hospital environments, have increasingly been reported in places such as locker rooms and nursing homes.

Clean hands cannot be determined on sight and while basic hand cleaners can remove certain of the harmful bacteria which cause illnesses, they are not as comprehensive as is necessary.   Following upon studies which have shown antibacterial hand soap to be little more effective than use of simple soap and water, susceptible to contamination, and its overuse having contributed to resistant pathogens such as MRSA, we have phased antibacterial soaps from our product line, and instead feature hand sanitizer specifically formulated to kill MRSA, along with other 99 % of other bacteria and viruses which cause disease.

Foaming Hand Soap and Foaming Soap Hand Wash Dispensers

Our line of foaming hand soap with accompanying foaming soap dispensers is based on the the philosophy that the best way to encourage hand washing is to make it as appealing as possible.

From sanitizer to food handling, the luxury of pre-lathered moisturizing soap has been adapted to a range of popular applications.

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The ACT Skin Care Program

Avoidance

Shield:  Coats skin with an invisible barrier to block extended exposure to solvents, paint, resins, chemicals, fiberglass fibers, epoxy, ink, dye, and other forms of dirt and grime.   Combines  maximum protection with ingredients that allow skin to flex and breathe such that manual dexterity is not compromised.  Contains moisturizing agents Aloe Vera and Lanolin to condition skin and keep hands from drying and cracking.  Hypo-allergenic formulation can be used under gloves to help protect against latex sensitivity.  Pleasant fragrance and convenient application.

Travabon:  Forms an invisible shield to help protect skin exposed to both harsh workplace substances such as cement, lime and fertilizers, and water-based materials such as water-mixed oils, cooling lubricants, dyestuff solutions, acids, alkalis, salts and disinfectants.   Compatible for use with Latex, Nitril and Neoprene gloves. Odorless, colorless, silicone-free formulation ideal for use in restaurant and food processing industries.

Cleaning

Kresto:  Heavy duty hand soap cleaner is designed to clean the toughest soils including grease, oils, soot and carbon black.  Employs the patented ingredient, Astopon,^® an all-natural formulation of bio-degradeable walnut shell scrubbers that combine maximum cleaning effectiveness with skin compatibility.

Kresto Kwik Wipes:   Moistened, textured towels that contain the Kresto cleaning formulation for removing tough dirt, grease and grime from the hands.  Convenient to use at work stations and ideal for maintenance fleets or anyplace where a sink is not available.  Also ideal for use on tools and other surfaces.

Solopol:   Hand cleaner removes common industrial dirt such as grease, oil, mineral oil, lubricating oil, graphite and metal dust.  Outstanding skin compatibility achieved by the use of skin compatible surfactants and the patented skin agent Eucornol® which helps to prevent the occurrence of skin irritation.  Less concentrated than Kresto, which is designed for heavy-duty applications, but contains no solvent.  Cleaning power is supplied by Astopon,^® the natural scrubber made from bio-degradable walnut shell powder.

Estesol:  Green Seal Certified soap-free skin cleanser designed for removal of light soils.  Contains a mild surfactant made up of sugar tensides to enhance skin compatibility.  Ideal for everyday use – pleasant fragrance and feel with excellent lathering properties encourages consistent hand washing, while economical formulation of 2000 washings per bottle ensures cost savings.

Pink Liquid Hand Soap:  A mild, creamy, pink hand soap and lotion enriched with Lanolin Derivatives and other skin emollients.  Creates thick luxurious suds that float away dirt and grime, leaving hands clean, fresh and smooth. Flows easily in dispensers. Equally effective in hard or soft water.

Cupran:  A water-soluble cleaner that is the ideal replacement for the use of thinners and other technical solvents to remove paint from hands.  Also cleans lacquers, stains, adhesives, tar and asphalt stains.  Formulation includes Astopon,^® the natural scrubber made from bio-degradable walnut shell powder.

Formula 7-82 Waterless Hand Cleaner:  Handy aerosol dispenses a pleasantly-scented sanitary foam hand cleaner that removes dirt, ink, paint, grease, carbon, and deposits from hands and skin without the need for water.  Contains Lanolin and Aloe Vera to restore moisture to dried out skin.

Treatment

Stokolan:  Silicone-free moisturizing cream both treats dry, rough and even cracked skin caused by occupational skin irritation, frequent washing or exposure to harsh climates and with regular use prevents the onset of such ailments by conditioning and promoting the natural regeneration of the skin.  Spreads easily and works quickly into the skin leaving no residual “greasy” feeling – a moisturizer that will actually appeal to male workers.  Ideal for use in any industrial setting, as well as many other workplace settings – particularly popular in office environments.

Hand Sanitizers

Refresh Foaming Sanitizer: Foaming instant hand sanitizer kills common germs and bacteria without any water or wiping.    Bactericidal level efficacy is not compromised by ingredients which leave skin feeling soft and smooth.  Delivers thick, rich foam without utilizing fluorinated chemicals, which can be damaging to the environment.

% Reduction after 15 seconds

Acinetobacter baumannii (ATCC 19606) 99.999%

Staphylococcus aureus MRSA (ATCC 33592) 99.997%

Enterococcus faecalis    99.998%

Stphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12228) 99.999%

Salmonella typhimurium (ATCC 13311) 99.999%

Serratia marcescens (ATCC 14756)  99.999%

Enterobacter aerogenes (ATCC 13048) 99.999%

Proteus mirabilis (LMG 2954)  99.999%

Candida albicans    99.998%

Pseudomonas aeruginosa   99.999%

Clostridium difficile (ATCC 9689)    99.97%

Refresh Foam Care Dispenser:  Perhaps the most attractive amongst hand sanitizer and hand soap dispensers – SmartSensor technology that detects a user’s hand and quickly recovers to dispense again. Locking mechanism to deter theft and vandalism. Indicator lights alert when battery or refill change is needed.

Sani-Hands:  An isopropyl alcohol based, viscous hand sanitizer containing moisturizers and skin conditioners. Reduces the risk of cross- contamination by killing bacteria and micro-organisms.  Active Ingredient:  Isopropyl Alcohol 70%

Foaming Hand Soap and Foaming Soap Hand Wash Dispensers

Moisturizing Foam Refresh:  Designed for everyday, high volume use in areas such as restrooms.   Features rich, luxurious lather, fresh fragrance, and enhanced moisturizing ingredients not found in most hand soaps.    Green Seal Certified.™  Hygeni-Lok system ensure sealed refills provide a fresh new pump with every change-out.

Food Handlers Foam Refresh:  Foaming hand wash meets all standards for E2 ratings; approval is registered with the NSF for use before handling food.  Rich, luxurious lather and fresh fragrance encourages hand washing.  Hygeni-Lok system ensure sealed refills provide a fresh new pump with every change-out.

Hair/Body Foam Refresh:  Designed for use in showers, commonly installed places such as locker rooms, athletic clubs, hotels, and motels.    Rich, luxurious lather, and fresh fragrance combined with conditioners for the hair.  Hygeni-Lok system ensure sealed refills provide a fresh new pump with every change-out.

Refresh Foam Soap Dispenser:  Attractive plastic, hands-free dispenser featuring SmartSensor technology that detects a user’s hand and quickly recovers to dispense again. Locking mechanism to deter theft and vandalism. Indicator lights alert when battery or refill change is needed