How to create a skin protection plan under TRGS 401
A skin protection plan defines which products are applied to the hands before, during and after work. This guide explains the three building blocks - protection, cleansing and care - how to choose products by hazard, and how to post the plan under TRGS 401.
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What is a skin protection plan and when is it required?
A skin protection plan is a workplace-specific instruction that sets out which protection, cleansing and care products to use, when and how. It complements the risk assessment and becomes necessary as soon as employees handle skin-hazardous substances or perform wet work.
The legal basis in Germany is TRGS 401 (hazards from skin contact) together with the Hazardous Substances Ordinance. The employer must provide suitable products and set out their use in writing. Wet work of four hours or more per shift, or frequent contact with cleaners, oils and solvents, triggers the requirement.
- Wet work of 4 hours or more per shift, or frequent hand washing.
- Handling cutting fluids, oils, adhesives, soldering and cleaning agents.
- Wearing liquid-tight gloves for long periods (occlusion).
- Contact with solvents, acids, alkalis or cement dust.
How are protection, cleansing and care structured?
The plan follows three coordinated steps: protection before work, gentle cleansing after work, and regenerating care during breaks and after the shift. Each step needs a product matched to the specific hazard.
Correct matching is key: water-based exposure (wet work, aqueous cleaners) calls for an oil-rich protective product, while water-insoluble exposure (oils, paints, greases) calls for a film-forming, water-soluble product. Swap the order or the product and the protection is lost.
How do you choose the right products?
Selection follows the specific hazard identified in the risk assessment. What matters is the type of exposure, skin compatibility and avoiding abrasives or solvents in cleansing wherever possible.
- Protection: oil-rich cream for wet work, film-forming product against oils and paints.
- Cleansing: mild wash lotion; use scrubbing particles only for heavy, otherwise unremovable soiling.
- Care: re-fatting lotion or cream with a high lipid content, fragrance-free for sensitive skin.
- Compatibility: prefer fragrance- and dye-free products and avoid known allergens.
- Gloves do not replace skin protection - the plan combines both.
How is the skin protection plan posted?
The plan is posted clearly where hands are washed and protected - typically at the wash station and next to the dispensers. For each work area it names the specific product with its name and the time of application.
Update the poster whenever a hazardous substance, a product or the work procedure changes. An outdated plan listing products no longer in use loses both its protective effect and its legal value.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between skin protection and skin care?
Skin protection goes on clean skin before work and forms a barrier against the exposure. Skin care is applied after work and restores lipids and moisture for regeneration. Both are separate steps in the plan.
When is a skin protection plan required?
As soon as the risk assessment under TRGS 401 identifies a skin hazard - for example wet work of four hours or more per day, prolonged glove wearing, or handling oils, cleaners and solvents - the employer must provide a plan.
Where must the plan be displayed?
Clearly at the point of use, meaning the wash station and the dispensers. It names the specific protection, cleansing and care products for each area along with the time of application.
Do protective gloves replace skin protection?
No. Gloves and skin protection products complement each other. Under liquid-tight gloves, sweat creates a moist climate (occlusion) that additionally stresses the skin, so care and limited wear times remain important.
Ready to implement a skin protection plan?
We supply coordinated products for protection, cleansing and care, plus dispenser systems and a sample poster under TRGS 401.
Under TRGS 401
Range and sample poster follow the technical rule.
Three steps
Protection, cleansing and care cleanly coordinated.
Skin-friendly
Fragrance- and dye-free variants available.
Expert advice
We help you select products and build the plan.