The leaflet outlines the risk assessment process, the precautions and policies that an employer should undertake in order to protect those at possible risk. It also tells employees what they should do if they feel that workplace latex exposure safeguards are inadequate or absent, or if they consider that their health is being adversely affected. To Editors Natural latex is produced by the Hevea brasiliensis tree. The cloudy liquid latex is then tapped and collected. A complex manufacturing process involving the addition of chemicals leads to the finished product.
Rubber consists of a combination of natural proteins and added chemicals.
Both the extractable latex proteins and the chemical additives have been linked to allergic reactions to latex gloves and other products. Several kinds of synthetic rubber are incorrectly referred to as latex. Equipment made from these synthetic products may also cause an allergic response in those sensitised to the chemicals used in their manufacture. They have to decide how to prevent, or put in place, any necessary precautions to adequately control any risks there might be. They must also keep a record of any such incidents.