SAFETY BRIEFING REPORT
Location: Corporate Office
Time:
08:00hrs
Duration: 10 Minutes
Date:
20th May, 2015
Attendance is attached.
PURPOSE OF THE SAFETY BRIEF
1. To create a safety culture among the work force.
2. To create more awareness among the work force on the need to make safety a WAY OF LIFE.
SAFETY TOPIC: BODY ODOUR
Body odour, or B.O., bromhidrosis, osmidrosis and ozochrotia, is a perceived unpleasant smell our bodies can give off when
bacteria that live on the skin break down sweat into acids - some say it is the smell of bacteria growing on the body, but it really is the
result of bacteria breaking down protein into certain acids.
Body odour usually becomes evident if measures are not taken when a human reaches puberty- 14-16 years of age in females and 15-17
years of age in males. People who are obese, those who regularly eat spicy foods, as well as individuals with certain medical conditions,
such as diabetes, are more susceptible to having body odour.
People who sweat too much - those with hyperhidrosis- may also be susceptible to body odour, however, often the salt level of their
sweat is too high for the bacteria to break down - it depends where the excess sweating is occurring and which type of sweat glands are
involved.
Body odour is most likely to occur in our feet, groin, armpits, genitals, pubic hair and other hair, belly button, anus, behind the ears, and
to some (lesser) extent on the rest of our skin.
What are the treatment options for body odour?

Armpits - a large concentration of apocrine glands exist in the armpits, making that area susceptible to rapid development of
body odour.
o
Keep the armpits clean - wash them regularly using anti-bacterial soap, and the number of bacteria will be kept low,
resulting in less body odour.
o
Hair under the armpits slows down the evaporation of sweat, giving the bacteria more time to break it down into
smelly substances; shaving the armpits regularly has been found to help body odour control in that area.
o
Deodorant or antiperspirant - deodorants make the skin more acidic, making the environment more difficult for
bacteria to thrive. An antiperspirant blocks the sweating action of the glands, resulting in less sweating.
o
Botulinum toxin - The toxin works by blocking signals from your brain to the sweat glands, reducing the amount of
sweat produced. The procedure takes 30-45 minutes, and the effects of botulinum toxin usually last for between two
and eight months. After this time, further treatment will be needed.

Wash daily with warm water - have a shower or bath at least once a day. Remember that warm water helps kill off bacteria
that are present on your skin. If the weather is exceptionally hot, consider bathing more often than once a day.

Clothing - natural fibers allow your skin to breathe, resulting in better evaporation of sweat. Natural-made fibers include wool,
silk or cotton.

Spicy foods - curry, garlic and some other spicy (piquant) foods have the potential to make some people's sweat more
pungent. Some experts believe a diet high in red meat may also raise the risk of developing more rapid body odour.

Aluminum chloride - this substance is usually the main active ingredient in antiperspirants. If your body does not respond to
the home remedies mentioned above, talk to a pharmacist or your doctor about a suitable product containing aluminum
chloride. Follow the instructions given to you carefully.

Treatment for smelly feet (bromodosis) - smelly feet are less of a problem socially than underarm B.O. because the
unpleasant odour is usually contained by shoes and socks. However, the smell may become obvious if the person with smelly
feet visits a home where shoes are taken off before entering, as is the custom in various countries and homes. The following
steps may help control foot odour:
o
Wash your feet in warm water regularly - this means at least once a day. Remember that warm water is better at
killing off bacteria than cold water. Tea-tree oil, when added to water, helps kill off bacteria (do not apply tea-tree oil
directly to skin). Make sure you dry your feet thoroughly afterwards, including in between your toes.
o
Socks - they must allow the sweat to evaporate. The best socks are those made of a combination of man-made
fibers and wool. Wear a clean pair of socks each day.
o
Shoes - if you wear trainers or shoes with plastic linings make sure it is not for long. A leather lining is better for
sweat evaporation. If you have a problem with sweaty feet, do not wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row shoes do not completely dry overnight.
o
Pumice stone - bacteria thrive on dead skin. If the soles of your feet have patches of dead skin remove them with a
pumice stone.
o
Deodorants and antiperspirants - ask your pharmacist for special foot deodorants and antiperspirants. If you have
athlete's foot you should not use deodorants or antiperspirants - treat the fungal infection first with appropriate
medication.
o
Go around barefoot - whenever you can walk around barefoot, or at least slip out of your shoes regularly.
Body odour and medical conditions
Some medical conditions can cause your sweat to smell differently.
For example, a fruity smell can sometimes be a sign of diabetes, while a bleach-like smell may indicate liver or kidney disease. See your
General Practitioner if you notice a change in your body odour.
Prepared & Presented By
Damilola Oyekanmi
For HSE Officer
Approved By
Ugochi Amugo
For: QHSEM