Report - Skin diseases and dermal exposure: policy and practice overview

Chapters in this Publication

foreword

Executive summary - Skin diseases and dermal exposure: policy and practice overview

Skin diseases are the second most common work-related health problem in Europe. They represent more than 7% of all occupational illnesses and are one of the most important emerging risks related to the exposure to chemical, physical and biological risk factors. The fact that there is no scientific method to measure the level of the body’s exposures to risks via dermal contact and their physiological consequences, increases the importance of recognising risk factors and developing methods of assessing the level of exposure and controlling it. This report presents an overview of dermal exposures and occupational skin diseases. It also presents the principal policies relating to the recognition and recording of skin diseases, as well as the recognition, assessment and control of dermal exposure to chemical, biological and physical risk factors in the Member States of the European Union. Read more...

Chapter 1 - Brief description of skin diseases in occupational health

Skin is the largest organ of the human body. It is subjcted to effects of the environment, resulting in a range of effects, including occupational diseases. In 2005, 7.4% of men and 5.5% of women have reported skin problems. Conact dermatitis is the most common skin occupational skin disease. The highest incidence rates of work-related skin diseases are recorded in mining and quarrying, manufacturing and construction sectors. Read more...

Chapter 2 - Level of recognition of (occupational) skin diseases

The European Commission has issued a list of diseases that are scientifically recognised as occupational in origin. Each Member State has developed own criteria for recognition of occupational diseases, including skin diseases. Read more...

Chapter 3 - Methods of collecting data on prevalence/risk of skin diseases

Each Member State has developed own system for reporting of occupational diseases, including skin diseases, to a central authority. On the European level, Eurostat is collecting statistical information related to occupational diseases. Read more...

Chapter 4: Level of recognition of risks related to dermal exposure

A number of European legislative provisions apply to the dermal exposure to risk factors at the workplace. However, it is very difficult to assess the level of risk due to lack of clear exposure standards. Read more...

Chapter 5: Diagnosis, measurement and risk assessment of skin diseases and dermal exposure

Precise, early diagnosis of an occupational skin disease is essential for the successful treatment and early return to work but also for controlling the risk at the workplace. The proces of establishing a link between a skin diseases and occupational exposure, and therefore deciding that a diseases is of occupational origin, is complex. In this chapter, the main skin diseases that may result from occupational exposures are presented, together with the most commonly used procedures for identification of the cause of the disease and evaluation of exposure. Read more...

Chapter 6: Methods of preventing eliminating or minimising the risk of dermal exposure

Skin disease, to a large extent, can be prevented by the combination of technical and organisational measures designed to eliminate or minimise exposures of the skin to risk factors. In this chapter, some of these methods are presented, together with national initiatives aiming at reduction of dermal exposure, and therefore, occurrence of skin diseases. Read more...

Chapter 7: Conclusions, challenges, prospects and recommendations

Skin diseases are one of the most important occupational health problems in the European Union. Issues related to dermal exposure assessment and related to recognition and reporting/recording of skin diseases are main challanges, however progress is being made. Read more...

Chapter 8: Glossary of terms used in the report

Chapter 9: References

Chapter 10: List of EU legislation mentioned

Appendix 1

Skin diseases are the second most common work-related health problem in Europe. While the prevalance is highest in the mining and quarrying, manufacturing and construction industries, a large section of workers from other sectors are also affected. In this Appendix, some risk factors found in selected sectors and occupations are presented, together with possible methods of controlling exposure. Read more...

Appendix 2

Skin diseases represent more than 7% of all occupational illnesses and are one of the most important emerging risks related to the exposure to chemical, physical and biological risk factors. European Member States have developed and implemented a variety of legislative measures to facilitate recognition and registration of occupational skin diseases, as well as numerous procedures for controlling workers' exposure to risk factors that may affect skin. Read more...