Occupational skin Occupational skin diseases and dermal diseases and dermal exposure: A policy and exposure: A policy and practice overviewpractice overview

Occupational skin diseases and dermal exposure

Occupational skin diseases are among the most important emerging risks

They are most common – after MSDs occupational diseases

Examples of sectors and occupations at risk – in Appendix I

National polices and practices related to dermal exposure and skin diseases – in Appendix II

Recognition of occupational skin diseases

European list of occupational diseases – Commission’s Recommendation 2003/670/EC of 19 September 2003 includes a schedule of diseases recognised as occupational in origin

Member States determine criteria for recognition of diseases as

occupational - national lists may be more or less comprehensive than the European schedule

EUROSTAT collects statistical information on occupational

diseases, including those affecting skin

Incidence rate of occupational skin diseases (EUROSTAT)

Disease 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 % of

occ. dis.

Inc. rate

% of occ. dis.

Inc. rate

% of occ. dis.

Inc. rate

% of occ. dis.

Inc. rate

% of occ. dis.

Inc. rate

Contact dermatitis 10.90 5.20 10.90 7.40 10.40 7.70 7.80 5.90 6.90 5.50 Contact urticaria 0.25 0.10 0.22 0.10 0.30 0.20 0.20 0.10 0.11 0.10 Skin cancer 0.01 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.00 Total no. of skin diseases 11.20 5.30 11.10 7.50 10.70 7.90 8.00 6.00 7.10 5.60 Total no. of occupational diseases 100.00 47.10 100.00 67.6. 100.00 73.50 100.00 74,90 100.00 78.80

Occupational skin diseases

Resemble other skin disease Localised effects

Irritation/burns/urticaria – acids, bases, solvents Sensitisation/allergy/phototoxicity – latex, PAH Skin cancer – UV, CrVI

Skin infections – fungi, Changed epidermal production – acne – PCB,

dioxins Effects of physical agents – heat, cold, radiation

Systemic effects Blood disorders – leukaemia - benzene

Reported skin problems related to work – by gender and age (EWCS)

% of occupational skin diseases - by gender

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

1995 2000 2005

Men Women

0 2 4 6 8

15-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

>=55

All

% of occupational skin diseases - by age

1995 2000

Incidence rate of occupational skin diseases – by sector (EUROSTAT)

4,1

7,1

31,5

10,4

0,9

9,1

2,6

5,9

1,1

0,3

3

3,5

0,5

5,1

9,5

0,3

5,3

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Agriculture, hunting and forestry

Fishing

Mining and quarrying

Manufacturing

Electricity, gas and water supply

Construction

Wholesale and retail trade

Hotels and restaurants

Transport, storage and communication

Financial intermediation

Real estate and business activities

Public administration and defence

Education

Health and social workOther community, social, personal

service activitiesActivities of households

All NACE branches – Total

Dermal exposure

Legislation applicable – includes numerous Directives related to dangerous substances – chemical, biological, physical risks

No Occupational Exposure Levels Little data related to occupational dermal

exposure RISKOFDERM – project aiming at development of

tools for assessment of dermal exposure CEN/TS15279 – ‘Workplace exposure –

measurement of dermal exposure- principles and methods’

Assessment of the risk of dermal exposure

Risk identification process Importance of occupational/employment history,

including current exposures Medical examination of the skin Inspection of the workplace

Methods of controlling the risk Removal of risk factor- substitution Engineering controls – enclosed systems, automation,

ventilation Organisational measures Information and education Personal protective equipment General housekeeping and personal hygiene

Conclusions

There are differences in national lists of occupational (skin) diseases

Collecting of comparable statistical information related to occurrence of occupational skin diseases is very important for evaluation of the scale of the problem

Lack of occupational exposure standards and validated methods of assessment of skin exposure are some of the main issues in developing risk assessment models

Challenges

Uniform framework for recognition and recording of occupational skin diseases needs to be developed

Validated models for evaluation of exposure through skin are needed

Raising awareness among workers and employers of risks resulting from exposure to chemical, biological and physical hazards is essential to achieve lasting improvement

Occupational skin diseases and dermal exposure: More information available at:

Agency’s information on dangerous substances http://osha.europa.eu/en/topics/ds

Publication: http://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/reports/TE7007049ENC_skin_diseases/view

European Risk Observatory: http://riskobservatory.osha.europa.eu

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work: http://osha.europa.eu/

Thank you for your attention!