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

1. Occupational skin diseases and dermal exposure: A policy and practice overview

2. 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

3. 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

4. Incidence rate of occupational skin diseases (EUROSTAT)

5. 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

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

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

8. 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’

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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!