Occupational skin diseases are the second-most common type of occupational disease. NIOSH estimates that more workers are potentially exposed to chemicals that can be absorbed through their skin. Workers at risk of occupational skin diseases include those in construction, health care, agriculture, food service, auto repair and cosmetology. Occupational skin diseases are skin diseases caused by exposure to hazardous agents or substances present at workplace.
Examples of occupational skin diseases are: (Refer table)
Occupational Skin Diseases | Features | Common Hazardous Agent |
Occupational contact dermatitis |
|
Dyes, rubber, formaldehyde, flour, pesticide, formaldehyde, solvents, cement, detergent, diesel, paraffin, thinner |
Occupational skin cancer |
|
Ultraviolet light exposure, ionising radiation, soot, tar, mineral oils |
Occupational acne |
|
Oil, grease |
Occupational leucoderma (vitiligo) |
|
Phenols, hydroquinone, dimethyl sulfate |
Prevention:
How to prevent occupational skin disease?
Investigation:
How occupational skin disease is confirmed?
Disease normally improves with absence from work and recur on returning to work.
Treatment:
What is the treatment for occupational skin disease?
Treatment depends on:
The most important measure to prevent recurrence of disease is to avoid further exposure to the hazardous agent, you might also be given certain medication to relieve the symptoms. In cancer cases, surgery to remove the skin cancer need to be done.
Notification:
According to Occupational Safety and Health (Notification of Accident, Dangerous Occurrence, Poisoning and Occupational Diseases) Regulation 2004, it is the responsibilities of :
To notify occupational diseases to Department of Occupational Safety and Health.
prepared by:
Dr. Siti Noor Azlidah Ali
Occupational Health Doctor (OHD)
Date of Input: 09/07/2019 | Updated: 09/07/2019 | izzatussofia
Universiti Putra Malaysia
43400 Serdang
Selangor Darul Ehsan.