Occupational Health : Skin Surveillance

Occupational Skin Disease
An occupational skin disease is primarily caused by occupation. This may be as a result of a workplace exposure to a:

• Physical Agent
• Chemical Agent
• Biological Agent
• Mechanical force that has been the cause or played a major role in the development of the disease

Work related dermatitis (eczema) is one of the major occupational skin diseases and is caused by coming into contact with a hazardous agent e.g. chemical.

Skin comes into contact with chemicals by:

• Immersing hands into chemicals
• Direct handling of contaminated work pieces
• Contact with contaminated work benches, tools, clothing and containers
• Splashing – when liquid or powdery chemicals are mixed or handled
• Airborne deposits e.g. cement dust

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