Occupational Medicine 51:12-24 (2001)
Copyright © 2001 Society of Occupational Medicine
Original Papers |
Self-reported skin problems among physical processors in the chemical industry in Great Britain
Employment Medical Advisory Service, Health and Safety Executive (North West), Quay House, Quay Street, Manchester M3 3JB;
Epidemiology and Medical Statistics Unit, Health Sciences Division, Health and Safety Executive, Magdalen House, Stanley Precinct, Bootle, Merseyside L20 3QZ;
Operational Strategy Unit, Chemical & Hazardous Installations Division, Health and Safety Executive, St Anne's House, University Road, Stanley Precinct, Bootle, Liverpool L20 3RA, UK
Abstract
Contact dermatitis is common in the chemical industry. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of self-reported skin problems in employees involved in the drying, blending, milling, grinding and filling/bagging end of chemical manufacture in small- to medium-sized contract manufacturing/processing chemical companies in Great Britain. There were several secondary aims. Twenty-three per cent of the employees interviewed reported having had a skin problem in the previous 12 months. Of those reporting problems, 46% were always/nearly always involved in blending and 56% were always/nearly always involved in filling and bagging. These same processes were also more commonly associated with continuous or recurring skin problems. Seventy-five per cent reported a problem involving the upper limbs; most had more than one body area affected. Forty-three per cent had consulted a doctor (67% their general practitioner) and 9% took time off work as a result of their skin condition. Skin problems seemed to peak (34% employees) in those who had spent between 1 and 2 years in their current job. Solvents, known skin irritants, were the most frequent, single category of chemicals encountered in the study. Over 92% had been told how to avoid skin problems; 85% reported that they always/almost always wore protective clothing. Despite these measures, a significant number had reported having had a skin problem related to their work in the previous 12 months. Particular attention to control measures based on risk assessment is recommended for these physical processors in the chemical industry. Further research is also recommended into the whole area of personal protective clothing and the individual worker's perception of risks to health in the workplace.
Keywords Chemical employees; COSHH; health and safety; personal protective clothing; physical processes; skin problem; small-medium sized companies