Occupational Medicine Advance Access originally published online on March 17, 2009
Occupational Medicine 2009 59(7):466-471; doi:10.1093/occmed/kqp034
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Occupational dermatoses in restaurant, catering and fast-food outlets in Singapore
1 OSH Specialist Department, Occupational Safety and Health Division, Ministry of Manpower, 18 Havelock Road, Singapore 059764
2 National Skin Centre, 1 Mandalay Road, Singapore 308205
3 Department of Community, Occupational and Family Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, MD3, National University of Singapore, 16 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597
Background The restaurant industry is a rapidly growing sector in Singapore and workers in this industry are trained in culinary skills but not on recognition of safety and health hazards and their control measures. Anecdotal clinical evidence has suggested an increased prevalence of occupational dermatoses among restaurant workers.
Aims To determine the prevalence and risk factors for contact dermatitis and burns among restaurant, catering and fast-food outlet (FFO) staff.
Methods Workers were interviewed and then clinical examination and patch and/or prick tests were conducted in selected individuals.
Results In total, 335 of 457 workers (73% response) were interviewed and 65 (19%) had occupational dermatitis or burns and were examined. Of these, contact dermatitis was the commonest diagnosis, with a 12-month period prevalence of 10% (35 workers) and 3-month period prevalence of 8% (26 workers). All 35 workers had irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) and there were no cases of allergic contact dermatitis. The adjusted prevalence rate ratios of risk factors for ICD were 2.78 (95% CI 1.36–5.72) for frequent hand washing >20 times per day, 3.87 (95% CI 1.89–7.93) for atopy and 2.57 (95% CI 1.21–5.47) for contact with squid. The 3-month period prevalence for burns was 6% (20 workers). Ten workers had other occupational dermatoses such as work-related calluses, paronychia, heat rash and allergic contact urticaria to prawn and lobster.
Conclusions ICD and burns are common occupational skin disorders among restaurant, catering and FFO workers.
Keywords Burns; contact dermatitis; restaurant industry
Correspondence to: Sylvia Teo, OSH Specialist Department, Occupational Safety and Health Division, Ministry of Manpower, 18 Havelock Road, Singapore 059764. Tel: +65 6876 5307; fax: +65 6876 5303; e-mail: sylvia_teo{at}mom.gov.sg