FACTS

1. Skin diseases and injuries come in several forms. The most common problems are skin rashes and irritation. These are often known as dermatitis. You can get it from contact (touching something) or allergies.

2. Contact dermatitis occurs from frequent contact with substances, such as:

• Water, soap, chemicals, acids, oils/greases, heavy metals

3. Over time, the repeated contact removes natural oils from your skin. This can cause your skin to crack and dry out. The substances can block your skin pores and cause acne or inflammation.

4. Small amounts of certain substances may cause allergic dermatitis.

• Glues or adhesives
• Epoxies
• Textile dyes or resins
• Chemicals
• Latex

5. You can get cuts, scrapes, or bruises at the workplace. Tools, machines, and instruments can be the cause. Repeated contact or friction also can cause injuries. These may develop into worse problems, especially if infected.

STATS

• Skin exposure to chemicals is one of the biggest problems from an occupational safety perspective.
• According to CCOHS skin diseases are 15-20% more reported than any other illness. Skin injuries can disable or even permanently scar the worker.
• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), skin disorders are reported at a rate of 3.4 injuries per 10,000 workers. Respiratory illnesses were reported at a rate of 1.9 per 10,000 workers, which is considerably lower than the rate of skin diseases.
• Occupational Skin Disorders for work injuries rank second to musculoskeletal disorders.  They represent greater than 45 % of occupational illnesses.
• A main risk factor for occupational hand dermatitis and contact dermatitis makes up 80 % of all occupational skin disorders.
• The prevalence of occupational contact dermatitis is estimated to be between 6.7% and 10.6% and can lead to missed work and job loss.
• Occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) accounts for 70% to 90% of all skin disorders in the workplace.