All Link-Items on construction

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Raised bricklaying in construction

This sub-chapter is a part of the Agency's "Work-related musculoskeletal disorders: prevention report" and includes the case study that demonstrates successful actions and interventions used to manage and prevent the MSDs risks in construction

Appendix 2

Skin diseases represent more than 7% of all occupational illnesses and are one of the most important emerging risks related to the exposure to chemical, physical and biological risk factors. European Member States have developed and implemented a variety of legislative measures to facilitate recognition and registration of occupational skin diseases, as well as numerous procedures for controlling workers' exposure to risk factors that may affect skin.

Appendix 1

Skin diseases are the second most common work-related health problem in Europe. While the prevalance is highest in the mining and quarrying, manufacturing and construction industries, a large section of workers from other sectors are also affected. In this Appendix, some risk factors found in selected sectors and occupations are presented, together with possible methods of controlling exposure.

Chapter 7: Conclusions, challenges, prospects and recommendations

Skin diseases are one of the most important occupational health problems in the European Union. Issues related to dermal exposure assessment and related to recognition and reporting/recording of skin diseases are main challanges, however progress is being made.

Chapter 6: Methods of preventing eliminating or minimising the risk of dermal exposure

Skin disease, to a large extent, can be prevented by the combination of technical and organisational measures designed to eliminate or minimise exposures of the skin to risk factors. In this chapter, some of these methods are presented, together with national initiatives aiming at reduction of dermal exposure, and therefore, occurrence of skin diseases.

Chapter 5: Diagnosis, measurement and risk assessment of skin diseases and dermal exposure

Precise, early diagnosis of an occupational skin disease is essential for the successful treatment and early return to work but also for controlling the risk at the workplace. The proces of establishing a link between a skin diseases and occupational exposure, and therefore deciding that a diseases is of occupational origin, is complex. In this chapter, the main skin diseases that may result from occupational exposures are presented, together with the most commonly used procedures for identification of the cause of the disease and evaluation of exposure.

Chapter 4: Level of recognition of risks related to dermal exposure

A number of European legislative provisions apply to the dermal exposure to risk factors at the workplace. However, it is very difficult to assess the level of risk due to lack of clear exposure standards.

Chapter 3 - Methods of collecting data on prevalence/risk of skin diseases

Each Member State has developed own system for reporting of occupational diseases, including skin diseases, to a central authority. On the European level, Eurostat is collecting statistical information related to occupational diseases.

Chapter 2 - Level of recognition of (occupational) skin diseases

The European Commission has issued a list of diseases that are scientifically recognised as occupational in origin. Each Member State has developed own criteria for recognition of occupational diseases, including skin diseases.

Chapter 1 - Brief description of skin diseases in occupational health

Skin is the largest organ of the human body. It is subjcted to effects of the environment, resulting in a range of effects, including occupational diseases. In 2005, 7.4% of men and 5.5% of women have reported skin problems. Conact dermatitis is the most common skin occupational skin disease. The highest incidence rates of work-related skin diseases are recorded in mining and quarrying, manufacturing and construction sectors.

Executive summary - Skin diseases and dermal exposure: policy and practice overview

Skin diseases are the second most common work-related health problem in Europe. They represent more than 7% of all occupational illnesses and are one of the most important emerging risks related to the exposure to chemical, physical and biological risk factors. The fact that there is no scientific method to measure the level of the body’s exposures to risks via dermal contact and their physiological consequences, increases the importance of recognising risk factors and developing methods of assessing the level of exposure and controlling it. This report presents an overview of dermal exposures and occupational skin diseases. It also presents the principal policies relating to the recognition and recording of skin diseases, as well as the recognition, assessment and control of dermal exposure to chemical, biological and physical risk factors in the Member States of the European Union.

5.7. Multi-factorial risks related to dangerous substances

Two items - ‘poor control of chemical risks in small and medium enterprises’ and ‘outsourced activities presenting chemical risks (e.g. in cleaning and maintenance activities) performed by subcontracted workers with poor knowledge of dangerous substances’ are strongly seen as emerging - and nine as emerging - such as the higher exposure of migrant workers to dangerous substances, combined exposure to ototoxic substances and noise" - out of the twelve listed in this part of the survey.

5.6. Chemical risks specific to work processes and workplaces

Dangerous substance in the waste treatment industry was considered as strongly emerging, and as one of the most hazardous sectors in general. 14 further items out of the 23 listed in this part of the survey were agreed as emerging risks. It is interesting to note that none of these items are in the chemical industry or in industries where chemicals are used intentionally in the work process (except the two items linked to cleaning work and nursing, where the use of the chemicals in question is necessary for proper performance of the work), but rather where dangerous substances are incidental products of the work.

5.5. Substances and mixtures with unknown or newly recognised health effects

Six out of the 10 items related to substances and mixtures with unknown or newly recognised adverse health effects were rated as ‘strongly emerging’ by the experts. ‘Complex mixtures’ is the item agreed as the emerging risk with the highest score in this part of the survey. Considering each substance independently may lead to an underestimation of the real risks to workers.

5.3. Risks of allergies and sensitisation

Globally, risks of allergies and sensitisation are an important concern; 15 of the 17 items mentioned in the survey were rated as emerging by the experts.

5.2. Risks due to carcinogenic mutagenic and reprotoxic substances_CMRs

Nine of 16 of the risks due to carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic (CMR) substances are agreed as emerging risks.

5.1. Particles dusts and aerosols

Among the 15 items related to particles, dusts and aerosols mentioned by the respondents, two are strongly agreed as emerging risks and eight as emerging.

5. Complete results of the survey

In the following sections, all items mentioned by the respondents in the questionnaires are listed, together with the mean value of the respondent's ratings and the standard deviations. The items are classified in the following categories: particles, dust and aerosols; carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic substances; risks of allergies and sensitisation; flammable and explosive substances; substances and mixtures with unknown or newly recognised health effects; chemical risks specific to work processes and workplaces; and multi-factorial risks related to dangerous substances.

4.2.4 Dermal exposure leading to skin diseases

Dermal exposure is a major route of occupational exposure to dangerous substances. Skin disorders are the second most common occupational diseases in the EU, and chemicals are responsible for 80-90% of these. However, there is no validated scientific method to assess dermal exposure to dangerous substances, and no ‘dermal’ occupational exposure limits.

4.2.3. Man-made mineral fibres

Man-made mineral fibres (MMMFs) are continuously evolving materials. Inhalation of fibrous structures increases inflammatory, cytotoxic and carcinogenic potential – the longer and thinner the fibres, the more dangerous they are. Specific dimensions of MMMFs are thought to have a biological activity but need to be evaluated in epidemiologic studies. Standard air sampling methods are also needed to allow precise measurement of fibre size. While some MMMFs could be classified in the EU classification (e.g. aluminium silicate wool/refractory ceramic fibres and type E special purpose glass fibres as carcinogenic category 2), there is a need to gather information on the toxicity of unclassified MMMFs.