What kinds of workplace hazards can cause occupational skin diseases and injuries?
There are many materials or conditions found in the workplace that can cause occupational skin diseases and injuries. • Mechanical work that involves friction, pressure and other forms of force (for workers using pneumatic riveters, chippers, drills and hammers) can cause calluses, blisters, nerve damage, cuts, etc. • Chemicals are a major source of occupational skin diseases. Hundreds of new chemicals are introduced into workplaces each year and some of them can cause skin irritations and allergic skin reactions. Some chemicals, such as strong acids and alkalis, will cause skin injuries almost immediately. Others, like diluted acids and alkalis, various solvents and soluble cutting fluids, will cause an effect only after you have been exposed to the chemical for several days. Some chemicals can damage your skin, making it red, blistered, itchy or flaky. This condition is called dermatitis. Some of the many chemicals that cause dermatitis are: • strong acids (such as sulphuric acid); •
