Employment and diabetes: a survey of the prevalence of diabetic workers known by occupational physicians, and the restrictions placed on diabetic workers in employment.

A postal survey of occupational physicians identified a prevalence of known diabetes among workers of 7.5 per 1000. The prevalence of insulin-treated diabetes was 2.6 per 1000 and of other diabetes was 4.9 per 1000. The figure for insulin-treated diabetes is lower than expected from population studies. The restrictions placed on diabetic workers in employment include shift-work, heights, dangerous areas, driving, civil aviation, emergency teams, offshore oil work, and work overseas. Certain companies within the chemical, oil, steel, confectionery, and drinks industries had lower than expected numbers of diabetic workers and merit further detailed study.