Prevention of hand eczema in the metal-working industry: risk awareness and behaviour of metal worker apprentices.

BACKGROUND

In the metal-working industry, occupational hand eczema is very common and often due to contact with cutting fluids. Since it can be avoided by adequate protective measures, prevention plays an important role. However, the effectiveness of prevention depends heavily on the employees' awareness of this health risk.

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to collect information on the attitude of metal worker apprentices towards the risk of occupational skin disorders and skin protection since it is believed that their attitude at the beginning of the education will guide their future risk behaviour.

METHODS

By means of a questionnaire, 79 metal worker apprentices were interviewed about their awareness of dermal risk factors and their risk behaviour at work.

RESULTS

The apprentices are very badly informed about skin diseases and skin care. Most of them are not concerned about developing occupational skin problems, and they declared having obtained very little information about this subject.

CONCLUSION

Considering this finding, it seems urgent to intensify health and safety education already at the beginning of the apprenticeship.