Top

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

Published in:

01-08-2016 | Original Article

Occupational risk factors for skin cancer and the availability of sun protection measures at German outdoor workplaces

Authors: Linda Ruppert, Robert Ofenloch, Christian Surber, Thomas Diepgen

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 6/2016

Abstract

Purpose

Germany implemented a new occupational disease “squamous cell carcinoma or multiple actinic keratosis due to natural UV radiation (UVR)” into the German ordinance on occupational diseases. Since primary prevention is very important, the aim of this study was to assess the provision of sun protection measures by the employers in vocational school students for outdoor professions.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study on the availability of sun protection measures at German workplaces and the risk of occupational sunburn by surveying 245 vocational school students working in outdoor occupations.

Results

More than 40 % of the students did not receive any sun protection measures by their employer, and 34.5 % of the students got sunburned during work. Working in the shade was a protective factor for occupational sunburn but was merely available for 23.7 % of the outdoor workers.

Conclusion

Our study reveals a strong need for effective sun protection measures, including both administrative controls like education and personal protection measures at German outdoor workplaces.

Armstrong BK, Kricker A (2001) The epidemiology of UV induced skin cancer. J Photochem Photobiol, B 63(1–3):8–18CrossRef

Bauer A, Diepgen TL, Schmitt J (2011) Is occupational solar ultraviolet irradiation a relevant risk factor for basal cell carcinoma? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the epidemiological literature. Br J Dermatol 165(3):612–625

Bauer A, Ronsch H, Hault K, Puschel A, Knuschke P, Beissert S (2014) Sun exposure: perceptions and behaviours in outdoor workers. Br J Dermatol 171(6):1570–1572CrossRef

Beral V, Robinson N (1981) The relationship of malignant melanoma, basal and squamous skin cancers to indoor and outdoor work. Br J Cancer 44(6):886–891CrossRef

BMAS B. f. A. u. S (2013) Wissenschaftliche Begründung für die Berufskrankheit “Plattenepithelkarzinome oder multiple Keratosen der Haut durch natürliche UV-Strahlung”. Gemeinsames Ministerialblatt 35:671–693

Bundesrat (2014). Verordnung der Bundesregierung, Dritte Verordnung der Änderung der Berufskrankheiten-Verordnung. Drucksache 534/14. B. Deutschland, Berlin

Bundesrepublik Deutschland B (1996) Gesetz über die Durchführung von Maßnahmen des Arbeitsschutzes zur Verbesserung der Sicherheit und des Gesundheitsschutzes der Beschäftigten bei der Arbeit (Arbeitsschutzgesetz - ArbSchG)

Carey RN, Glass DC, Peters S, Reid A, Benke G, Driscoll TR, Fritschi L (2014) Occupational exposure to solar radiation in Australia: who is exposed and what protection do they use? Aust N Z J Public Health 38(1):54–59CrossRef

Cioffi J, Wilkes L, Hartcher-O’Brien J (2003) Outdoor workers and sun protection: knowledge and behaviour. Aust J Const Econ Build 2:10–14

Deady S, Sharp L, Comber H (2014) Increasing skin cancer incidence in young, affluent, urban populations: a challenge for prevention. Br J Dermatol 171(2):324–331CrossRef

Dennis LK, Vanbeek MJ, Beane Freeman LE, Smith BJ, Dawson DV, Coughlin JA (2008) Sunburns and risk of cutaneous melanoma: does age matter? A comprehensive meta-analysis. Ann Epidemiol 18(8):614–627CrossRef

Diepgen TL, Brandenburg S, Aberer W, Bauer A, Drexler H, Fartasch M, John SM, Krohn S, Palfner S, Romer W, Schuhmacher-Stock U, Elsner P (2014) Skin cancer induced by natural UV-radiation as an occupational disease-requirements for its notification and recognition. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 12(12):1102–1106

Drexler H, Diepgen T, Schmitt J, Schwarz T, Letzel S (2012) Arbeitsbedingte UV-exposition und malignome der haut. Arbeitsmed Sozialmed Umweltmed 47(10)

European Council E (1989) Council directive of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work (89/391/EEC). No L 183/1

European Parliament E (2006) Report on the joint text approved by the Conciliation Committee for a dircetive of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to risks arising from physical agents (artificial optical radiation) (19th individual directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC), European Parliament. A6-0026/2006

European Union E (2006) Directive 2006/25/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2006. Official Journal of the European Union L 114

Falkner G, Treib O, Hartlapp M, Leibr S (2005) Complying wih Europe, EU harmonisation and soft law in the member states. Cambridge University Press, CambridgeCrossRef

Fartasch M, Diepgen TL, Schmitt J, Drexler H (2012) The relationship between occupational sun exposure and non-melanoma skin cancer: clinical basics, epidemiology, occupational disease evaluation, and prevention. Dtsch Arztebl Int 109(43):715–720

Gies P, Wright J (2003) Measured solar ultraviolet radiation exposures of outdoor workers in Queensland in the building and construction industry. Photochem Photobiol 78(4):342–348CrossRef

Goldsmith L, Katz S, Gilchrest B, Paller A, Leffel D, Wolff K (2012) Cutaneous melanoma. Fitzpatrick’s dermatology in general medicine. McGraw-Hill, New York

Haluza D, Moshammer H, Kundi M, Cervinka R (2014) Public (skin) health perspectives of gender differences in tanning habits and sun protective behaviour: a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Wien Klin Wochenschr

Horsham C, Auster J, Sendall MC, Stoneham M, Youl P, Crane P, Tenkate T, Janda M, Kimlin M (2014) Interventions to decrease skin cancer risk in outdoor workers: update to a 2007 systematic review. BMC Res Notes 7:10CrossRef

ICNIRP (2007) Protecting workers form ultraviolet radiation. In: Vecchia P, Hietanen M, Stuck B, van Deventer E, Niu S (eds) International commission on non-ionizing radiation protection

ICNIRP (2010) ICNIRP Statement on protection of workers against ultraviolet radiation. Health Phys 99(1):66–87CrossRef

International Agency for Research on Cancer—IARC (1992) Solar and ultraviolet radiation. IARC Monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans

Janda M, Stoneham M, Youl P, Crane P, Sendall MC, Tenkate T, Kimlin M (2014) What encourages sun protection among outdoor workers from four industries? J Occup Health 56(1):62–72CrossRef

Katlanic A (2014) Aktuelle Zahlen zur Epidemiologie von Melanomen und Hellem Hautkrebs. Universität Lübeck

Kauppinen T, Toikkanen J, Pedersen D, Young R, Ahrens W, Boffetta P, Hansen J, Kromhout H, Maqueda Blasco J, Mirabelli D, de la Orden-Rivera V, Pannett B, Plato N, Savela A, Vincent R, Kogevinas M (2000) Occupational exposure to carcinogens in the European Union. Occup Environ Med 57(1):10–18CrossRef

Knuschke P, Ott G, Janßen M, Mersiowsky K, Püschel A, Rönsch H, Beissert S, Bauer A (2014) The new occupational disease BK 5103 “Skin cancer”—needs of primary prevention and ways of realization. Results of the BAuA research project F 2036. Dermatol Beruf Umwelt 62(4):153–164CrossRef

Madgwick P, Houdmont J, Randall R (2011) Sun safety measures among construction workers in Britain. Occup Med 61(6):430–433CrossRef

Milon A, Bulliard JL, Vuilleumier L, Danuser B, Vernez D (2014) Estimating the contribution of occupational solar ultraviolet exposure to skin cancer. Br J Dermatol 170(1):157–164CrossRef

Reeder AI, Gray A, McCool JP (2013) Occupational sun protection: workplace culture, equipment provision and outdoor workers’ characteristics. J Occup Health 55(2):84–97CrossRef

Reinau D, Weiss M, Meier CR, Diepgen TL, Surber C (2013) Outdoor workers’ sun-related knowledge, attitudes and protective behaviours: a systematic review of cross-sectional and interventional studies. Br J Dermatol 168(5):928–940CrossRef

Rye S, Janda M, Stoneham M, Crane P, Sendall M, Youl P, Tenkate T, Baldwin L, Perina H, Finch L, Kimlin M (2014) Changes in outdoor workers’ sun-related attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors: a pre-post workplace intervention. J Occup Environ Med 56(9):e62–e72CrossRef

Schmitt J, Seidler A, Diepgen TL, Bauer A (2011) Occupational ultraviolet light exposure increases the risk for the development of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Dermatol 164(2):291–307CrossRef

Stepanski BM, Mayer JA (1998) Solar protection behaviors among outdoor workers. J Occup Environ Med 40(1):43–48CrossRef

Unverricht I, Knuschke P (2007) Verhalten von im Freien Beschäftigten gegenüber solarer UV-Strahlung in Beruf und Alltag. Dermatol Beruf Umwelt 4:159–166CrossRef

WHO (2015) Ultraviolet radiation and the INTERSUN programme—skin cancers. http://www.who.int/uv/faq/skincancer/en/index1.html

Title: Occupational risk factors for skin cancer and the availability of sun protection measures at German outdoor workplaces
Authors: Linda Ruppert
Robert Ofenloch
Christian Surber
Thomas Diepgen
Publication date: 01-08-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 6/2016
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-016-1138-2

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Occupational risk factors for skin cancer and the availability of sun protection measures at German outdoor workplaces

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 6/2016

Cisplatin and oxaliplatin surface contamination in intensive care units (ICUs) and hospital wards during attendance of HIPEC patients

Reducing the underreporting of lung cancer attributable to occupation: outcomes from a hospital-based systematic search in Northern Italy

Biological effects of inhaled nitrogen dioxide in healthy human subjects

Multidimensional assessment of self-reported chemical intolerance and its impact on chemosensory effects during ammonia exposure

Contribution of working conditions to occupational inequalities in depressive symptoms: results from the national French SUMER survey

Impact of night-shift work on the prevalence of erosive esophagitis in shipyard male workers