Skin Types – Individual Self-Protection
Skin Cancer due to Occupational UV Exposure
The amount of UV radiation that leads to skin redness is called minimal
Many people are often exposed to sunlight and UV radiation - not only
erythema dose (MED; unit: J/m). The tolerance against sunlight strongly
during their leisure time but also at work. Outdoor workers are especially
depends on the so-called skin type, a categorization according to the
affected by the implications of natural UV radiation.
skin‘s sensitivity degree towards UV radiation and its pre-tanning or rather its degree of skin tanning at all.
Certain skin cancers might be caused occupationaly by long-term UV exposure as well. If these special carcinoma occur in places which are typical for the respective profession, they can possibly be regarded
How much sun light does the skin tolerate?
as an occupational disease.
Skin Type I very light skin, Characteristics light blonde or red hair Skin Reaction
always red, never tanned
Self-Protection Time
5 to 10 minutes
The prevention of occupational skin cancers caused by the sun
Skin Type II
Skin Type III Skin Type IV light brown brown skin, skin, dark blonblack hair de hair moderately often red, tanned quickly, tanned, redness slight tanning never red uncommon 10 to 20 20 to 30 40 minutes minutes minutes
should have top priority. The common aim - worker protection - has
light skin, blonde hair
to be guaranteed by the development of effective solutions for sun protection and the implementation into practice. Technical-organizational measurements, e.g. the adjustment of daily working hours (Avoid midday sun!), as well as the consequent wearing of appropriate clothes and the application of sun protection products contribute to this aim.
Vulnerable Persons Persons endangered by sunlight are the ones who work outside and all other persons who are unprotectedly exposed to sunlight due to their occupation. The following groups are affected: builders / road construction workers
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farmers / foresters
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gardeners / landscapers
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mountain guides / ski instructors
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sailors
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postmen
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chimney sweepers
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pool attendants
Peter Greven Physioderm GmbH Procter-&-Gamble-Straße 26 D-53881 Euskirchen Germany Phone: +49 (0)2251 77617-30 Fax: +49 (0)2251 77617-44 info@physioderm.de www.physioderm.com
Exposure times - often decades-long - are essential for damage occurrence and for the subsequent approval of an occupational disease. UV-intensive light during lunchtime, altitude and reflecting surroundings (e.g. snow) increase the risk and have to be considered in the risk assessment for the respective occupation. Of course, certain risks hide in some indoor occupations such as electro welding. Precautionary measures have to be implemented as well. A Skin Care Program by
02/2017
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UV PROTECTION AT WORK