Präventionsprogramm Haut für das Back- sowie Hotel- und Gaststättengewerbe

Abstract

Occupational skin diseases lead the statistical reports of occupational disease (OD). Besides other professions the bakers, confectioners and the employees in the catering trades are at high risk to develop occupational skin diseases (OSD). Since January 1999 23 employees were included in an interdisciplinary skin disease prevention program run by the Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena, the Research Center for Applied System Safety and Industrial Medicine, Erfurt and the Technical Experts of the Social Insurance for the Food Industry and Related Professions (Berufsgenossenschaft fur Nahrungsmittel und Gaststatten [BGN]), Erfurt. After an in-detail analysis of the occupational exposure of the employees and the personal occupational disease history, diagnosis and therapy were re-evaluated and supplemented, if necessary. Individual skin care and protection regimes will be demonstrated and practised. Skin care and protection ointments as well as protective gloves were supplied by the BGN. Skin care and protection seminars were organised. Since January 1999 16 employees were examined in the occupational clinic. 75% of the employees had an irritant contact dermatitis. The preliminary results showed that most of the occupational skin diseases are due to no, wrong or misplaced skin care and protection habits. The follow-up data of 7 (44%) employees were shown. In the first few month 43% of the employees improved and/or the skin disease healed. Moreover, in 43% of the employees the skin condition was stable although they stayed at work. These first results are promising. More employees will be included and the program will be expanded.