German Social Accident Insurance Research Articles

Recommendations for patch testing with patient’s own materials in occupational dermatology

AbstractAllergic contact dermatitis is one of the most common occupational skin diseases. Due to the limited availability of commercial patch test preparations, patch testing patient’s own material (POM) is of great importance in the diagnosis of occupational contact dermatitis. In a research project (FB 317b) funded by the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), a comprehensive assessment of the quality of patch testing with POM in individuals with suspected occupational skin diseases was carried out for the first time in Germany. The initial results show considerable deficiencies in the documentation and in some cases also in the performance of patch testing POMs. Therefore, recommendations for patch testing POM and in particular patch testing with workplace materials are presented.

Occupational diseases related to otorhinolaryngology

In the German Ordinance on Occupational Diseases (BKV), there are currently 82 occupational diseases listed, of which 18 partially or completely fall within the field of ENT medicine due to the associated health disorders. Noise-induced hearing loss is usually the focus of attention for the ENT specialist, but it has long since ceased to be the only occupational disease. In order to help uncover possible causalities between occupational noxious substances and diseases, it is important that physicians report their own observations and new scientific findings regarding suspected cases to the German Social Accident Insurance, especially in situations where cancer may be linked to occupational influences.

Hohes Niveau asbestassoziierter Todesfälle: Früherkennungsprogramme und ihre ambivalente Wirkung

High levels of asbestos-related deaths: Early detection programs and their ambivalent effects (Interview) The number of asbestos-related deaths due to occupational diseases remains high. the German Social Accident Insurance (DGuV) reported 1520, 1623, and 1328 fatalities in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. To address this, occupational associations offer early detection programs. Since 1973, preventive medical check-ups have been carried out for employees formerly exposed to asbestos as part of secondary prevention. however, anxiety and uncertainty about the disease can deter individuals from participating, impacting the program’s effectiveness.

Acquisition of Data on Kinematic Responses to Unpredictable Gait Perturbations: Collection and Quality Assurance of Data for Use in Machine Learning Algorithms for (Near-)Fall Detection.

Slip, trip, and fall (STF) accidents cause high rates of absence from work in many companies. During the 2022 reporting period, the German Social Accident Insurance recorded 165,420 STF accidents, of which 12 were fatal and 2485 led to disability pensions. Particularly in the traffic, transport and logistics sector, STF accidents are the most frequently reported occupational accidents. Therefore, an accurate detection of near-falls is critical to improve worker safety. Efficient detection algorithms are essential for this, but their performance heavily depends on large, well-curated datasets. However, there are drawbacks to current datasets, including small sample sizes, an emphasis on older demographics, and a reliance on simulated rather than real data. In this paper we report the collection of a standardised kinematic STF dataset from real-world STF events affecting parcel delivery workers and steelworkers. We further discuss the use of the data to evaluate dynamic stability control during locomotion for machine learning and build a standardised database. We present the data collection, discuss the classification of the data, present the totality of the data statistically, and compare it with existing databases. A significant research gap is the limited number of participants and focus on older populations in previous studies, as well as the reliance on simulated rather than real-world data. Our study addresses these gaps by providing a larger dataset of real-world STF events from a working population with physically demanding jobs. The population studied included 110 participants, consisting of 55 parcel delivery drivers and 55 steelworkers, both male and female, aged between 19 and 63 years. This diverse participant base allows for a more comprehensive understanding of STF incidents in different working environments.

Zinc fever in a painter and varnisher: a case report

BackgroundZinc fever is well described in medical literature, particularly in workers after handling zinc-containing materials at high temperatures e.g., in the welding of hot-dip galvanized steel sheets. It is not known whether zinc fever also occurs at low temperatures.Case presentationWe present the case of a 33-year-old Caucasian atopic painter and varnisher with work-related dyspnea, sweating, as well as multiple occurrences of fever. He was sent to Institute for Prevention and Occupational medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA) for the evaluation of isocyanate asthma, but an inhalative challenge with hexamethylene diisocyanate was negative. Since symptoms were closely related to the use of zinc coatings at room temperature without adequate protective measures, the diagnosis of zinc fever was made. After exposure cessation the worker immediately became symptom-free. The work as painter and varnisher may be associated with various exposures to hazardous substances. Besides solvents, epoxy compounds and isocyanates, which can cause obstructive respiratory diseases; additionally, zinc-containing agents should be considered as health hazards.ConclusionsThis case demonstrates that zinc fever may occur also after application of zinc coatings by spray painting at low temperatures.

Structured image diagnosis of vertebral body degeneration and intervertebral disc damage - Binary image criteria and comparison for systematic image analysis for occupational diseases 2108 and 2110.

Job-related limitations of earning capacity are eligible for recognition under social legislation and may be subject to compensation (see Part 1). For the recognition of an occupational disease (BK), diagnostic imaging is required as part of the legal determination procedure for occupational diseases 2108/2110 ("occupational disc disease"). The focus is on image criteria on X-ray images and MRI examinations. In a consensus paper under the guidance of the German Social Accident Insurance Institutions from 2005, the characteristic patterns are defined and explained extensively and summarized in typical occupation-related constellations. This article presents representative image examples as a reference system for expert reporting as far as the typical patterns from the consensus paper are concerned. In Part 2, comparison images with the typical findings of the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs according to occupational diseases are systematically presented, explained, and offered as a reference system for expert assessment. The image criteria can be used as "evidence by eye" (Heuck) in the recognition procedure. · Occupational diseases are defined by the legislator in the "List of Occupational Diseases".. · For occupational intervertebral disc diseases (OD nos. 2108/2110), constellations of findings are defined.. · Within the scope of diagnostic imaging, a large number of image criteria are used.. · Part 1 explains the basics and the legal background.. · Part 2 provides the image criteria on the basis of "comparison images" as a reference catalog.. · Braunschweig R, Kildal D, Meyer-Clement M et al. Structured image diagnosis of vertebral body degeneration and intervertebral disc damage - Binary image criteria and comparison for systematic image analysis for occupational diseases 2108 and 2110. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2024; 196: 912 - 920.

Diagnostics of IgE-mediated occupational allergies: Between reality, requirements, and opportunities.

Occupational skin and respiratory allergies are among the most common occupational diseases in Germany. The identification of the allergy trigger is essential for the recognition of an occupational allergy as well as for effective individual prevention. However, occupational type I allergens are among the "rare" allergens and the possibilities of guideline-compliant diagnosis using quality-tested skin test solutions is becoming increasingly difficult due to the reduction in commercially available test allergens. In order to guarantee meaningful diagnostic workup for all affected insured persons with suspected occupational type I allergies and to ensure this in the future, a durable optimization, standardization, and availability of allergy tests for occupational allergic diseases is urgently required. The need for action has been recognized by the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), and steps to eliminate the diagnostic gaps have been initiated by a joint research project at the Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the DGUV (IPA) and the Paul Ehrlich Institut (PEI). The evaluation of alternative methods for the production of standardized test allergen solutions can also be used for newly emerging allergens in the workplace. New allergen sources at workplaces and thus also sensitization and allergies among employees can be expected as a result of changes in work processes and the introduction of new technologies and/or working materials, which are also introduced in connection with climate change and the concept of sustainability.

Quality of patch testing patient's own material in patients with suspected occupational skin diseases throughout Germany: Interim results of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) research project FB 317b.

Due to limited availability of commercial test preparations, patch testing patient's own material (POM) is of great importance to diagnose occupational allergic contact dermatitis. To assess the quality of performance and documentation of patch testing with POM in patients with suspected occupational skin diseases (OSD) in Germany. Retrospective-prospective analysis of protocols of patch tests with POM was conducted between 2013 and 2021 in patients with suspected OSD and submitted to statutory accident insurance institutions. Assessments were done by predefined criteria. Three thousand and four patch tests with POM from 460 patients were included. A full description of the POM was provided in 73.3% of all tests. The test concentration, test vehicle and pH value were documented in 74.3%, 70.5% and 42.2% of tests, for which the respective parameters were considered relevant. One hundred and sixty-one positive reactions to POM were documented. In 72%, sufficient patch testing with commercial test substances was conducted to investigate the positive reaction. In 30.4%, consecutive patch testing of all ingredients of the POM was done. The results not only show considerable shortcomings mainly in documentation but also to some extent performance of patch tests with POM in patients with suspected OSD in Germany.

Lung cancer screening by low-dose CT among asbestos-exposed workers in Germany

Abstract Introduction The German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) has introduced lung cancer screening (LCS) by means of annual low-dose CT. Eligibility criteria for the main cohort are age ≥55 years, smoking history of ≥ 30 pack years and occupational asbestos exposure (OAE) of ≥ 10 years with onset before 1985. Medical counselling prior to CT scan is mandatory and supports shared decision-making. After being launched in pilot regions, LCS has been rolled out nationwide since 2017. As guidelines recommend a systematic evaluation for LCS, the research project EVALUNG has been implemented since 2022. Methods EVALUNG was designed to evaluate process and outcome of LCS combining quantitative and qualitative elements. The quantitative part is based exclusively on routine administrative and medical data. So far, anonymised data with selected items were used to assess availability of data and potential quality indicators, and to perform initial descriptive analyses in terms of participation rates, suspicious findings and detected lung cancer in first round screening. Results By end of 2021, 22,794 eligible persons were offered participation in LCS at least once. Based on first round screening, 12,808 pre-screening medical consultations were carried out and resulted in 9,277 initial CT scans, corresponding to a participation rate of 40.7 % of invited persons, and 72.4 % after medical consultation, respectively. Overall, 931 CT findings (10.0%) required control scans within a shortened interval. A total of 103 persons (1.1 %) were diagnosed with lung cancer, of which almost half (n = 54) were legally recognised as occupational disease. Conclusions EVALUNG shows feasibility of a screening evaluation of an occupational cohort based on routine data. However, not all quality indicators for LCS can be covered yet and outcome parameters need to be investigated in more detail in this cohort. Linkage with cancer registry data is an option to enhance data and will be explored further in the project. Key messages • Routine administrative data can be used to assess basic outcomes from LCS in an occupational cohort from Germany. Linkage with registry data is desirable to investigate detailed LCS indicators. • Detection rate in first round LCS in an occupational cohort from Germany was 1.1% and half of detected cases were legally recognised as occupational disease.

COVID-19 as an insurance case of the statutory accident insurance: occupational disease or occupational accident : Relevant knowledge for the (general and abdominal) surgeon

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic resulted in many infections with the virus and sickness due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, there was adramatic increase in the number of reported and recognized occupational diseases (Berufskrankheit, BK) and occupational accidents (Arbeitsunfall, AU) at the German Social Accident Insurance Institutions (BG) and accident insurance funds (Unfallkassen).The publication aims to show the differences between BK and AU and to review the current data on occupational diseases. It deals with the definitions of BK and AU, the differences in the conditions for recognition as BK or AU. Furthermore, the claims for benefits are presented. Finally, statistical key figures of the BK according to No.3101 and the AU are presented.Results (key points)-According to §7 SGBVII, AU and BK are insured events of the statutory accident insurance.-In surgery, like specifically in the rest of the healthcare system, the relevance of the SARS-CoV‑2 infection with post-COVID in personnel for occupational medical prevention and as acase to be recognized by the statutory accident insurance (BK or AU) becomes clear.-Relevant for the recognition are the duration and the intensity of the contact (local proximity) and the SARS-CoV‑2 occupational health and safety rule of 20 August 2020 essentially recognizes acontact duration of at least 15 min at aspatial distance of less than 1.5-2 m (further aspects: more intensive shorter contacts, number of verifiably infected persons in the closer activity environment or the usual personal contacts, spatial situation, work route, special constellations).-No case numbers can be elicited for the detailed presentation of the surgery setting.-There are still immense problems and challenges in the assessment of COVID-19 consequences or post-COVID as occupational disease, as numerous uncertainty factors, such as insufficiently secured knowledge about the further long-term course over the years or the widely varied symptom spectrum complicates the medical assessment of the consequences of this disease.Conclusion: the SARS-CoV‑2 pandemic is aspecial challenge for surgery with intensive patient contact and for the entire healthcare system. This caused long-lasting changes and the adequate health care as well as insurance law processing of the (case-specific) consequences might still require considerable efforts and resources.

Epidemiology and socioeconomic consequences of work-related pelvic and acetabular fractures recorded in the German Social Accident Insurance

IntroductionPelvic and acetabular fractures can result from work-related accidents and frequently require lengthy medical treatments. Consequently, high medical costs as well as delayed or absent return to work can be the consequence. Therefore, we aimed to study the socioeconomic consequences of work-related pelvic and acetabular fractures. Materials and methodsThis retrospective study investigated work-related pelvic and acetabular fractures recorded in the German Social Accident Insurance in 2011 and 2017, in terms of age, sex, type of accident, duration of incapacity to work, reductions in earning capacity, costs for outpatient and inpatient treatment and costs for pension and severance pay. ResultsAmong a total of 606 injuries in 2011 and 619 injuries in 2017, male patients and patients between 40 and 65 years were predominantly affected. Acetabular fractures caused higher rates of long absence from work of 6–12 months (2011: 24.7% vs. 9.5–16.9%; 2017: 26.1% vs. 6.1–11.0%) and >12 months (2011: 15.8% vs. 9.8–10.2%; 2017: 13.3% vs. 1.9–8.2%) as well as more cases with a reduction in earning capacity of at least 20% (2011: 61 vs. ≤27 cases; 2017: 39 vs. ≤12 cases) compared to pelvic ring fractures. The total costs for pelvic ring and acetabular fractures in the German social accident insurances amounted € 18,726,630 and € 9637,189 in the periods 2011–2020 and 2017–2020, respectively. The average costs per case for treatment and rehabilitation until 2020 was € 19,079 for injuries from 2011 and € 13,629 for injuries from 2017. Acetabular fractures were found to be the most cost-intensive injuries compared to anterior, posterior or complex pelvic ring fractures. ConclusionsWork-related pelvic and especially acetabular fractures have a considerable socioeconomic impact in the German Social Accident Insurance. Measures to prevent work-related accidents and to improve treatment of pelvic injuries can help to reduce their socioeconomic burden.

29 Estimating Respirable Dust Exposure from Inhalable Dust Exposure

Abstract From the exposition database ‘MEGA’, established by the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance, measurements of inhalable dust (n=103 825) and respirable dust (n=222 501) were selected to create conversion functions of inhalable to respirable dust concentrations in different workplaces. These functions are important for exposure assessment or retrospective evaluations of exposure situations and for epidemiologic studies, when just one fraction was analyzed. For the determination of the conversion functions, 15 120 pairs of inhalable and respirable dust, which were measured in parallel, were formed. The assignment was done considering various variables such as sampling date and time or workplaces. The measured values were log-transformed and a linear regression analysis was done, calculating a conversion function for the whole dataset with an adjusted R2 > 0.580 and R>0.760. On the basis of technical information, the dataset was divided into different dust groups considering material and working activities as relevant variables, resulting in six working activity, three material, four working activity-material combination and eleven heuristic groups. For each of these groups a conversion function was calculated as well and will be described in the presentation. The models admissibility was evaluated by examining the assumptions of linear regression such as no autocorrelation, normal distribution of residuals and variance homogeneity. On the basis of that, future measurements in different workplaces and the dust exposure can easier be evaluated, when measurements of just one fractions were made and the other can be estimated using the conversion functions.

Stationäre und ambulante Heilverfahren der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung

It is one objective of German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) to restore the health and performance of insured persons after an accident "using all appropriate methods". Because of the legal requirements, possible rehabilitation may greatly differ from that provided by sickness or pension insurance. This article provides an overview of the available treatments after accidents at work and the rehabilitation phase in which they may be used.

Trend Analysis by Risk Observation: How the German Statutory Accident Insurance Prepares for the Future in Occupational Safety and Health

BackgroundThe risk observatory (RO) of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) provides strategic support to the German Social Accident Insurance Institutions (GSAII) in proactive prevention. It does so by identifying future challenges and opportunities for occupational safety and health (OSH) resulting from new trends and developments that affect employees as well as children in elementary education, pupils, and students. MethodsThe core of the RO is an online survey that relies on a pool of new trends and developments identified via internet and literature research. 865 prevention experts of the GSAII and the DGUV participated in the survey. They rated trends and developments regarding their sector-specific risks and opportunities for OSH in the 5 years to come. ResultsSector-specific and over-all results show that besides well-known OSH risks such as musculoskeletal stress and noise, developments relevant for OSH come to the fore that do not have their origin in work itself, but are strongly influenced by political, social, economic, environmental, or technical developments that accident insurance can only peripherally influence. Shortage of skilled staff was identified as a threat to OSH in almost all sectors. ConclusionsPrevention must find ways to address repercussions of such OSH risks. Cooperation and political awareness are therefore gaining in importance. Also, implementing a prevention culture in society and strengthening individuals’ health and safety literacy, e.g., by target-group-specific communication and sensitization, as well as early safety and health education, help to counteract those OSH risks.

When must the suspicion of an occupational disease or urological sequelae of an occupational accident be reported? : Legal background, medical obligations and course of the procedure

Physicians are obliged to report the suspected presence of an occupational disease to the German Social Accident Insurance Institutions or to the state authority responsible for occupational health and safety. In the field of urology, tumors of the urinary tract are the most common, followed by the less common renal cell cancer and mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis; however, for such asuspicion to arise at all, sufficient knowledge of urological occupational diseases must be present and the occupational or work history over the entire training and working life since the beginning of employment must be collected. In daily life the notification often fails at this point. In addition to the legal foundation and the principal course of the procedure, this article explains how arelevant comprehensive medical history by means of questionnaires can contribute to the fact that neither too many or all tumor diseases are unreflectedly reported, nor that occupational diseases are overlooked due to the lack of a medical history or detailed knowledge (or fear of this). Urological sequelae of accidents are often not adequately appreciated in the primary process or may take along time to develop. In this case reporting the aggravation of the consequences of the accident is essential.

Estimating cobalt exposure in respirable dust from cobalt in inhalable dust.

Cobalt is a commonly used element in metal industry. Exposure to workers occurs mainly by inhalation of cobalt-containing dust. For the evaluation of cobalt exposure, risk assessment and investigations on occupational diseases, measurements of cobalt in respirable dust are needed. Up to now, often only data for cobalt in inhalable dust are available, which is due to the earlier classification of the limit value in this fraction. Therefore, a possibility to convert cobalt concentrations mathematically from inhalable into respirable concentrations is desirable. In this study, 639 parallel measurements of cobalt concentrations in inhalable (cI(Co)) and respirable dust fractions (cR(Co)) were extracted from the non-public exposure database MEGA (Measurement data relating to workplace exposure to hazardous substances, maintained at the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance) and investigated by regression analysis. For the whole dataset regression shows high quality measures (correlation coefficient R=0.888, adjusted coefficient of determination adj. R2=0.788 - R2 is adjusted to sample size). Further description of the data is achieved by splitting the dataset according to the type of sampling ('stationary' and 'personal') and three working activity groups, 'high temperature processing', 'filling/transport/storage', and 'machining/abrasive techniques' (0.845 ≤ R≤0.876; 0.711 ≤ adj. R2 ≤ 0.762). As subgroups of 'high temperature processing' and 'machining/abrasive techniques' two further groups could be determined. These groups are called heuristic groups, since they have to be formed non-systematically by trial and error. These heuristic groups are 'welding' and 'grinding'. They are more selective on the included working activities with adj. R2 of 0.703 and 0.748 respectively. The resulting conversion functions of all groups are power functions with exponents between 0.704 and 0.794. For the estimation of cobalt in respirable dust in other studies, it is possible to use the conversion functions of the heuristic and working activity groups. Limitations of the possibility to use the conversion functions are discussed.

COVID-19 als Berufskrankheit und Arbeitsunfall – Analyse der gemeldeten und anerkannten Fälle der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung

COVID-19 as an occupational disease and work-related accident – Analysis of reported and recognised cases handled by German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) Objectives: This article analyses the number of cases of occupational disease (OD) and work-related accidents in connection with COVID-19 reported to all accident insurance funds (UVT) in Germany and duly recognised as claims. Methods: The analysis covers data from a special survey of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), the umbrella association of the accident insurance institutions for the industrial and public sectors (the BGs and the public-sector accident insurers respectively), and routine data from the social accident insurance provider for the health and welfare sector (BGW). In the case of the BGW data, we present the COVID-19 cases per 1,000 full-time equivalents (FTE) separated by sector. Results: Since the beginning of the pandemic, the UVT have registered 202,945 cases related to COVID-19 and recognised 121,027 of these as insurance claims. Most reports related to an OD (83.3 %). The most affected UVT is the BGW, with 59.7 % of all reported cases. On average, 24.05 OD per 1,000 FTE were reported to the BGW. Clinics and nursing homes had the highest rates (53.9 and 46.7 OD per 1,000 FTE). Nursing and kindergarten jobs, typically held by women, accounted for 77 % of reports to the BGW. Nurses accounted for 71.2 % of insured persons treated in hospital and 44.8 % of deaths. Conclusion: The number of reported cases of COVID-19 recognised as insurance claims is high. The UVT are affected to varying degrees. The BGW is the most affected. The infection risk for nurses, a predominantly female job, is particularly high. Provision and compensation for insured persons will continue to be a major challenge over the next few years due to the potential long-term adverse effects of COVID-19. Keywords: COVID-19 – health protection – occupational disease – work-related accident

Exoworkathlon: A prospective study approach for the evaluation of industrial exoskeletons.

Industrial exoskeletons have recently gained importance as ergonomic interventions for physically demanding work activities. The growing demand for exoskeletons is leading to a need for new knowledge on the effectiveness of these systems. The Exoworkathlon, as a prospective study approach, aims to assess exoskeletons in realistic use cases and to evaluate them neutrally in their entirety. For this purpose, a first set of four realistic Parcours was developed with experts from relevant industries, the German Social Accident Insurance, and the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. In addition, a set of ratings was defined to assess subjective user feedback, work quality, and objective physiological parameters. Exoworkathlon aims to bring together developers, researchers, and end-users, strengthen collaborative exchanges, and promote a platform for the prospective holistic data collection for exoskeleton evaluation. In this article, the focus is on the background and methodology of Exoworkathlon.

Studie zur Umsetzung und Akzeptanz des SARSCoV- 2-Arbeitsschutzstandards und der SARS-CoV-2- Arbeitsschutzregel für einen erfolgreichen Infektionsschutz im Unternehmen

Study of the implementation and acceptance of the SARS-CoV-2 occupational safety and health standard and the SARS-CoV-2 occupational safety and health rules for successful infection control in companies Objectives: This study is intended to provide insights into the real-life implementation of SARS-CoV-2-related occupational safety and health (OSH) measures in German companies. It should also help to identify possible perspectives for further measures to improve the approach of the German accident insurance institutions in comparable situations and to reduce the burden on employees. Methods: Between December 2020 and May 2021, we conducted an online survey on the implementation of SARS-CoV-2 OSH measures. With the help of various German Social Accident Insurance Institutions, we recruited 344 OSH professionals and 92 other people with OSH responsibility from the public sector, industrial, financial, retail and local public transport sectors, and analysed their responses. Results: Most OSH professionals are familiar with SARS-CoV-2 OSH standards, SARS-CoV-2 OSH rules and sector-specific supplements. In only very rare exceptions (1 %) were the employees not informed of preventive and occupational safety measures that had been initiated. Sector-specific differences were particularly evident in contact reduction measures and the stockholding of protective equipment. The increase in mobile working and the greater use of digital communication media were cited as major longterm consequences of the pandemic on future work types. Conclusions: This study confirms that the importance of occupational and infection protection has increased in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Many companies took infection control measures early in the pandemic. Keywords: coronavirus – COVID-19 – SARS-CoV-2 pandemic – preventive measures – occupational safety and health professionals

Estimating nickel exposure in respirable dust from nickel in inhalable dust.

The conversion of dust components is of high importance for retrospective evaluations of exposure levels, of occupational diseases or the time trend of occupational dust exposure. For this purpose, possibilities to convert nickel concentrations from inhalable to respirable dust are discussed in this study. Therefore, 551 parallel measurements of nickel concentrations in inhalable and respirable dust fractions were extracted from the exposure database MEGA (maintained at the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance) and investigated by linear regression analysis of ln-transformed concentrations. Inhalable dust is the most important predictor variable, showing an adjusted coefficient of determination (adj. R2) of 0.767 (R2 adjusted to sample size). Since multilinear regression analysis, cannot be applied, further description of data is gained by splitting the whole dataset into working activity groups (e. g. 'high temperature processing', adj. R2=0.628,' filling/transport/storage' adj. R2=0.741, 'machining/abrasive techniques', adj. R2=0.777). From these groups, four task restrictive subgroups, so-called 'heuristic groups', can be derived by pooling similar working tasks with similar regression coefficients and enhanced quality measures (adj. R2 between 0.724 and 0.924): 'welding (grinding time fraction [GTF]<5%)', 'welding (grinding time fraction [GTF]>5%)', 'high temperature cutting' and 'grinding'. For the working activity group 'high temperature processing' and the heuristic group 'welding' the determination of the grinding time fraction and its inclusion or exclusion from a dataset has a huge impact on the description of data and whether a transformation of nickel concentrations using the natural logarithm (ln) is necessary or not. In case of GTF < 5%, the conversions functions are linear, all other conversion functions are power functions with exponents between 0.713 and 0.986. It is possible to develop conversion functions for estimating the nickel concentration in the respirable dust fraction (cR(Ni)) out of the nickel concentration in the inhalable dust fraction (cI(Ni)). For the estimation of Nickel in respirable dust other studies, it is recommend to use the conversion functions of the heuristic trial and error groups. Limitations of the possibility to use the conversion functions are discussed.