Occupational dermatoses in a metalworking plant

In a plant producing advanced components for engines and drivelines we undertook a survey of occupational dermatoses, based on a questionnaire, clinical examination, and patch testing with a standard series and a series of samples from the working environment. The questionnaire was given to all 430 employees and it was answered and returned by 382 of these. 214 reported having had or having skin manifestations during the time of employment suspected of being work-related. 183 employees (164 metal workers, 19 office staff) participated in the clinical investigation, 182 (163 metal workers, 19 office staff) being patch tested. Occupational dermatoses were diagnosed in 23 of these 163 (14.1%) and in 1 of these 19 (5.3%). In all, irritant contact dermatitis was diagnosed in 12 metal workers, occupational allergic contact dermatitis in 11 (10 metal workers and 1 office clerk) and folliculitis in 1 metal worker. In the 11, neat oils were the cause in 4 workers, a water-based cutting fluid in 3 and various biocides in 4.