Skin protection training. The route to practical applications

A skin protection cream can only provide effective protection at exposed workplaces if it is applied sufficiently and without gaps. This is sometimes difficult to achieve. Various studies have shown that success in the primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of occupational skin diseases is possible with intervention measures which include skin protection training. However, knowledge alone does not automatically lead to a change of attitudes, and this in turn may not automatically lead to a change of behaviour. The generation of health protection behaviour is in fact a very complex process. This complexity, together with the various intervention time points (primary, secondary or tertiary prevention) and the target groups should be taken into account when deciding the goals, contents and methods of skin protection training as well as the selection of the trainer. Typical goals, contents and methods are given for practical training which allow 'learning with head, heart and hand'.