What Do Occupational Hygienists Really Know About Skin Exposure?

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health and Safety
• Industrial Hygiene
• Dermal Exposure Management

Background:

• Dermal exposure to chemicals presents significant workplace risks.
• Effective management strategies are crucial for protecting worker health.
• Understanding current practices among occupational hygienists is essential for identifying knowledge gaps.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current work practices and understanding of dermal exposure management among occupational hygienists in the UK and Australia.
• To identify knowledge gaps and preferred training methods for improving competence in dermal exposure assessment and control.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire survey was distributed to members of the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) and the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH).
• The survey covered employment demographics, experience, knowledge, and opinions on dermal exposure management.
• Data were collected from 116 UK respondents (2016) and 114 Australian respondents (2018).

Main Results:

• Most respondents had evaluated dermal exposure risks, though infrequently.
• Common control strategies included chemical substitution, work practice changes, education, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• PPE was the most frequently cited control measure (BOHS 99%; AIOH 97%).
• A significant majority expressed a desire for more information on assessing dermal exposure risks (BOHS 89%; AIOH 88%).

Conclusions:

• While occupational hygienists employ various control measures for dermal exposure, there is a clear need for enhanced training in risk assessment.
• Web-based guidance, interactive materials, and workshops are suggested as effective methods for professional development.
• Improving competence in dermal exposure management is vital for workplace safety.