This chapter is a resource for occupational hygienists, occupational physicians, and dermatologists on the role of hygienists in the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, control, and management of irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) in the workplace. To anticipate potential skin irritants, the occupational hygienist must have relevant education and experience on common irritants, ICD, and dermal exposures. The recognition of irritants involves the use of common standards of practice, databases, and established skin notations available from agencies and organizations. Once a potential irritant has been identified, the next step is to evaluate the exposure and assess the risk for ICD. This can be performed via a combination of visual confirmation, skin sampling, surface sampling, or the use of dermal exposure and risk assessment models. If preventative measures need to be implemented, occupational hygienists can use a hierarchy of controls to identify effective control measures, which can include elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, and PPE controls. Management of ICD often goes beyond standard hygiene practice, and hygienists may work with a medical professional to develop skin protection and care initiatives, especially when the prevalence of skin irritation and dermatitis is high among a working group. Relevant resources are provided for each stage of the occupational hygiene process.

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Occupational Hygiene and Irritant Dermatitis

  • Robert N. Phalen

摘要

This chapter is a resource for occupational hygienists, occupational physicians, and dermatologists on the role of hygienists in the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, control, and management of irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) in the workplace. To anticipate potential skin irritants, the occupational hygienist must have relevant education and experience on common irritants, ICD, and dermal exposures. The recognition of irritants involves the use of common standards of practice, databases, and established skin notations available from agencies and organizations. Once a potential irritant has been identified, the next step is to evaluate the exposure and assess the risk for ICD. This can be performed via a combination of visual confirmation, skin sampling, surface sampling, or the use of dermal exposure and risk assessment models. If preventative measures need to be implemented, occupational hygienists can use a hierarchy of controls to identify effective control measures, which can include elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, and PPE controls. Management of ICD often goes beyond standard hygiene practice, and hygienists may work with a medical professional to develop skin protection and care initiatives, especially when the prevalence of skin irritation and dermatitis is high among a working group. Relevant resources are provided for each stage of the occupational hygiene process.