Hard metals consisting mainly of tungsten carbide and cobalt and stellite consisting of cobalt, chromium, and tungsten carbide are used in applications where considerable hardness or high surface stability is required. Grinding of hard metal and stellite takes place either in a dry or wet process, the latter entailing water-miscible metalworking fluids (MWFs, “cutting fluids”). Brazing is a process where solid or powder-form metal is melted to form hard metal or stellite pieces or to bind them to another material. Hard metal workers include those manufacturing hard metal blades or other products and those maintaining them. Skin contactantsSkin contactants encountered in hard metal work include metals, constituents of MWFs, protective gloves made of various materials, and a number of skin-irritating factors such as dirty work, abrasion, and wet work. Noteworthy skin exposure to cobalt may take place both in dry and wet processes and from direct contacts with metal objects or contaminated surfaces. Hand eczema is relatively common in MWF operations including wet grinding of hard metal, and it can result from the irritant effect of the MWFs or from sensitizing components in them or from both. Skin exposure to allergens and irritants can be reduced by careful working methods, protective gloves and clothes, and by enclosing grinding machines.