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Occupational risk factors for skin cancer and the availability of sun protection measures at German outdoor workplaces

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Abstract

Purpose

Germany implemented a new occupational disease “squamous cell carcinoma or multiple actinic keratosis due to natural UV radiation (UVR)” into the German ordinance on occupational diseases. Since primary prevention is very important, the aim of this study was to assess the provision of sun protection measures by the employers in vocational school students for outdoor professions.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study on the availability of sun protection measures at German workplaces and the risk of occupational sunburn by surveying 245 vocational school students working in outdoor occupations.

Results

More than 40 % of the students did not receive any sun protection measures by their employer, and 34.5 % of the students got sunburned during work. Working in the shade was a protective factor for occupational sunburn but was merely available for 23.7 % of the outdoor workers.

Conclusion

Our study reveals a strong need for effective sun protection measures, including both administrative controls like education and personal protection measures at German outdoor workplaces.

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Acknowledgments

We would sincerely like to thank the following participating vocational schools for their support and all the students for their contribution: Carl-Hofer-Schule Karlsruhe, Friedrich-Hecker-Schule Sinsheim, Friedrich-List-Schule Darmstadt, Heinrich Lanz Schule I Mannheim, Johannes-Gutenberg-Schule Heidelberg and Peter-Behrens-Schule Darmstadt.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Social Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Dermatology, University Hospital, Ruprecht Karls University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

    Linda Ruppert, Robert Ofenloch & Thomas Diepgen

  2. University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland

    Christian Surber

  3. University Hospital Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Christian Surber

Authors
  1. Linda Ruppert
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  2. Robert Ofenloch
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  3. Christian Surber
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  4. Thomas Diepgen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Thomas Diepgen.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Ruppert, L., Ofenloch, R., Surber, C. et al. Occupational risk factors for skin cancer and the availability of sun protection measures at German outdoor workplaces. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 89, 1009–1015 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-016-1138-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-016-1138-2

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