Abstract
Aim of the study
Occupational contact dermatitis caused by wet work is particularly common in hairdressers. Data on the duration of wet work (DWW) in the hairdresser’s trade are not well known until now. A questionnaire or self-reported/estimated skin exposure are not suitable to get accurate information about DWW. According to the guidance of the German Federal Ministry for Labour and Social Affairs, employees with DWW > 2 h per day should get a possibility for targeted occupational-medical health examinations. Targeted occupational-medical health examinations are prescribed for employees with daily duration of wet work longer than 4 h. The aim of the study was to quantify the average daily exposition to wet work in hairdressers.
Materials and methods
In our study, we used the direct observation as a standard method to analyse the work steps and to measure DWW in hairdressers. We developed the instrument for the analyses of activities in hairdresser salons and measurement of DWW in hairdressers during their 8-h shift. At the beginning of the study, 60 observers were intensively instructed and trained in the procedure of analysis.
Results
The mean of duration of wet work (DWW) in 106 8-h shifts analysed was 8,234 s (approx. 2 h 17 min). The minimum of DWW was 278 s and the maximum 21,135 s (approx. 6 h); the standard deviation was 3,826 s. In 37% of the analysed 8-h shifts, DWW was shorter than 2 h, in 58% between 2 and 4 h and in 5% longer than 4 h. Eighteen per cent of the DWW was caused by wearing water-resistant protective gloves. We found positive correlations between “DWW” and “DWW > 2 h”, with the predictors “number of customers total”, “number of long-haired people” and “number of female customers”.
Conclusion
According to the guidance of the German Federal Ministry for Labour and Social Affairs, hairdressers should get a possibility for targeted occupational-medical health examinations.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anveden I, Liden C, Alderling M, Meding B (2006) Self-reported skin exposure–validation of questions by observation. Contact Derm 55:186–191
Cherrie JW, Apsley A, Semple S (2007) A new sampler to assess dermal exposure during wet working. Ann Occup Hyg 51(1):13–18
John SM, Uter W, Schwanitz HJ (2000) Relevance of multiparametric skin bioengineering in a prospectively- followed cohort of junior hairdressers. Contact Derm 43:161–168
Jungbauer FHW, Lensen GJ, Groothoff JW, Coenraads PJ (2004a) Exposure of the hands to wet work in nurses. Contact Derm 50:225–229
Jungbauer FHW, Van Der Harst JJ, Schuttelaar ML, Groothoff JW, Coenraads PJ (2004b) Characteristics of wet work in the cleaning industry. Contact Derm 51:131–134
Lind ML, Albin M, Brisman J, Diab KK, Lillienberg L, Mikoczy Z, Nielsen J, Rylander L, Toren K, Meding B (2007) Incidence of hand eczema in female Swedish hairdressers. Occup Environ Med 64:191–195
Niedner R (2008) Occupational burden of the skin: the example of hands [article in German]. Bundesgesundheitsbl Gesundheitsforsch Gesundheitsschutz 3:334–339
Perkins JB, Farrow A (2005) Prevalence of occupational hand dermatitis in U.K. hairdressers. Int J Occup Environ Health 11:289–293
Schwanitz HJ, Uter W (2000) Interdigital dermatitis: sentinel skin damage in hairdressers. Brit J Derm 142:1011–1012
Skudlik C, Dulon M, Wendeler D, John SM, Nienhaus A (2009) Hand eczema in geriatric nurses in Germany–prevalence and risk factors. Contact Derm 60:136–143
Uter W, Pfahlberg A, Gefeller O, Schwanitz HJ (1999a) Risk of hand dermatitis among hairdressers versus office workers. Scand J Work Environ Health 25(5):450–456
Uter W, Pfahlberg A, Gefeller O, Schwanitz HJ (1999b) Hand dermatitis in a prospectively-followed cohort of hairdressing apprentices: final results of the POSH study. Contact Derm 41:280–286
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to the students of for all their work in recruiting and interviewing the participants, and processing the data and the samples. Financial support for this work was provided by Institution of Statutory Accident Insurance of the Health and Welfare Service, Hamburg, Germany.
Conflict of interest
None.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kralj, N., Oertel, C., Doench, N.M. et al. Duration of wet work in hairdressers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 84, 29–34 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-010-0564-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-010-0564-9