The Role of Industrial Hygiene in Preventing Occupational Skin Disorders: A Review

Kimberly Long Holt

doi:10.55927/fjmr.v4i9.499

Authors

Kimberly Long Holt Health and Safety Concepts

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55927/fjmr.v4i9.499

Keywords:

Occupational Skin Disorders, Industrial Hygiene, Personal Protective Equipment, Dermatitis, Skin Protection

Abstract

Occupational skin disorders (OSDs) represent a significant health concern within the industrial environment, contributing to substantial economic burdens in the form of medical interventions, absenteeism, and insurance claims. The following interventions are instrumental in preventing these disorders using industrial hygiene methods, including personal protective equipment (PPE), barrier creams, workplace remodelling, and worker education programming. This review summarizes research about OSD prevention published from 2016 to 2024 that reported the effectiveness of multi-faceted interventions in OSD prevention in sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, and construction. Findings indicate that OSD incidence can be reduced by up to 65% by using combined industrial hygiene measures. Nevertheless, compliance, cost, and long-term effectiveness issues persist. The research highlights the necessity of an integrated approach to prevent OSDs through engineering, administrative, and protective solutions.

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