title: Occupational risk factors for skin cancer and the availability of sun protection measures at German outdoor workplaces.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Social Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Dermatology, University Hospital, Ruprecht Karls University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ruppert
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Social Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Dermatology, University Hospital, Ruprecht Karls University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ofenloch
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.|University Hospital Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Surber
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Social Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Dermatology, University Hospital, Ruprecht Karls University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. thomas.diepgen@med.uni-heidelberg.de.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Diepgen
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012574:Schools; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013334:Students; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D017132:Workplace / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents
keywords: Outdoor occupation; Prevention; Skin cancer; Sun protection