asked the Minister for Labour if he can state the incidence of dermatitis in industry arising from the materials used; and whether any steps of a preventive nature are being taken to reduce its incidence.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Dermatitis.
45.
Dermatitis is not a notifiable disease under the Factories Act. Employers are not, therefore, required to inform my Department of occurrences of the disease. The factory inspectors, when visiting factories, advise occupiers, where appropriate, on measures to prevent the disease. The main preventive measures are a good standard of personal hygiene by workers and avoidance, where possible, of use of materials which involve risk of getting the disease.
As indicated in the debate on the Estimate for my Department, I am arranging for a survey of occupational health hazards in industry and for the enlistment of qualified medical advice in undertaking the survey.
Having regard to the growing incidence of dermatitis does the Minister not consider that this should be a notifiable disease? Would the Minister indicate the extent to which research is carried out by members of his Department in respect of the growing incidence of dermatitis and what special training is being given to the factory inspectors to track down the sources of dermatitis?
I think I answered the question quite fully. I covered this exhaustively in my Estimate speech to the House.
Will the Minister say if factory inspectors issue directives about proper protective measures, such as barrier creams, to prevent this industrial dermatitis?
They do this.