The first such disease to be recognised, squamous-cell carcinoma of the scrotum, was identified in chimney sweep boys by Sir Percival Pott in 1775[citation needed].
[4] Occupational skin diseases and conditions are generally caused by chemicals and having wet hands for long periods while at work.
[7] Common irritants include detergents, acids, alkalies, oils, organic solvents and reducing agents.
[8] The acute form of this dermatitis develops on exposure of the skin to a strong irritant or caustic chemical.
The chronic form occurs as a result of repeated exposure of the skin to weak irritants over long periods of time.
[11] Clinical manifestations of the contact dermatitis are also modified by external factors such as environmental factors (mechanical pressure, temperature, and humidity) and predisposing characteristics of the individual (age, sex, ethnic origin, preexisting skin disease, atopic skin diathesis, and anatomic region exposed.
[17] They include: Bernardino Ramazzini in his book, dated 1700, De Morbis Artificum Diatriba, outlined the health hazards of chemicals, dust, metals, repetitive or violent motions, odd postures, and other disease-causative agents encountered by workers in more than fifty occupations.
Occupational disease prevention, in general legally regulated, is part of good supply chain management and enables companies to design and ensure supply chain social compliance schemes as well as monitor their implementation to identify and prevent occupational disease hazards.