Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue in railway transport workers: hygienic aspects

Introduction. Extending professional longevity, preventing diseases and improving the quality of life of railway transport workers are the priority areas of activity of RZhD-Meditcina medical institutions. However, the infl uence of production factors on the prevalence and course of skin and subcutaneous tissue diseases in employees of this important branch of the national economy has not yet been suffi  ciently studied.

The aim of the study is to study the hygienic features of working conditions in railway transport workers that aff ect the course of skin and subcutaneous tissue diseases.

Materials and methods. Materials for hygienic and statistical research were sanitary and hygienic characteristics of working conditions of railway transport workers and statistical reports of the private healthcare institution «Clinical hospital» RZhD-Meditcina « of Barnaul for 2014-2018. A retrospective analysis of the incidence of temporary disability, the number of days of disability, and the number of exacerbations in employees of harmful professions in the Altai region of the West Siberian railway with chronic skin and subcutaneous tissue diseases was conducted.

Results. According to the sanitary and hygienic characteristics of working conditions, the most unfavorable working conditions of all railway specialties are employees of locomotive crews and track fi tt ers. Combined eff ects of chemical, meteorological, and physical factors of the production environment and the severity of the labor process belong to class 3 (with a high risk of occupational diseases). Th is leads to a signifi cantly higher (p=0.010944) number of days of disability (27.8±0.83) and the number of exacerbations of chronic skin diseases in railway transport workers than in the rest of the adult population not in contact with occupational hazards (25.32±1.2).

Conclusions. Th e combined impact of factors of the production environment and the severity of the labor process, despite the systematic comprehensive prevention, leads to a more severe course of chronic dermatoses in railway transport workers. 

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