In 2021 and 2022, the number of recognized cases of occupational diseases among working-age people increased significantly due to COVID-19 infections. In 2022, the number of recognized occupational disease cases among working-age people was approximately 2.7 times higher than in 2020.

There are region-specific differences in the incidence of occupational diseases, which are explained by factors such as regional differences in industry structure, but there may also be regional differences in the examination practices and diagnosis of occupational diseases.

Traditionally, most recognized cases of occupational diseases in working-age people have been recorded in men. However, in the 2018—2022 review period, most recognized occupational diseases were found in women. This is explained by the fact that the majority of COVID-19 infections recognized as occupational diseases were recorded in women. By age group, recognized cases of occupational diseases among working-age people were recorded particularly in people over 50. Biological exposure agents were the most common causes of occupational disease when examined by exposure group.

At the main category level of the industry classification (Industry Classification 2008), the number of recorded occupational disease cases among working-age people was highest in 2018-2022 in the industry categories

  • human health and social work activities,
  • manufacturing and
  • public administration and defence; compulsory social security.

In 2018–2022, the highest number of recognized occupational diseases among working-age people were recorded at the 2-digit level of the occupational classification (Occupational classification 2010)

  • personal care workers,
  • health associate professionals and
  • building and related trades workers (excluding electricians).

If incidence was examined in relation to every one thousand employed persons, market-oriented skilled agricultural workers, along with employees in food processing, wood working, garment and other craft and related trades workers.

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Recognized occupational diseases

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2018-2022
Cases by occupational disease, exposure agent and occupation

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Occupational diseases top 10
05001000150020002500COVID-19 -infectionCOVID-19 -infection: 2697 cases 1.163 cases per 1000 workersNoise-induced hearing lossNoise-induced hearing loss: 670 cases 0.289 cases per 1000 workersAllergic contact dermatitisAllergic contact dermatitis: 575 cases 0.248 cases per 1000 workersIrritant contact dermatitisIrritant contact dermatitis: 456 cases 0.197 cases per 1000 workersOccupational asthmaOccupational asthma: 220 cases 0.095 cases per 1000 workersCryptosporidiosisCryptosporidiosis: 193 cases 0.083 cases per 1000 workersPleural plaquesPleural plaques: 172 cases 0.074 cases per 1000 workersOccupational rhinitisOccupational rhinitis: 137 cases 0.059 cases per 1000 workersHand-arm vibration syndromeHand-arm vibration syndrome: 130 cases 0.056 cases per 1000 workersScabiesScabies: 123 cases 0.053 cases per 1000 workersNumber of cases
Exposure agents
0100020003000Biological exposure agentsBiological exposure agents: 3100 cases 1.336 cases per 1000 workersChemical exposure agentsChemical exposure agents: 1079 cases 0.465 cases per 1000 workersNoiseNoise: 670 cases 0.289 cases per 1000 workersPlant- or animal-based exposure agentsPlant- or animal-based exposure agents: 355 cases 0.153 cases per 1000 workersRepetitive work and unphysiological work positionsRepetitive work and unphysiological work positions: 248 cases 0.107 cases per 1000 workersAsbestos and other silicate materialsAsbestos and other silicate materials: 190 cases 0.082 cases per 1000 workersOther or unknown factorsOther or unknown factors: 142 cases 0.061 cases per 1000 workersVibrationVibration: 130 cases 0.056 cases per 1000 workersExposure to moisture damage and mouldExposure to moisture damage and mould: 71 cases 0.031 cases per 1000 workersOther dusts and vapoursOther dusts and vapours: 5 cases 0.002 cases per 1000 workersNumber of cases
Occupations top 10
05001000Personal care workersPersonal care workers: 1347 casesHealth associate professionalsHealth associate professionals: 813 casesBuilding and related trades workers, excluding electriciansBuilding and related trades workers, excluding electricians: 685 casesMarket-oriented skilled agricultural workersMarket-oriented skilled agricultural workers: 612 casesMetal, machinery and related trades workersMetal, machinery and related trades workers: 485 casesTeaching professionalsTeaching professionals: 331 casesStationary plant and machine operatorsStationary plant and machine operators: 286 casesPersonal service workersPersonal service workers: 250 casesFood processing, wood working, garment and other craft and related trades workersFood processing, wood working, garment and other craft and related trades workers: 159 casesCleaners and helpersCleaners and helpers: 148 casesNumber of cases
Occupations top 10, relative
0510Market-oriented skilled agricultural workersMarket-oriented skilled agricultural workers: 13.600 cases per 1000 workers in this occupationFood processing, wood working, garment and other craft and related trades workersFood processing, wood working, garment and other craft and related trades workers: 9.353 cases per 1000 workers in this occupationHealth associate professionalsHealth associate professionals: 7.391 cases per 1000 workers in this occupationBuilding and related trades workers, excluding electriciansBuilding and related trades workers, excluding electricians: 7.287 cases per 1000 workers in this occupationPersonal care workersPersonal care workers: 7.203 cases per 1000 workers in this occupationMetal, machinery and related trades workersMetal, machinery and related trades workers: 6.063 cases per 1000 workers in this occupationStationary plant and machine operatorsStationary plant and machine operators: 4.028 cases per 1000 workers in this occupationMarket-oriented skilled forestry, fishery and hunting workersMarket-oriented skilled forestry, fishery and hunting workers: 3.200 cases per 1000 workers in this occupationHandicraft and printing workersHandicraft and printing workers: 3.000 cases per 1000 workers in this occupationElectrical and electronic trades workersElectrical and electronic trades workers: 2.667 cases per 1000 workers in this occupationRelative number of cases

Occupational disease-specific examination of data from the year 2018-2022

COVID-19 infection

COVID-19 infection is an infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Viewed by occupation, the number of cases and incidence in proportion to those employed was the highest in

  • personal care workers,
  • health associate professionals and
  • teaching professionals.

Noise-induced hearing loss

Noise-induced hearing loss is a cochlear hearing impairment caused by prolonged, repetitive or intense sudden exposure to noise.

Viewed by occupation, the highest number of noise-induced hearing losses occurred in

  • metal, machinery and related trades workers,
  • building and related trades workers, excluding electricians and
  • stationary plant and machine operators.

Metal, machinery and related trades workers also had the highest incidence of cases in proportion to those employed.

Allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis

Allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis, both occupational skin diseases, were among the most common occupational diseases.

Allergic contact dermatitis is caused by rubber chemicals, epoxy chemicals, preservatives (e.g. isothiazolinones), metals and acrylates, among other things.

Viewed by occupation, allergic contact dermatitis occurred particularly in

  • building and related trades workers (excluding electricians),
  • personal service workers (e.g. hairdressers and cosmetologists) and
  • metal, machinery and related trades workers.

Building and related trades workers, excluding electricians, also had the highest incidence in proportion to those employed per occupation.

Wet work is the most common cause of irritant contact dermatitis. When viewed by occupation, irritant contact dermatitis was recognized especially in

  • personal care workers,
  • personal service workers and
  • health associate professionals.

Personal service workers had the highest incidence of cases in proportion to those employed.

Occupational asthma and rhinitis

Occupational asthmas and rhinitides were most commonly caused by sensitizing (that is, allergizing) factors. Typical sensitizing factors are animal- and plant-based exposure agents, such as cows, flour and animal feed. Moisture damage asthmas as well as irritant-induced asthmas and rhinitides are also recognized as occupational diseases.

The highest number of cases of occupational asthma and rhinitis occurred in

  • market-oriented skilled agricultural workers.

The incidence of occupational asthma in relation to those employed was highest among market-oriented skilled agricultural workers, while the incidence of occupational rhinitis in relation to those employed was highest among food processing, wood working, garment and other craft and related trades workers.

Cryptosporidiosis

Cryptosporidiosis is a diarrheal disease caused by the protozoa Cryptosporidium, which can be transmitted to humans from production animals, for example.

Viewed by occupation, cases were recored overall and in relation to those employed especially among

  • market-oriented skilled agricultural workers.

Pleural plaques caused by asbestos

A significant proportion of asbestos-related diseases are recognised in people over the age of 65, but pleural plaques are still recognised also in working-age people. Pleural plaques are caused by exposure to asbestos in past decades when asbestos was commonly used in construction materials, for example.

Viewed by occupation, the number of cases of pleural plaques and incidence in proportion to those employed was the highest in

  • building and related trades workers (excluding electricians).

Hand-arm vibration syndrome

Hand-arm vibration syndrome is caused by long-term exposure to hand-arm vibration (resulting from the use of an angle grinder, drilling machine, chainsaw or nail gun or other such tools). Hand-arm vibration syndrome is connected with white finger syndrome and/or neurosensory symptoms (such as numbing and clumsiness of the hands).

Viewed by occupation, the highest number of cases of hand-arm vibration syndrome occurred in

  • building and related trades workers, excluding electricians and
  • metal, machinery and related trades workers.

The highest incidence per occupation in proportion to those employed was among market-oriented skilled forestry, fishery and hunting workers.

Scabies

Scabies, which is classified as a skin infection, is caused by the scabies mite. Scabies occurs frequently in the form of epidemics in long-term care facilities.

Viewed by occupation, the number of cases and incidence in proportion to those employed was the highest in

  • personal care workers and
  • health associate professionals.

Most occupational diseases could be prevented

Exposure to the causative agents of occupational diseases continues in work life. That is why it is important to invest in the development of a safe work environment and the prevention of occupational diseases

A significant portion of occupational diseases could be prevented by way of up-to-date workplace risk assessments, the development of working conditions, co-operation between the workplace and occupational health services, correct working practices, communication and the use of personal protective equipment.