Although the causal relationship between occupational solar UV irradiation and the occurrence of squamous cell carcinomas of the skin is proven pathophysiologically as well as epidemiologically, there exists so far no official occupational disease number in the appendix of the German ordinance on occupational diseases (Berufskrankheitenverordnung (BKV)). For the introduction of a new disease into the appendix 1 of the BKV as well as for the recognition of this disease as a “virtually” occupational disease according to § 9 (2) of the 7th book of the German Social Code (SGB VII) it is necessary that based on medical knowledge, this disease is caused by certain factors to which certain groups, by virtue of their insured work activity are exposed to a greater degree than the remainder of the population. To a “greater degree” does not refer to the exposure, but to the risk of developing the disease. Therefore, for the recognition of a squamous cell carcinoma of the skin as a new occupational disease it is a prerequisite to investigate, based on scientific literature, whether a group of people defined in this sense can be distinguished from the remaining population. Based on the available scientific literature it can be concluded that an additional occupational UV exposure by 40 % at the area of the tumour doubles the risk for squamous cell carcinoma. Therefore skin cancer can be considered as occupationally induced.
