This survey asked 4500 Australian workers to estimate the number of times they washed their hands while at work and how long their hands were immersed in liquids while at work. The survey also asked about exposure to chemicals and about the provision of controls to avoid or reduce the health consequences of wet work.

This report provides a detailed description of Australian workers who were exposed to high levels of wet work. Of these, female workers, workers of lower occupational skill and those workers who also reported exposure to chemicals were more likely to report high levels of wet work. Workers in the health and community services and the Accommodation, cafes and restaurants industries were most likely to report high wet work exposure. These findings are placed in an international context and the implications for work health and safety policy are discussed.