Skin cancer due to occupation is more common than is generally recognized and often shows up years after the occupational exposure. Workers can get skin cancer from exposure to chemical carcinogens, physical burns, and radiation. Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. It occurs when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells (most often caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning beds) triggers mutations, or genetic defects, that lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors. Examples of Carcinogens that target the skin:
Polycyclic hydrocarbons (tar, pitch, shale and mineral oils ore derivatives like creosote)
Coal tar hydrocarbons
Arsenic or arsenic based compounds
Ionizing radiation such as X-Rays
Sunlight
Saps and fine dusts from wood