§ 108175 Definition Of Strong Sensitizer

• •A 'strong sensitizer' causes an allergic or light‑triggered reaction that shows up again when the substance is used later.
• •The department must decide if a substance is a strong sensitizer by looking at how often reactions happen and how serious they are.
• •Only after this review can the department officially designate a substance as a strong sensitizer.

A worker repeatedly uses a skin cleaner that contains a chemical the department has labeled as a strong sensitizer, and develops an itchy rash each time they use it.

Because the chemical has been designated a strong sensitizer, the law says the worker’s allergic reaction is expected and the employer must take steps to protect them, such as providing safer alternatives or protective gear.