Frizeri zbog stalnog kontakta s vodom i štetnim kemikalijama ubrajaju se u visokorizičnu skupinu za razvoj profesionalnih bolesti kože (PBK) koje se u 90 % slučajeva odnose na iritativne ili alergijske kontaktne dermatitise šaka i podlaktica. Razdoblje od početka izloženosti kožnim štetnostima do pojave prvih simptoma na koži veoma je kratak, prosječno 2,1 godinu, što znači da oni mogu biti prisutni već tijekom školovanja. Cilj ovog rada je procijeniti učinkovitost zdravstvenih pregleda prije upisa u srednju školu kao alata za primarnu prevenciju PKB među frizerskim učenicima.Istraživanje je provedeno 2015. godine u strukovnoj školi u Zagrebu. Svih 128 frizerskih učenika trećih razreda pozvano je da sudjeluju u istraživanju, a odazvala se 101 učenica prosječne dobi 17 godina. Podaci su prikupljeni zdravstvenom anketom s pitanjima o načinu i sadržaju pregleda koji su učenici obavili prije upisa u školu.Osamdeset devet (88 %) učenica navodi da su prije upisa u školu pregledane od strane liječnika: 48 (54 %) od specijaliste medicine rada, 5 (6 %) specijaliste/liječnika obiteljske medicine, 11 (12 %) specijaliste školske medicine, a 19 (21 %) učenica se ne sjeća specijaliste. Od 78 učenica koje su se prisjetile sadržaja pregleda kod 48 (62 %) pregledana je koža, a 54 (69 %) je upitano za prisutnost alergija.Rezultati ukazuju na manjkavost u provođenju prethodnih pregleda za upis u strukovne škole. Posljedično se u školovanje propuštaju učenici s postojećim kožnim tegobama koje bi rad u rizičnim zanimanjima dodatno pogoršao ili pospješio nastanak PBK. Postoji potreba za osnaživanjem i standardizacijom sadržaja pregleda prije upisa u strukovne škole kao prve faze profesionalne orijentacije i selekcije te dugotrajnog očuvanja radne sposobnosti.; Due to constant contact with water and harmful chemicals, hairdressers are at high risk of developing occupational skin diseases (OSD), which in 90% of cases are manifested as irritative or allergic contact dermatitis of hands and forearms. The period from the beginning of exposure to onset of skin symptoms is very short averaging 2.1 years, meaning that symptoms may already be present during apprenticeship. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of pre-school medical examinations as primary prevention tool for OSD among hairdressing apprentices.This survey was conducted in 2015 at a vocational school for hairdressers in Zagreb. All 128 third-grade hairdressing apprentices were invited to participate, and 101 female apprentices with an average age of 17 responded. Data were collected using survey questions regarding the content of the medical examination that pupils underwent before enrolment in the programme. Eighty-nine (88%) apprentices stated they were examined by a physician before enrolment: 48 (54%) by an occupational medicine specialist, 5 (6%) by a general practitioner, 11 (12%) by a school medicine specialist and 19 (21%) did not remember the specialist. Out of 78 apprentices who recounted the details of the examination, 48 (62%) had their skin examined and 54 (69%) were asked if they had any allergies.Results indicate a weakness in conducting health examinations for vocational schools. Consequently, pupils with pre-existing skin problems are allowed to choose high-risk occupations which may worsen their symptoms or facilitate development of OSD. There is a need to strengthen and standardize the content of the examinations prior to enrolment in schools as the first step in vocational guidance, choice of profession, and long-term preservation of working ability.