All those who spend the majority of their working day are at risk from a silent threat to the health of their skin. Without adequate UV protection, they are putting themselves at risk. Working outdoors can lead to one death and around five new cases of melanoma skin cancer each week. These findings are unsurprising, as IOSH’s No Time To Lose Solar campaign revealed that despite working outside for up to seven hours a day, only 59% of construction employees regularly applied sunscreen.

Understanding the threat

UV light is invisible, and there are three distinct types: UVA, UVB and UVC. UV rays are not affected by sunlight or temperature, and can’t be seen or felt, meaning outdoor workers are often unaware that they are at risk.

It has also been suggested that UVB wavelengths can be beneficial to employees if exposure is minimal and controlled. They can kick off the chemical and metabolic chain reaction that produces Vitamin D. According to Professor Andrew Wright, consultant dermatologist at Bradford Teaching Hospital's NHS Foundation Trust: "Fifteen to twenty minutes of unprotected sun exposure, without skin reddening or burning, per day should be sufficient for most people to produce the required Vitamin D level.”

Duty of Care

Employers have a duty of care to protect their employees from hazards in the workplace and according to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines, UV radiation should be considered an occupational hazard for people who work outdoors. However, a study conducted by IOSH in conjunction with the University of Nottingham revealed that 70% of employees had never received training on the risks of working outside. It is a problem which is becoming increasingly prevalent, and one which health & safety managers must help solve.

Protecting workers

When it comes to choosing an effective solution for outdoor workers, it is crucial that health & safety managers choose a ‘broad spectrum’ sunscreen which provides protection against UVA, UVB and UVC rays. 

With regards to application, for the average sized adult, it is recommended that employees apply at least one teaspoon of sunscreen to each arm, leg, front of body, back of body and face (including ears and neck). Where possible, it should be applied to clean, dry skin 15 minutes before the initial exposure, and reapplied liberally every two to three hours. For industrial workplaces, it is also crucial that the sunscreen chosen is both water and sweat-resistant, to ensure that the wearer remains protected. Additionally, it is important for sunscreen to offer quick skin absorption to ensure that the hand dexterity with tools isn’t negatively impacted.

For outdoor workers who spend most of their day outside, it is recommended that a high Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is used – either minimum SPF30 or SPF50 is advised. Sunscreens with a lower SPF such as SPF15 will only be able to filter out 93% of incoming UVB rays, whereas SPF30 and SPF50 sunscreens are able to filter out 97% and 98% of all incoming rays respectively. 

Help and guidance in incorporating UV protection in workplaces is widely available. It is advised that companies conduct a detailed internal risk assessment and then implement protection methods. Through implementing employee training and introducing sunscreen dispensers, employers can ensure that workplaces contain more informed employees, who are happier, healthier and who will have minimised their risk of being diagnosed with skin cancer.