Slap on the suncream

With cancer cases in Ireland projected to increase by one third in the next decade and set to double between 2015 and 2040, Ireland’s construction workers face higher risks of skin cancer for two reasons: they work mostly outside all year and are more exposed to UVR; and most are unaware of the dangers of UVR even in cloudy weather, and less aware of when and how they should protect themselves.

Jeff Snee, Arco’s product and procurement manager, comments: "There is nothing manly about skin cancer. That’s why we are making sun PPE, and particularly using sun cream, a priority this year.”

The company has devised a simple guide to staying safe in the sun this summer:

What to do? A checklist for Ireland’s construction employers and workers

• Be safe in the sun. Treat UVR protection as a health and safety at work priority.
• Check UV levels daily. Protection is needed when the level is 3 or above. Check this daily at  www.cancer.ie/reduce-your-risk/sunsmart/uv-index
• Wear a safety helmet with a hanging flap to protect the back of the neck and ‘wraparound’ sunglasses that protect the sides of the eyes.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Stay out of the sun in the middle of the day and swap jobs regularly to keep out of direct sunlight.
• Check skin regularly for spots or moles that change size, shape or colour or bleed. See your doctor if you find anything unusual. 
• Get protection.  Arco offers a wide variety of sun protection, including the Deb® SunPROTECT range of sun creams, which are perfume-free, non-greasy and water-resistant. These include a 150ml tube for individuals and a one-litre cartridge, plus a dispenser for larger teams. 

Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer, with over 10,000 new cases being diagnosed and over 100 people dying from the disease every year in Ireland. Those who work outdoors, especially construction workers, face the highest risks of contracting the disease, due to the amount of time they spend outside and exposed to ultra violet rays (UVR) throughout the year. Skin cancer accounts for 7% of diagnosed work-related disease among construction workers in the UK.

Research by Nottingham University found that two thirds of construction workers, outside for an average of almost seven hours a day, thought they were not at risk or were unsure if they were. Yet more than half of them had fair skin, giving them a higher risk of developing skin cancer, and almost 60% had had sunburn in the past 12 months. Over 80% had never had their skin checked by a health professional, and more than half never checked for moles or skin damage.