Heatwave Alert: Sun Can Blind Workers to Skin Cancer Threat

Heatwave

OUTDOOR workers are being warned about the threat of skin cancer as a result of sun exposure, and the dangers of getting sunburn as the UK enters another heatwave this week.

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has warned that sun exposure causes 99% of non-melanoma and up to 65% of malignant melanoma skin cancer yet vulnerable outside workers, such as those employed in construction, remain ignorant of the dangers.

Research into sun exposure in the UK construction sector from Nottingham University showed that two third of those working outside for an average of seven hours a day either thought they were not at risk or didn’t know whether they were or not.

240 Cases Registered Annually

Nearly 60% of construction workers reported having sunburn at least once in the past year, while 40% thought there was no need to wear sunscreen on a cloudy day (up to 80% of UV rays can penetrate clouds).

Most of those surveyed said they didn’t take measures to protect themselves against sun exposure and neither workers or managers saw sun safety as a critical issue, mainly due to the misperception that the UK climate doesn’t pose a high risk of skin cancer.

Other research found that around 50 people die each year in the UK from skin cancer caused by sun exposure at work, with 240 new cases being registered annually.

Ruth Wilkinson, Head of Health and Safety at IOSH said: “The majority of those affected are men and just under half of those diagnosed with malignant melanoma linked to sun exposure at work are under 65.

“At least 1500 new cases of work-related non-melanoma skin cancer are also registered each year in Britain, with 12 deaths.

“This heatwave may be perfectly timed for a holiday but the reality is that the risks to sun-protected holiday-makers aren’t comparable to the risks faced by millions of outdoor workers, who for significant periods of the year are typically exposed to solar radiation for hours at a time, day in, day out.

“The fact remains that in some industry sectors, the risks still aren’t acknowledged or managed as well as they could be.”

Protecting Yourself in a Heatwave

Be sure to check the Ultraviolet (UV) index from the weather forecast and communicate information to relevant workers
Try to minimise exposure to direct sunlight until at least 3pm, if possible
Regularly swap job tasks between workers to ensure everyone in the team can spend some time in the shade
Erect heavy duty outdoor cover or shade – shade can cut UV exposure by 50-plus%
Make sure rest breaks are taken in shaded areas or indoors
Encourage the wearing of long-sleeved, loose-fitting tops and trousers when working outside during months with high UV levels
Wear wide-brimmed hats that shade the face, head, ears and neck, or where safety helmets are worn, use those fitted with ‘Legionnaire-style’ neck flaps
Wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection or use UV-filtering safety goggles with the same level of protection if the work requires physical eye protection
Don’t rely on sunscreen alone for protection
Encourage workers to regularly check their skin for changes such as moles or other skin differences. Detecting the early signs of skin cancer and undergoing early treatment can save lives

Take a look at the IOSH ‘Sun safety in construction’ film.