Marley Reminds Roofers to Stay Safe in the Sun

ROOFING CONTRACTORS are being advised to stay aware of the lasting damage caused by increased sun exposure on site as UK temperatures are heating up this week.

That’s the reminder from roof systems manufacturer, Marley, which points out that while safety measures on site have increased due to COVID-19 – so social distancing and regular hand washing for at least 20 seconds are a must – it is also vital not to neglect sun safety.

Roof sun exposure

According to IOSH’s No Time to Lose campaign, skin cancer caused by workplace settings kill 50 people each year. Around 40% of these malignant melanomas cases involve construction workers.

Many outdoor workers, including roofing contractors, are at a higher risk of long-term skin damage from UV rays, including premature ageing and even the development of skin cancer.

Eye damage

While for many outdoor workers the dangers of increased sun exposure to the skin is already well known, eyes are also highly susceptible to damage by UV rays. In fact, more than 99% of UV radiation is absorbed by the front of the eye, which, over long periods of time, can lead to visible ageing around the eye area, cataracts, skin cancer on the eye lids and even vision loss.

To help ensure outdoor workers remain safe this summer, Marley has five simple tips:

Sun safety on site

1. Don’t leave exposed skin unprotected. Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 25 and remember to reapply regularly throughout the day.
2. Make sure you apply sun cream, even when it is cloudy – up to 80% of dangerous UV rays can pass through a cloudy sky.
3. To reduce the amount of sun cream needed, consider using long sleeved, lightweight, UV-protective PPE.
4. Wear safety sunglasses with UV protection. Look for a UV 400 rating and check they are certified in line with EN 166 (personal eye protection) and EN 172 (sun glare filters for industrial use).
5. As safety sunglasses will only cover part of your face, to prevent skin cancer and ageing, make sure you also apply sunscreen to the rest of your face.