Are you taking the necessary precautions for the welfare of your site workers skin?
All companies with outdoor workers including construction, councils and gardeners have a legal obligation to protect their workforce against UV radiation.
According to IOSH 90% of skin cancer cases can be prevented by undertaking simple measures such as keeping your top on or applying the right level of sun protection at regular intervals throughout the day.
In 2018, the hot temperatures topped records set in 1976 to become England’s hottest summer on record ... and with the UK recently recording the 2 hottest February days on record our weather is becoming increasingly more unpredictable. This is why it is important for companies to ACT NOW.
FixFirm recommend that businesses with employees exposed to the sun should place wall mounted Sun Protection Stations at easily accessible areas of their sites, that displays the day's UV Level and provide workers with Factor 30 suncream protection....
FixFirm offer a wide range of different sun protection products, but please see below for our main recommendation...
Deb UV Starter Pack - Product Code: Z105-0734
- Sun solution pack Pre-assembled with:
- 1 UV Skin Safety Centre
- 1 litre lockable dispenser
- 1 litre SunPROTECT cartridge - Factor 30 lotion
- A mirror for easy application
- 1 Outdoor Workers Guide
- A UV dial to display the daily local UV index lev
- 1 Site Poster
- 5 Employee Information Cards
HSE Guidance Notes:
Below is some futher information from the Health & Safety Executive on Skin Safety at work, with PDF downloads also provided for extra guidance.
What is the problem?
Too much sunlight is harmful to your skin. A tan is a sign that the skin has been damaged. The damage is caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight.
Who is at risk?
If work keeps you outdoors for a long time your skin could be exposed to more sun than is healthy for you. Outdoor workers that could be at risk include farm or construction workers, market gardeners, outdoor activity workers and some public service workers.
You should take particular care if you have:
- fair or freckled skin that doesn’t tan, or goes red or burns before it tans;
- red or fair hair and light coloured eyes;
- a large number of moles.
People of all skin colours should take care to avoid damage to the eyes, overheating and dehydration.
What are the harmful effects?
In the short term, even mild reddening of the skin from sun exposure is a sign of damage. Sunburn can blister the skin and make it peel.
Longer term problems can arise. Too much sun speeds up ageing of the skin, making it leathery, mottled and wrinkled. The most serious effect is an increased chance of developing skin cancer.
What can you do to protect yourself?
- Keep your top on.
- Wear a hat with a brim or a flap that covers the ears and the back of the neck.
- Stay in the shade whenever possible, during your breaks and especially at lunch time.
- Use a high factor sunscreen of at least SPF15 on any exposed skin.
- Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
- Check your skin regularly for any unusual moles or spots.
- See a doctor promptly if you find anything that is changing in shape, size or colour, itching or bleeding.
Where can you get further information?
The following free leaflets have been produced by HSE:
Keep your top on: Health risks from working in the sun
Sun protection: advice for employers of outdoor workers
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