Working In The Sun And How To Comply With Working Outdoors Safety Regulations

UVA rays age skin cells and can damage their DNA. These rays are linked to long-term skin damage, such as wrinkles, but they are also thought to play a role in some skin cancers. Most tanning beds give off large amounts of UVA, which has been found to increase skin cancer risk.

UVB rays have slightly more energy than UVA rays. They can directly damage skin cells’ DNA and are the primary rays that cause sunburns. These are thought to cause most skin cancers, making working in the sun all day precarious.

UVC rays have more energy than the other types of UV rays, but they don’t get through our atmosphere and are not in sunlight. They are generally not a cause of skin cancer for those working outdoors in the heat.

Both UVA and UVB rays can damage skin and cause skin cancer. UVB rays are a more potent cause of at least some skin cancers, but based on what’s known today, there are no safe UV rays.

The pattern of exposure may also be significant. For example, frequent sunburns in childhood may increase the risk for some types of skin cancer many years or even decades later, especially for individuals exposed to working under the sun.

Skin cancers are one result of getting too much sun. However, there are other effects as well. Sunburn and tanning are the short-term results of too much exposure to UV rays and are signs of skin damage.

Employers must maximise sun safety at work for all their outside workers and introduce control measures to reduce exposure, such as choosing the appropriate clothing for working in the sun and all relevant protective equipment and skin care products. They also must communicate and advise employees on the need for UV sunscreen for working outdoors and how to check for early signs of skin damage, changes or abnormalities.

To protect employees in hot weather working conditions, employers must consider protection from the sun and whether workers need protection from heat stress. The first part of this information section looks at sun protection, and the second looks at heat stress.

When working in the sun, employers should ensure staff have clothes for working in hot weather to stay safe in the sun.

Long-sleeved, closely woven shirts and long trousers or skirts provide the best protection. Ultraviolet radiation will also get through if you can see light through your clothes.

If shorts are worn, a pair that approaches the knee will offer more protection than a shorter pair.

A collar will protect the skin on the back of the neck. If much bending is required, have a hat for working in the sun, which has a flap on the back, keeping the sun off the back of the neck. A broad-brimmed hat will protect the face, neck, and ears well. Hard hats can have a flap or extra brim fitted to them.

Provide sunscreen for working outdoors. Use an SPF 15 or higher water-resistant sunscreen before going outdoors and reapply every two hours. If sweating freely, reapply more often. Choose a gel, stick or lotion form of sunscreen according to personal preference; no one form is more effective. Ensure the hands’ face, lips, neck, ears, arms and back are protected.

Ensure there is no adverse skin reaction to the products you apply; check on the product label.

Ultraviolet radiation bounces off water, sand, concrete, light-coloured surfaces and snow. People working outside in the sun and near these areas will need extra care. Wear sunglasses or safety glasses that filter out UV rays to protect your eyes.

When looking to protect staff when working in the sun, the risk assessment must consider all the factors of prolonged working outside; it may not always be the case that it is a sunny day and even on a cloudy day, the sun’s rays can present a problem regarding skin cancer.

Organise the job so tasks requiring working in the sun all day get done in a shaded or covered area. It may be possible to erect a shelter or use trees and buildings for protection. Consider if some of the work can be undertaken in the morning to avoid the higher sun intensity.

For break periods, a shady spot should be made available, and employees should be reminded that even during break periods, sunbathing may still give rise to sunburn and heat stress.

The amount of UV exposure a person gets depends on the strength of the rays, the length of time the skin is exposed and whether the skin is protected with clothing or sunscreen.

Heat stress is not just a summer issue; given higher ambient air temperatures, it may occur more often. Heat stress can affect individuals differently; some people are more susceptible to it than others.

Typical symptoms of heat stress include:

• An inability to concentrate.
• Muscle cramps.
• Heat rash.
• Severe thirst – a late symptom of heat stress.
• Heat exhaustion – fatigue, giddiness, nausea, headache, moist skin.
• Heat stroke – hot, dry skin, confusion, convulsions and eventual loss of consciousness. This is the most severe disorder and can result in death if not detected at an early stage.

• Control the temperature.
• Provide mechanical aids.
• Prevent dehydration.
• Provide personal protective equipment and training for staff.
• Identify and assess who is at risk, e.g. vulnerable persons.

If you suspect that you or someone else is suffering from heat-related illness:

• Seek immediate medical attention.
• Move to a cool, shaded area.
• Loosen or remove heavy clothing.
• Drink water.
• Fan and mist with water.