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Our model builder
knows the rules of
sun safety
With all good things in life there is a catch. Too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can cause skin damage including sunburn, blistering, skin ageing and cataracts, and in the long term can lead to skin cancer. Every year, 7,000 people are diagnosed with malignant melanoma, and around 1,700 die from it and some experts’ fear that the number of sufferers in the UK with skin cancer could treble by 2035.
This problem is magnified by global warming, which has brought about changes in our weather system. Some academics suggest each 1% loss of the total ozone can lead to a 3-5% increase in skin cancer cases. Yet as a nation we are still reluctant to protect ourselves and heed the warnings. It is now reported that the UK has overtaken Australia in the amount of deaths caused by skin cancer. Perhaps one reason for this is that we don’t realise the danger of the sun in this country and presume it is not strong enough to burn.
Construction workers are regularly exposed to the sun. In fact, on average, they receive 3-4 times more UV exposure each year than people who work indoors. This means they are at greater risk of skin cancer unless they take steps to protect themselves. Some people are more liable to skin cancers than others. People with white skin are at most risk and should take particular care if they 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 – over 100 in young people, or over 50 in older people
Workers of Asian or Afro- Caribbean origin are at lesser risk of skin cancer from sunlight but people of all skin colours can still suffer from dehydration and overheating.
The law
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 employers have a duty to provide their employees with a safe workplace. Employers must recognise the dangers of exposure to the sun’s UV radiation and act accordingly as with any other occupational hazards. This means conducting a risk assessment as required under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. The five steps to a risk assessment as recommended by the HSE include:
• Step 1 : Identify the hazards; exposure to UV radiation
• Step 2 : Decide who is at risk; employees
• Step 3 : Evaluate the risks; adequacy of controls, further controls needed
• Step 4 : Record your findings; keep a written record of your actions
• Step 5 : Review your assessment; ensure the assessment still applies
The Protection
Once they have learned about the potential danger of sun exposure, workers at construction sites have to take real steps to protect themselves, and employers have to help them along. Effective steps to minimise the risk of exposure to the sun are as follows;
• Cover up, ensuring hats and shirts are worn. Choose lightly woven clothing materials for greater protection from the sun’s rays
• Because the sun is most dangerous between 11am and 3pm, extra precautions should be taken during that period. Arranging the schedule so that employees work early in the morning or late in the day, erecting temporary shelters or moving some tasks indoors are measures that can often be taken without too much difficulty
• Apply a high factor sunscreen, at least 15SPF to all areas of the body exposed to direct sunlight. Sunscreen can also be applied under clothing to minimise the risk of sun penetration through fabric. The application of sunscreen should be repeated every 2-3 hours or more often if sweating. Special lip balm helps protect the lips; many cancers develop on the lower lip
• Ensure that work breaks are spent in the shade and whenever possible avoid working in direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm, particularly on strong sunny days
• Ensure plenty of water is made available and drink to avoid dehydration
• Construction workers should also protect their eyes by wearing sunglasses
Construction workers should be advised to check their skin on a regular basis for any changes in its appearance such as unusual moles or spots. Any concerns should be reported to a doctor or occupational physician.
The following sources provide further information;
HSE’s leaflet Keep Your Top On [80kb] (INDG147(rev1), 06/05) available from HSE Books.
HSE’s leaflet Sun protection: advice for employers of outdoor workers (INDG337, 04/01)
available from HSE Books.
www.hse.gov.uk/temperature
www.cancerresearch.org/sunsmart
Nick wilson is Health and Safety Advisor at national law firm Weightmans.
