Sun safety

Anyone who works outside may be concerned about the effects of sun on their skin. We call this solar radiation. Find out why it’s harmful, along with advice on what precautions to take.

• UVA

  This has the longest wavelength and is easily transmitted through the atmosphere (95 per cent of UVA reaches the Earth’s surface). UVA can penetrate the middle layer of our skin (dermis) leading to ageing of skin cells, DNA damage and skin cancers. 

• UVB

  This has a shorter wavelength and some UVB is absorbed by Earth’s ozone layer. Only about 5 per cent of UVB reaches the Earth’s surface. UVB reaches the outer layer of our skin (epidermis) which can damage skin cells, cause sunburn and skin cancers. 

• UVC

  This also has a shorter wavelength and is the highest energy portion of the UV spectrum. UVC does not reach the Earth’s surface, as it is blocked by the ozone layer in the atmosphere. People can be exposed to UVC via artificial sources such as lasers or lamps.

• Lack of awareness

  Awareness of solar radiation risks is generally poor, according to research into sun exposure in the UK construction sector. Two thirds of workers outside for an average of nearly seven hours a day thought they were not at risk or did not know whether they were or not.

  The study – commissioned by IOSH from the University of Nottingham – also found that 59 per cent of construction workers reported having sunburn at least once in the last year (2017). Just over 40 per cent thought there was no need to wear sunscreen on a cloudy day.

  Most did not use measures to protect themselves against sun exposure. Both workers and managers did not see sun safety as an important issue, mainly because of a misperception that the climate in the UK does not pose a high risk of skin cancer. 

  Other research commissioned by IOSH into sun exposure at work in Britain found that malignant melanoma kills nearly 50 people each year, with 240 new cancer cases being registered. The majority affected are men, and just under half those diagnosed with malignant melanoma linked to occupational exposures are under 65.

  These findings, from Imperial College London, are echoed in studies from around the world, including North America, Australia and other European countries. In addition, at least 1,500 new cases of work-related non-melanoma skin cancer are also registered each year in Britain, with 12 deaths.

  Imperial College’s research shows that 55 per cent of work-related non-melanoma skin cancer cases and 42 per cent of malignant melanoma cancer cases involve construction workers. Other key sectors include agriculture, public administration, defence and land transport. 

• Other health concerns from sun exposure 

  UV exposure can also cause other health conditions, such as: 

  • sunburn from the sun or artificial devices
  • premature ageing of the skin and wrinkles, liver spots, actinic keratosis and solar elastosis
  • weakening of the immune system, which can lead to reactivation of herpes (triggered by sun exposure) and cause vaccines to be less effective
  • eye conditions, including: 
  • inflammation of the cornea 
  • cataracts 
  • eye cancer 
  • photokeratitis and photoconjunctivitis 
  • pterygium and pinguecula. 

  All of the conditions can impair vision. 

  Some medications can make people more sensitive to UV exposure and some medical conditions can be made more severe.

• How dangerous is solar radiation for your organisation?

  This depends on what people involved with your organisation do, and the country you operate in. 

  Exposure will vary according to: 

  • the time of day – strongest between 10am and 4pm
  • the time of year – stronger during the spring and summer seasons
  • the latitude (distance from the equator) – UV exposure increases the closer you are located to the equator
  • the altitude – the higher the elevation, the more UV reaches the location
  • the clouds – these can cause various effects, but UV can still reach the ground when clouds are present
  • the surrounding surfaces near the working area – for example, water, snow, ice, sand, pavements and grass can reflect UV, increasing the exposure
  • the air concentration – the ozone layer in the Earth’s atmosphere can filter out some UV 
  • what substances are being used – some substances can increase photosensitivity. 

  An individual worker’s skin type is particularly important. Skin type affects how skin reacts in the sun and how likely individuals are to develop skin cancer. Remember that skin type is genetic – it does not vary according to how ‘tanned’ someone is. The Fitzpatrick skin type scale is used to classify skin types based on six categories, I to VI, by medical professionals. 

  Those that fall into categories I or II skin are at a higher risk of developing skin cancer when exposed to UV. However, it is important to remember that anyone exposed to UV can develop skin cancer regardless of their skin type. 

• Which industries are affected by exposure to solar radiation?

  Anyone working outside in any industry can be affected by solar radiation, for example:

  • agriculture and rural
  • construction, dock and maritime
  • grounds and landscape management
  • outdoor leisure
  • entertainment and professional sports
  • refuse collection and recycling
  • road working.
• Which occupations are affected by solar radiation exposure?

  Examples of job roles that can often be exposed to solar radiation include:

  • construction workers
  • dock and maritime workers
  • farmworkers and other rural workers
  • grounds and landscape workers
  • outdoor leisure and entertainment workers
  • painters and decorators
  • postal workers
  • professional outdoor-based sportspeople
  • railroad workers
  • refuse and recycling collectors
  • road workers
  • roof workers.

• Plan

  Appoint a competent person to manage solar exposure risks

  Mitigating solar radiation exposure is achievable and does not have to be costly. The responsible person should be competent to undertake the task and start by developing a plan to assess the risks of exposure. Consider these points.

  • Do any workers regularly work outside?
  • What time of day or year do they work outside?
  • Are workers exposed to higher levels of solar radiation for significant periods? Remember that even on cloudy days there can be enough radiation to damage the skin. Between 30 and 40 per cent of UV can penetrate overcast skies, and up to 80 per cent gets through sky that is half covered in clouds. The strength of solar UV is not connected to temperature and can bounce off reflective surfaces such as metal, water, snow, ice, pavements, some concrete finishes and grass.
  • Where are the workers located geographically? Consider their altitude, latitude and the ozone content in the area.
  • Are workers exposed to any photosensitising substances?
  • Are workers protected from the effects of solar radiation?
• Do

  Assess organisational solar exposure risks

  Consider who might be exposed to solar radiation throughout the organisation. What tasks will they be doing that may expose them to UV? 

  Share solar exposure risks with workers and contractors

  Communicate the risks to those who are potentially exposed and involved with outdoor working tasks. As good practice, whether it is law or not in your country, workers should be informed of the level of risk to health and what precautions they must implement to keep themselves and others safe. Contractors should also be informed of solar exposure risks.

  Introduce controls to reduce solar radiation exposure

  This will include:

  • moving outdoor work to an inside setting, if possible
  • reducing exposure by providing shade, covers and cooling systems. Reflective surfaces can also be covered or moved
  • implementing administrative controls such as changing work schedules, so work is carried out when UV levels are lower
  • providing suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) where required, such as sunscreen or clothing, to protect workers.

  Provide training and clear instructions on solar safety

  It is good practice to provide solar exposure awareness training to workers whose activity may involve working outdoors. They should be given information about the risks and how exposure can be prevented. 

  Research we commissioned into the United Kingdom construction sector, focusing on large construction companies, found more than 70 per cent of workers had never had any sort of training on the risks of working in the sun.

• Check

  Investigate incidents linked to solar exposure

  Solar exposure incidents must be investigated to identify causes. The investigation must check if:

  • the solar exposure plan was accurate and shared
  • if local procedures were implemented and followed correctly
  • whether those exposed had been informed of the risks associated with solar exposure
  • whether those exposed had been provided with relevant training and PPE.

  A note should be made in the personal records of those exposed with solar-related injuries. Records should include when the incident happened, how long it lasted, and the outcome of the exposure.

  Consider submitting exposed workers to an organisation health monitoring and surveillance programme.

  Monitor controls and arrange health surveillance

  Monitoring controls is important to check whether they are suitable and working to eliminate or reduce solar exposure.

  Health monitoring can also be important. Workers should undergo regular health checks by a competent medical professional. This may be through occupational health.

• Act

  Review and apply lessons learned

  After any incident and investigation, learning lessons must be recognised and applied to the solar exposure plan and health and safety management system. This will help to prevent and reduce the chance of exposures recurring.

  The solar exposure plan should be reviewed regularly. This will ensure it remains as accurate as possible. Good practice would be to complete reviews on an annual basis or sooner, if required. For example, a more frequent review may be required if a greater amount of work must be completed outdoors, as more workers may be at risk.