Clearview National August 2019 - Issue 213 | Page 92

INSTALLERSUPPORT Are you covered this summer? » » MOST OF US HAVE EXPERIENCED the odd sun burn in our lifetime, and if you work outdoors, it’s likely that this has been experienced whilst on the job too. A painful sunburn just once every two years can triple the risk of the deadliest form of skin cancer; malignant melanoma. Alarmingly, around 44% of occupational melanoma deaths can be attributed to those in the construction sector, with over exposure to sunlight, and therefore UV radiation, carrying serious health risks. 1700 people are diagnosed with skin cancer caused by occupational sun exposure in Britain every year, making skin cancer the most common type of cancer in the world - the need for adequate protection is obvious. With a huge percentage of time spent outdoors, exposed to high levels of UV radiation, it is vital that outdoor and mobile workers are aware of the risks. For example, your car or van windows offer little protection; UVA rays can still penetrate glass. Undoubtedly a perk of the job for most outdoor workers, sunny summer days are on the way. But with temperatures rising and the UK seeing hotter summer months, UV protection at work should be a priority. To look into this further, a recent survey ran by Swarfega suggested that the gravity of the situation is not filtering down to worker attitudes and behaviours, despite the shocking statistics above. Just 1 in 4 workers surveyed wore protective sun cream during the summer of 2018 – despite it being one of the hottest summers on record with higher than average hours of sunshine also recorded. Those who did use it used more due to the exceptionally hot weather, but what about those who went without? Most of these respondents claimed that it was just too much effort. Does more need to be done to raise awareness? With a relatively small number of respondents being aware of how serious the dangers of UV radiation at work were, it 92 » AUG 2019 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M seems that this may be the case. 72% said they were unaware that as many as one death and five new cancers per week can be attributed to occupational exposure to UV radiation. Furthermore, only 16% of survey respondents said that they would wear sun cream on cloudy days, despite the majority admitting that they knew UV rays could still pass through cloud – in fact, over 90% of UV can pass through even light cloud and potentially cause sun burn . On the other hand, just 13% of respondents stated that they would not use sun cream on holiday demonstrating awareness of the dangers of UV radiation, but not the risk posed whilst on the job. When it comes to employer protection, it is common knowledge that UK employers are legally required to ensure that workers do not suffer harm or injury at work , but what may be less widely known is that this extends to UV protection. When it came to employer provision, 83% of non-wearers surveyed were not provided with any sun cream products at work. With more summer months up ahead, it is evident that understanding around the severity of the risks of UV radiation and effective preventative measures needs to be improved. The survey findings do show that outdoors workers are aware of UV damage to an extent, but that wider provision and awareness can help encourage more people to cover up on the job. THE 5S APPROACH TO SUN SAFETY The good news is that skin cancer is one of the easiest to avoid – it’s estimated by IOSH that 90% of skin cancer deaths could be prevented . Swarfega recommend that employees adopt the 5 S approach to sun safety: 1. SLIP on sun protective clothing – Encourage workers to keep covered up. Clothing can be one of the most effective barriers. 2. SLOP on sun cream – Apply a broad spectrum, minimum SPF30 sun cream 20 minutes before initial exposure and re-apply every 2 hours or more frequently if sweating heavily. TOUGH by Swarfega Sun Protection Cream is the perfect product for outdoor workers. 3. SLAP on a hat and neck protection – Where possible choose a hat with ear and neck protection. 4. SLIDE on some sunglasses – Slide on a pair of high-quality wrap-around sunglasses to protect the eyes. 5. SHADE from sun where possible – Encourage workers to take breaks or work in a shaded area wherever possible, especially from 11am-3pm. For more information on workplace skin care and UV protection, contact Swarfega today on [email protected], or see more on the TOUGH range here: www.toughbs.com