GUIDANCE NOTES CONCERNING THE
EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT
OF OUTDOORS WORKERS
HEALTH & SAFETY UNIT 2014
Contents
1 THE EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION FROM SUNLIGHT 1
2 PROTECTION AGAINST ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION 1
2.1 Clothing 1
2.2 Sun Protection factor 1
2.3 Time of day 2
2.4 Check your skin 2
3 SUMMARY OF PRECAUTIONS FOR SUN EXPOSURE 2
4 ACTION 2
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Aim: To promote awareness in outdoor workers and their managers of the effects caused by exposure to sunlight and to provide information on the precautions to take in order to reduce the risk to health.
1. The effects of exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight
Unprotected exposure to sunlight can cause the skin to become dry and lose elasticity thus causing wrinkling and accelerating the skin ageing process. It can also cause skin cancer.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the world and the number of skin cancers has doubled over the last fifteen years. The majority of skin cancers are Non melanoma skin cancers which occur mainly on the sun exposed areas of the body i.e. the face, ears, neck and trunk. Malignant melanoma skin cancers can occur on any part of the body but are mainly found on the legs in women and on the back in men. The prime cause of this type of cancer is exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Although an increase in total exposure to the sun will lead to an increase in malignant melanoma, it is the pattern of the exposure rather than the total exposure that is the major factor. Intermittent exposure of untanned skin can be more hazardous.
People most at risk from skin cancer are fair skinned people who do not have a good tanning response, people who have been sunburned during childhood, and in the case of malignant melanoma the number (more than 50) and types of moles on the skin’s surface.
2. Protection against ultraviolet radiation
2.1 Clothing
Clothing can provide good protection against ultraviolet radiation but this depends on the colour and thickness of the fabric. Dark coloured fabrics have a higher protection factor than light coloured fabrics due to better ultraviolet absorption, however, white offers better protection than other light colours because it reflects the light. Tightly woven and heavier fabrics will offer better protection than more loosely woven lighter clothing. Hats will provide protection to the head and neck.
2.2 Sun Protection factor
Some skin types are more sensitive to sun exposure than others. Fair skin that does not tan at all or does not tan very easily will burn more readily than dark skin. Sunscreens reduce the amount of ultraviolet light reaching the skin. The sun protection factor (SPF) of a sunscreen is an indication of how much it will reduce the amount of ultraviolet light reaching the skin. Thus an SPF of 10 will reduce a person’s dose to one tenth of the dose without the screen. Most people should start with a high SPF, at least 15. Water on the skin can reduce the protective value of a sunscreen by 50-85%.
2.3 Time of day
About two thirds of the sunburn producing solar radiation reaches the earth between 10am and 2pm.
2.4 Check your skin
The first warning sign is often a small scabby spot which does not clear after a few
weeks. Look for changed or newly formed moles or any skin discolouration. It is
normal for new moles to appear until you are about 18 years old. As an adult you
should pay particular attention to any growths which appear on the face, especially
around the nose and eyes, or on the backs of the hands; you should show your
doctor any moles which change in size, colour, shape or start to bleed.
If you notice any of these signs consult your own doctor, or your works medical
department if you have one. Show them this leaflet and explain that you have an
outdoor job.
Fortunately most of these signs will be harmless, but medical checks may be
needed to be sure. Even if a spot is cancerous, simple modern treatments can
usually cure it and most don’t spread to other parts of the body. The smaller the
spot the easier it is to cure. So don’t put off going to the doctor when you know
you should.
If you have any kind of medical check-up tell the doctor that you have an outdoor
job and ask if there are any suspicious signs on your skin.
Don’t delay. If you think something might be wrong get it looked at quickly.
Summary of precautions for sun exposure
· Use a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor
· Avoid staying out in the sun between 12.00pm and 2pm
· Use suitable clothing including hats
· Avoid sunburn particularly in children including mild reddening which is a sign of skin damage as well as being an early sign of burning.
· Reduce sun exposure
· Try to work and take breaks in the shade
Action
Heads of Department are responsible for ensuring that risk assessments are carried out on staff who work outdoors particularly in the Spring and Summer months. Advice and protection should be provided in accordance with the above information.
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