Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, and people who work outdoors are among those at highest risk. Because outdoor workers spend long hours exposed to the sun, protecting them from ultraviolet (UV) radiation is essential all year round.
Overexposure to UV radiation is the main cause of skin cancer#
You are exposed to UV in several ways:
- direct sunlight
- reflection from surfaces such as concrete, water and light-coloured paint
- scattering of UV through the atmosphere
UV can be harmful even when it does not feel hot, including on cool and cloudy days.
All skin types can be damaged by UV#
Overexposure to UV damages the skin. This damage is cumulative, permanent and irreversible, and it increases with every additional exposure. While some skin types burn more easily than others, no skin type is immune.
A shared responsibility#
Outdoor workers and their employers share responsibility for keeping workers safe from the sun. Employers generally have a duty to provide and maintain a healthy and safe working environment as far as is reasonably practicable, and workers are expected to follow safe practices.
A comprehensive sun protection program made up of a few simple measures can prevent sun-related harm and reduce the suffering and costs linked to skin cancer.
Measures employers can put in place#
- Provide information, instruction and training about UV radiation and how to protect against it.
- Apply control measures in line with usual occupational hazard controls, for example reducing or shielding reflective surfaces.
- Reschedule outdoor tasks to avoid the most intense UV periods where possible.
- Provide personal protective equipment and clothing, such as broad-brimmed hats, sunglasses and protective clothing.
- Provide sunscreen and shade.
It also helps to:
- Develop a written sun protection policy that documents control measures and is endorsed by senior management.
- Put a monitoring and review process in place to check how well the controls are working and to identify further improvements.
- Carry out periodic assessments of the UV exposure risk to all workers.
Reducing exposure on the job#
Sunscreen alone is not enough. Don’t wait for hot, sunny days to use sun protection, because UV can damage the skin throughout the year, even when it is cool or overcast.
When working outdoors, try to:
- Reschedule work, where possible, away from the peak UV times in the middle of the day.
- Provide and use shade, including during breaks.
- Provide and use protective clothing, such as long sleeves and trousers, collared shirts, broad-brimmed hats, hard-hat brim attachments and sunglasses.
- Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher to any skin left uncovered, and reapply at least every 2 hours.
Check your own skin#
Because outdoor workers face a high risk of skin cancer, it is important to check your own skin regularly. Most skin cancers can be treated successfully if they are found early, but without treatment some can become deadly very quickly.
Get into the habit of checking your skin so you can notice changes sooner. Skin cancer can appear anywhere on the body, including under the nails, on the genitals and on the soles of the feet, so check all of your skin and not just sun-exposed areas.
See your doctor as soon as possible if you notice anything unusual, such as:
- a new spot
- an existing spot that changes in shape, colour or size
- a spot that bleeds and won’t heal
It helps to become familiar with how your skin normally looks so that you can recognise any changes, and to know how to examine your skin and what to look for.
Key points#
- Overexposure to UV radiation is the main cause of skin cancer.
- All skin types can be damaged by UV, and the damage is permanent and cumulative.
- Employers and workers share responsibility for sun protection, and a written program with shade, clothing, scheduling and sunscreen works best.
- Sunscreen alone is not enough, and UV is damaging all year round.
- Check your own skin regularly and see a doctor promptly about any new or changing spot.
Where to get help#
Sources & further reading
For evidence-based global guidance on this topic, consult authoritative public-health bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), CDC, NHS, and ECDC.