The summer is often a time for holidays and enjoying the sunshine away from work (when our British weather obliges). But many people will still be working, and for some this will be outside and in the sun.
We all know that as much as the sunshine is associated with good times, it also poses serious risks to people’s health.
Cancer Research UK tells us that there are over 17,000 new cases of skin cancer each year in the UK, and sadly over 2,300 deaths too. 86% of skin cancer cases are preventable, so if you have outside workers you can make a real difference.
Let’s take a look at what your responsibilities are as an employer for keeping your workers safe in the sun.
Who is at risk?
Anyone who works outdoors for prolonged periods of time is more at risk than those who do not. Industries such as farming, construction, gardening, as well as some public service workers are examples of those who may be more exposed.
Everyone is vulnerable to skin cancer to some degree, but employees may be more at risk if they have fair or freckled skin; a large number of moles; red or fair hair.
What is the risk?
Too much sunlight exposure can be harmful to the skin and eyes. Damage is caused by ultra violet (UV) light from the sun’s rays.
Reddening of the skin can be caused by the skin being burnt. This is painful but can also blister and peel. Tanned skin is also a sign that the skin has been damaged by UV light. More seriously, in the longer term, sun exposure can lead to developing skin cancer, which of course can be fatal.
What are your duties as an employer?
The Health and Safety at Work Act etc 1974 (HSWA) puts a legal duty on every employer to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the health of their employees. It also says that employers must provide “information, instruction, training and supervision” to ensure their safety.
When it comes to keeping your staff safe in the sun, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 also require you to conduct a risk assessment including the risks from UV radiation where applicable.
Some basic guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on how to stay safe in the sun includes:
- Wearing appropriate clothing (workers should not remove their tops for instance)
- Use a high-factor sun screen
- Stay in the shade when possible
- Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration
- Be aware of new symptoms such as changing moles (colour, shape, itchiness etc)
As an employer, it is also your duty to provide workers with protective equipment where necessary and this should be free to the worker. This could include providing suitable high-factor sunscreen, long sleeved and legged clothing/uniforms along with wide brimmed hats.
Employees also have a duty to follow the workplace sun protection policies and attend any training given by you, as well as using the workplace-provided protective equipment.
Next steps
If you require help with risk assessments for staff working outdoors, or with sun protection policies or training, then The Health & Safety Dept are your one-stop-shop. As experts in all things health and safety we can tailor policies and procedures to your business and carry out risk assessments to enable you to identify the potential risks and how to mitigate them.
Give us a call today to discuss how we can help you to protect your staff and keep your business running smoothly.
