Don't Let the Sun Beat Down Upon Your Face
Don’t let the sun beat down upon your face! If your staff and volunteers are working outdoors, they’re at an extremely high risk for overexposure from the sun. And prolonged exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer, which accounts for almost half of all cancers diagnosed in the United States every year. Various detrimental effects of sun exposure occur later in life, so many workers don’t take the necessary precautions to protect themselves against the sun’s dangerous rays during their younger years. The following actions put your volunteers at risk:
- Not wearing sunscreen
- Not applying sunscreen frequently enough
- Not wearing polarized eye protection
- Incurring frequent sunburn
- Wearing minimal upper body clothing when working in warmer temperatures
Please consider providing sunscreen for all your workers at no charge. Storing it in multiple locations will further enhance its usage.
The Importance of a Sun Protection Policy
In addition to these general safeguards, consider implementing a uniform and sun protection policy at your organization, and maintain strict enforcement. Consider including the following provisions in your policy:
- Uniform shirts must be worn at all times
- Hats that will protect the face from the sun must be worn when workers are exposed to the sun for more than 20 minutes
- Sunglasses must always be worn to prevent eye damage
- Sunscreen must be applied every hour to all exposed areas of the skin
These safeguards ensure that the upper bodies of your volunteers (with the exception of necks and lower arms) are adequately protected from the sun at all times. Be sure to educate your employees volunteers on the risks and causes of skin cancer.
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