Following research that has found that construction workers have the greatest risk of getting skin cancer than any other profession, a sun safety warning has been issued for all outdoor workers.
The study looked at the risks associated with working outside. Specifically, the risk of skin cancer. According to the results, there were an estimated two hundred and forty-one cases of skin cancer caused by UV rays from the sun whilst at work. Alongside this, there was also a further forty-eight deaths caused by skin cancer.
An of these deaths, construction workers accounted for a massive 44%!
Therefore, roof systems manufacturer Marley Eternit are urging workers to reduce their risk of getting skin cancer. To do this, they are implementing UV wristbands that change colour when skin protection is necessary and free sun cream for their workers.
The leader of the company’s Safe in the Sun campaign stated: “these latest findings show that there is no room for complacency when it comes to sun safety on site.”
“Most people are careful about applying sun cream when they are abroad on holiday, but wouldn’t necessarily think of taking the same precautions when spending seven hours outside in the summer at work yet, it is just as, if not more, dangerous.”
“It is thought that working in the sun could lead to one death and around five new cases of melanoma each week.”
“Yet, 90% of all skin cancer deaths are preventable if workers on site take simple, sun safety precautions.”
The National Federation of Roofing Contractors supports this. The health and safety officer at the federation described: “70% of the workforce haven’t had any sort of training on the risks of working in the sun and with skin cancer cases on the increase in the UK.”
“The Safe in the Sun campaign is an excellent way of highlighting the dangers of sun exposure.”
This is also supported by further research. It found that three million working days a year are lost due to occupational skin disease in Europe. Bad for both the industry and its workers. Take a look at the full report here.
So what do you think of this? Are you out in the sun a lot? Could these wristbands be useful on all sites? Let us know in the comments below.