FEATURE
Engendering change is often a challenge, Paul noted, especially when trying to alter perceptions towards skin damage from the sun. It is important for employers to view the protection of workers from sun damage as high of a priority as other health and safety requirements. Paul expanded: “In the construction sector it is well known that to protect yourself onsite you need a hard hat, hi-vis, ear and eye protectors and steel toe cap boots, but often people don’t think about skin protection.
“We are up against people’s perceptions and often the damages from the skin aren’t factored into the day’s schedule. When working with clients we have been trying to make protecting employers from UV rays as important as providing hand wash.
“Often an employer’s approach with sun cream in the workplace is that it is the individual’s responsibility to bring their own products. The more proactive companies, like Laing O’Rourke, see the benefit of supporting their staff with a group-provided solution.”
Deb advises all proactive workplaces to sign up to the Skcin Sun Safe Accreditation scheme in order to become an accredited, recognised workplace.
UVA rays have a longer wavelength meaning they penetrate deeper into the dermis or the base layer of the skin, which can contribute to skin burning, skin cancer and wrinkling/ premature aging.
UVB rays are burning rays with a shorter wavelength that reach and burn the epidermis. They are the primary cause of sunburns and contribute to skin cancer.
UVC radiation is blocked by the ozone layer whilst UVA and UVB both reach the earth’s surface and penetrate our skin. UVC rays are created artificially during certain industrial processes such as welding.
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THE RULES & REGS The Health and Safety at Work Act states that there is a legal duty on employers to ensure the health of their employees; saying they must be provided with ‘information, instruction, training and supervision’ to ensure their safety.
The Management of Health and Work Regulations also require the employer to conduct risk assessments of the dangers to the health of their workforce, including UV radiation. Elsewhere the regulation states that an employer
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