Making UV protection routine for outdoor workers

9 Aug 2016

Five outdoor workers are diagnosed with skin cancer every day in the UK : yet 90% of skin cancer deaths could be prevented if exposure to UV rays were controlled

We offer a highly visible UV safety board and dispenser that is designed to help outdoor workers make sun protection a natural staff habit and help prevent skin cancer. Our wall-mountable UV Skin Safety Centre incorporates a sunscreen dispenser, as well as a large, colourful UV index, which can be used to display the day’s UV level. There is a mirror to assure the sunscreen can be applied accurately.

The board is designed to create every-day awareness, and turn UV protection into a routine habit. Prominently mounted – in staff changing rooms, for instance, or close to exit doors used by outdoor workers – it attracts attention and encourages use. Workers who see other workers apply sunscreen regularly are likely to start doing the same. UV protection is being turned from an individual endeavour into a shared custom among colleagues – with enormous potential to improve compliance.

Employers have a duty of care to protect their employees from hazards in the workplace and according to Health & Safety Executive guidelines, UV radiation should be considered an occupational hazard for people who work outdoors.

The Safety Centre’s dispenser contains Stokoderm® Sun Protect 30 PURE, a professional use sunscreen with UVB 30 and UVA 5 star “ultra” rated protection for application to any part of the body that is exposed to the sun whilst working outdoors. It withstands heavy perspiration or immersion into water, and does not affect workers’ dexterity when using hand-held tools.

Raising UV awareness is one of our key priorities. We support the charity Skcin and their Sun Safe Workplace scheme – an accreditation programme designed to guide employers through the process of implementing a suitable and successful Sun Safe Policy and educational programme into their organisation.

As part of this campaign, we provide a range of resources to educate both employers and employees on the importance of sun safety in the workplace. These include toolbox presentations, brochures and awareness posters.