On The Job
Your company may have tools in place to prevent injury, but do you have tools to prevent skin cancer?
A healthy and safe workplace—one that includes sun protection for outdoor workers—can save money and increase productivity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year Americans lose more than $100 million in productivity because of restricted activity or absence from work due to skin cancer.
Federal policy established by the Occupational Safety and Health Act also requires employers to minimize risk of harm to workers, and that includes sun exposure on the job.
Here are some ways to make your company Sun Smart:
- Encourage sun safety among your employees and provide sun protection when possible, such as sunscreen, sun protective clothing, and hats.
- Use tents, shelters, or other structures to provide shade at worksites.
- Schedule breaks in the shade and encourage employees to reapply sunscreen throughout their shifts.
- Create work schedules to minimize sun exposure—especially during peak hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. For example, schedule outdoor tasks in early morning and rotate workers to reduce time exposed to UV rays.
- Include sun safety information in workplace wellness programs. Teach outdoor workers about the risks of exposure to UV rays and symptoms of overexposure.
More information about sun safety in the workplace is available from the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).