The article highlights two significant hazards faced by outdoor workers: heat strain and UV radiation exposure. It underscores the urgency of addressing heat illnesses, especially with increasing OSHA citations, while also emphasizing the long-term risks of UV exposure, which can lead to skin cancer decades later.
A recent study presented at the EADV Congress indicates a climate-related rise in skin diseases, particularly heat rashes, affecting 42.6% of 136 countries surveyed. In 2019, nearly 19,000 skin cancer deaths were linked to occupational sun exposure, primarily from non-melanoma skin cancer, emphasizing the need for protective measures throughout a worker’s career.
The WHO suggests protective measures when the UV Index reaches 3, which is often overlooked by workplaces relying solely on temperature for scheduling outdoor shifts. NIOSH recommends planning outdoor work during times of lower UV exposure and ensuring access to shade and sunscreen. However, protective clothing can create a heat stress risk, particularly in hot, humid climates.
Overall, the findings call for a comprehensive approach to occupational safety that includes attention to both heat and UV radiation, ensuring responsibilities for protection measures are clearly assigned.
