• Login
  • Contact
  • COVID-19
  • Share
  • Facebook
  • Vimeo
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
MedcorMedcorMedcorMedcor
  • About
    • Medcor Health Navigation
    • Leadership
    • Wellness
    • Mission, Vision and Values
  • Services
    • Onsite Clinic
    • Telehealth
    • Safety
    • Support Services
  • Resources
    • Press Releases
    • Insights
    • Technology
  • Careers
    • Culture
    • Equal Employment and Diversity

Occupational Sun Safety

    Home Health Tips Occupational Sun Safety
    Next Previous
    Occupational Sun Safety

    Occupational Sun Safety

    By Ashley Clay, MSPAS, PA-C, Medcor Provider | Comments are Closed | 11 August, 2021 0

    Your skin is a vital organ that the body uses for protection against pathogens and ultraviolet (UV) rays, for temperature regulation, for vitamin D production, and as a component of your sense of touch. Because skin is so important to your health, protecting it while having fun in the sun or working outside is essential. Sun exposure without appropriate protection can be harmful and cause problems like heat illness and skin damage from UV rays including sunburn, premature aging, or skin cancer.

    Nearly 5 million Americans are treated for skin cancer on a yearly basis, impacting wages and employer cost. According to the CDC, $100 million in productivity is lost annually due to absences from work or restricted activity in relation to skin cancer.

    Tips for Employers

    Employers and supervisors should remember that outdoor workers are exposed to UV rays from the sun even on cloudy or overcast days (and yes, even year-round). Tips for mitigating risk of skin damage for outdoor workers include:

    • Incorporating sun-safety information in worksite wellness programs such as training programs, employee brochures, slide presentations, signage with targeted messages, and newsletter or email blasts.
    • Educating employees that certain medications—like antibiotics, acne medicine, diabetes medications, cholesterol-lowering drugs—can increase their sensitivity to sun, and advising they speak with their occupational health clinician or their primary care provider if they are concerned.
    • Providing sun protection when and where possible:
        • Broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours (or less if perspiring heavily). Provide easily accessible sunscreen refill stations. Employers can also send out text message or email reminders to employees when it is time to reapply sunscreen.
        • Employees should be encouraged to wear protective clothing (tight-weave or high-SPF), UV- protective sunglasses, and wide-brimmed hats.
    • Scheduling breaks in the shade and setting up cooling stations that provide shade.
    • Rotating workers and modifying work schedules to decrease outdoor work during peak UV exposure times, which is usually around midday, 10 am – 4 pm.
    • Training workers to use the UV Index and if possible, to avoid working outdoors when “very high” or “extreme” UV levels are identified.
    • Knowing your worksite(s). For example, snow and light-colored sand are reflective and increase worker exposure to UV rays.

    Employers should also visit the National Institute of Health, National Cancer Institute – Sun Safety Evidence-Based Programs Listing for more ideas on how to promote sun-safety and reduce occupational hazards.

    References

    Health and Safety Executive, “Structure and functions of the skin.”
    National Cancer Institute, “Sun Safety Among U.S. Postal Service Letter Carriers,” updated July 21, 2020.
    The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, “NIOSH Fast Facts: Protecting Yourself from Sun Exposure,” June 6, 2014.

    Authored by: Ashley Clay

    Share
    CDC, diabetes, heat illness, heat sickness, skin, skin cancer, sun, sunscreen, UV rays, vitamin D

    Ashley Clay, MSPAS, PA-C, Medcor Provider

    More posts by Ashley Clay, MSPAS, PA-C, Medcor Provider

    Related Post

    • How Drinking Soda Impacts Your Health

      By Danielle Olipra

      Soda pairs almost too well with salty snacks to quench your thirst. The sweet taste is satisfying, and it is available almost anywhere you go. But the convenient option is not the healthiest option, soRead more

      Share

    • Ladder Safety Month

      By Danielle Olipra

      March is National Ladder Safety Month and as always, Medcor is thinking about all the hard workers we support and their safety on the job. Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the constructionRead more

      Share

    • Healthy Habits For Your Heart

      By Danielle Olipra

      February is National Heart Month. The World Health Organization reports cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death worldwide, killing over 17 million people each year. The principles that guide you to a healthyRead more

      Share

    • Common Steps to Manage Diabetes

      By Danielle Olipra

      It is estimated by the CDC that over 34 million Americans have diabetes, and over the last 20 years, the number of U.S. adults diagnosed with diabetes has doubled due to increasing obesity, inactivity, andRead more

      Share

    • Your Workspace and Your Health

      By Danielle Olipra

      You spend a lot of time in your workspace, but have you thought about using your workspace to give you the best foundation to do your job? You could be setting yourself up for betterRead more

      Share

    NextPrevious

    Recent Posts

    • How Drinking Soda Impacts Your Health
    • Ladder Safety Month
    • Healthy Habits For Your Heart
    • Common Steps to Manage Diabetes
    • Your Workspace and Your Health
    Medcor
    Medcor provides health navigation through integrated services that include onsite and mobile clinics, injury triage, telemedicine, and safety staffing and training. Medcor helps employers and their employees navigate the complexities of healthcare to achieve better physical and financial outcomes across the United States and Canada.

    Insights

    • The ROI of Onsite Medical Clinics in the Construction Industry
      May 23, 2023
    • The Cost of Not Investing in Employee Wellbeing Programs
      May 17, 2023
    • What is Mental Health First Aid and How Can Companies Implement it?
      April 12, 2023

    Contact Us

    HQ Location
    4805 Prime Parkway
    McHenry, IL 60050

    Postal Address
    P.O. Box 550
    McHenry, IL 60051

    Call

    HQ: (815) 363-9500
    Sales: (888) 295-5180
    Media: (815) 759-5442


    Email

    Sales: sales@medcor.com
    Job Inquiry: recruiters@medcor.com
    Media: media@medcor.com
    Website Manager: websupport@medcor.com
    Copyright © 2023 Medcor, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Legal Notices: Copyrights, Trademarks, Patents, Terms of Use & Privacy | English Spanish. Healthcare Privacy Policy | English Spanish
    • About
      • Medcor Health Navigation
      • Leadership
      • Wellness
        • Eat Real Food
        • Get Your Sleep
        • Handle Your Hygiene
        • Mind Your Happiness
      • Mission, Vision and Values
    • Services
      • Onsite Clinic
      • Telehealth
      • Safety
      • Health Security
    • Resources
      • Health Tips
      • Insights
      • Technology
    • Contact
      • Existing Customer Services
      • General Information
      • Job Inquiries
      • Media & Public Relations
    • Careers
      • Culture
      • Equal Employment and Diversity
      • Interview and Hiring Process FAQs
      • Apply
    • COVID-19
    Medcor