Watch out in the heat!
People who work outdoors have a higher risk of developing skin cancer. They are exposed to intense sunlight, especially in summer. Good sun protection is therefore extremely important. Read here how to do this and how to defy the UV rays even in summer.
Increased exposure to UV rays has consequences for health. In particular, people who work outdoors have a higher risk of developing skin cancer. They are also exposed to twice as much UV radiation. UV protection is therefore important.
The skin never forgets a ray of sunshine
Too much UV radiation can damage the human body. Anyone who has been exposed to strong UV radiation for years has an increased risk of developing skin cancer. Around 25,000 people in Switzerland develop light (white) skin cancer every year. The sunny weather in the spring and summer months increases the skin's exposure to UV radiation.
The effective exposure depends on various factors such as the time of day, cloud cover and the altitude of the workplace above sea level. Studies show that working outdoors is clearly associated with increased exposure over the years. Anyone who works outdoors every day during working hours is exposed to more than twice as much UV radiation as an indoor worker (including leisure time and vacations). This also has consequences in terms of occupational illnesses. In Switzerland, it is estimated that there are around 1000 occupational cases of light skin cancer. The right protection is crucial for outdoor workers.
Effective protection required
Irradiation is strongest in the months of June and July. However, protection is particularly important from April to September. Anyone who works outdoors must protect themselves effectively.
There are many different measures for the right protection:
- Carry out work in the shade.
- Avoid working in the sun between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- Cover as much of the skin as possible with clothing.
- Wear headgear with a wide brim or forehead visor and neck protection.
- Apply sun cream to exposed areas of skin.
Good to know: Skin cancer can be an occupational disease
A case of white skin cancer can be associated with working outdoors. stand. In these cases, it is an occupational disease. These illnesses must be reported to the accident insurance company. This also applies to severe sunburn, sunstroke or heatstroke associated with an occupational activity.
Read all the Suva tips on suva.ch/sun
