Safety Briefing – working in the sun and warm weather safely

Facts and figures                                                                                           

• UV (ultraviolet) radiation from the sun is a major cause of skin cancer. Cases have doubled in the last 20 years
• More than 210,000 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are diagnosed annually in the UK with rates predicted to reach almost 400,000 per year by 2025.
• Over 16,000 cases of melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) are diagnosed every year in the UK (Skcin.org)
• Sunlight causes the skin to produce a dark pigment called melanin; this is a sign that the skin has been damaged
• Long-term sun exposure speeds up the skin’s ageing process, making it become more dry and wrinkled
• People working outside should consider exposure to UV radiation as an occupational health hazard.
• A suntan is perceived as ‘healthy’ but it may not be so.

 

Question for Individual reflection What is the most effective way I can protect myself against sunburn or the heat at work?

 

Who has increased risk of skin damage?

 

• People with pale skin, fair hair, freckles or a large number of moles
• People with a family history of skin cancer and those with excessive exposure to sunlight, such as outdoor workers
• The risk is less for people with dark hair and brown or black skin. However, prolonged sun exposure can be bad for all skin types. Do not be complacent.

Skin types

 Type 1:            White skin, never tans, always burns. Often people with red or fair hair, blue eyes, pale skin and freckles.

Type 2:            White skin, burns easily, but may tan eventually. May have fair hair, blue eyes and freckles.

                        Types 1 and 2 must take extra care to avoid strong sunshine or cover up with tightly woven                         clothing and wear a hat.

Type 3:            White skin, tans easily and burns rarely. Often with dark hair and eyes and slightly darker skin.

Type 4:            White skin, never burns, always tans, darker hair, eyes and skin.

                        Types 3 and 4 should still take care in strong sunshine.

Type 5:            Brown skin Type 6: Black skin

                        Types 5 and 6 are at little risk of skin cancer but it can occur. These skin types can still                                  darken and even burn in stronger sunlight.

 

When is protection required?

The UV index was created by the World Health Organisation and tells you on a daily basis what the UV level is.

Outdoor workers need to be protected when the UV level reaches 3 or above, not just when the sun is shining. To find out the UV level where you are today visit www.metoffice.gov.uk

What do managers need to do?

• Carry out a risk assessment for working in the sun and hot weather – speak to your team on how they are coping and what they may need
• Identify, risk assess and monitor any staff who may need special requirements or more susceptible due to health reasons in periods of hot weather
• Consider the tasks your teams are doing which may generate further heat, mean there is lack of air flow, more strenuous etc
• Monitor your team throughout the day encourage them to speak to you about their concerns
• Include sun protection advice in routine health and safety training, 1-2-1s and meetings. Inform workers that a tan is not healthy – it is a sign that skin has already been damaged by the sun.
• Encourage workers to keep covered up during the summer months or during met office warnings – especially at lunch time when the sun is at its hottest. They can cover up with a long-sleeved shirt, trousers and a hat with a brim or flap that protects the ears and neck
• Encourage workers to use sunscreen (ideally PF 50 but of at least SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 30 on any part of the body they can’t cover up and to apply it as directed on the product. They might prefer to use a spray or an alcohol-based (non-greasy) sunscreen
• Encourage workers to take their breaks in the shade, if possible, rather than staying out in the sun.
• Consider re-scheduling certain work to minimise exposure and risk of heat stress, provide mechanical aids where possible
• Site water points and rest areas in the shade
• Encourage workers to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration
• Keep your workers informed about the dangers of sun exposure – make use of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) leaflet Keep your top on (below)
• Encourage workers to check their skin regularly for unusual spots or moles that change size, shape or colour and to seek medical advice promptly if they find anything that causes them concern.
• Consulting your employees and their safety represen­tatives is important. Take their views into account when introducing any new sun safety initiatives
• Make sure you have first aid arrangements in place should you need it

 

 What do individuals need to consider when working or being exposed to the sun?

•  Take care not to burn, this can take as little as 10 minutes
• Cover up with loose clothing. Keep your clothing on so that you do not expose unprotected areas. Cover as much of the body as you comfortably can to reduce the risk of exposure of sun e.g. long trousers, long sleeves and hat. Keep your shirt or other top on, especially while you are working around midday. Don’t be tempted to leave it off, even if your skin tans easily and does not burn.

n.b. some staff may be working in construction or environments where their lower legs would need to be covered due to exposure to cuts, sharps, cement which could lead to infections and injury etc it is advisable not to wear shorts if you are working in these environments, talk to your manager about more appropriate PPE if needed

• Seek shade during the hottest part of the day and take your breaks in the shade. Take rest breaks often
• Think about the work you are doing and how it can be done safer under the circumstances
• Apply high factor sunscreen generously and frequently to any parts of the body exposed to the sun;

A minimum of SPF15 but ideally high factor and apply regularly (please check if you think you may be allergic to the version stocked)

• Drink plenty of fluids to keep hydrated throughout the day – if you are thirsty it could mean you are already dehydrated
• Speak to your line manager if you are suffering from health conditions that could be made worse in hot weather
• Make sure you have been given a risk assessment and advice leaflet and if you have medical issue or are pregnant you should speak to your manager about your specific risk assessment

 

In hot weather it is easy to feel uncomfortable wearing certain PPE such as hard hats, long trousers, ear muffs and dust masks or respirators, and tempting to work without these, but please remember these are essential parts of your PPE kit.

If you are concerned about moles changing shape or colour and itching, weeping or bleeding, see

your GP immediately.

 

Question for Individual reflection What do I need to consider when working or being exposed to the sun?

 What is heat stress?

Heat stress occurs when the body’s means of controlling its internal temperature starts to fail. Air temperature, work rate, humidity and work clothing are all factors which can cause heat stress.

What are the effects of heat stress?

Heat stress can affect individuals in different ways and some people are more susceptible to it than others.

Typical symptoms are:

• an inability to concentrate
• muscle cramps
• heat rash
• severe thirst – a late symptom of heat stress
• fainting
• heat exhaustion – fatigue, giddiness, nausea, headache, moist skin
• heat stroke – hot dry skin, confusion, convulsions and eventual loss of consciousness.

This is the most severe disorder and can result in death if not detected at an early stage.

 

Where there is a possibility of heat stress occurring, managers will need to consider carrying out a risk assessment.

Check if you’re dehydrated

Symptoms of dehydration include:

• feeling thirsty
• dark yellow and strong smelling pee
• feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• feeling tired
• dry mouth, lips and eyes
• peeing little, and fewer than 4 times a day

Dehydration can happen more easily if you have:

• diabetes
• vomiting or diarrhoea
• been in the sun too long (heatstroke)
• drunk too much alcohol
• sweated too much after exercising
• a high temperature of 38C or more
• been taking medicines that make you pee more (diuretics)

What do managers need to look at in the risk assessment?

When carrying out your risk assessment, the major factors you need to consider are:

• work rate – the harder someone works the more body heat they generate;
• working climate – this includes air temperature, humidity, air movement and effects of working near a heat source;
• worker’s clothing and respiratory protective equipment – may mean that sweating and other means of the body regulating its temperature are less effective;
• worker’s age, build and medical factors – may affect an individual’s tolerance.
• Assess tasks that may be in the sun and what controls need to be in place

 

Firstly, talk to the workers involved to see whether they are suffering early signs of heat stress. If there is a problem, you may need to get help from others who are more experienced in determining the risk from hot environments, eg occupational health

 

How can the risk be reduced of heat stress?

• Provide mechanical aids where possible to reduce the work rate.  Regulate the length of exposure to hot environments by: allowing workers to enter only when the temperature is below a set level or at cooler times of the day; issuing permits to work that specify how long your workers should work in situations where there is a risk; providing periodic rest breaks and rest facilities in cooler conditions.
• Prevent dehydration. Working in a hot environment causes sweating which helps keep people cool but means losing vital water that must be replaced. Provide cool water in the workplace and encourage workers to drink it frequently in small amounts before, during (where possible) and after working.
• Provide personal protective equipment. Specialised personal protective clothing is available which can incorporate personal cooling systems or breathable fabrics. The use of some protective clothing or respiratory protective equipment may increase the risk of heat stress.
• Provide training for your workers, especially new and young employees, telling them about the risks of heat stress associated with their work, what symptoms to look out for, safe working practices and emergency procedures.
• Allow workers to acclimatise to their environment and identify which workers are acclimatised or assessed as fit to work in hot conditions.
• Identify employees who are more susceptible to heat stress because of an illness, condition or medication that may contribute to the early onset of heat stress, eg pregnant women or those with heart conditions. You may need advice from an occupational health professional.
• Monitor the health of workers at risk. Where a residual risk remains after implementing as many control measures as practicable, you may need to monitor the health of workers exposed to the risk. You should then seek advice from an occupational health professional.

Heat Stress/Heat Stroke and Protective Clothing

The HSE advise that clothing needs to protect against hazards on site.  The main reason for protecting the lower legs is to help guard against cuts, grazes, splashes and splinters etc in an environment where any skin damage can lead to infection.  Some trades may need to keep skin covered for other reasons.

During summer on very bright days it is important to protect against over exposure to sunlight which can cause skin cancer.  Cases of malignant melanoma have increased dramatically in recent years and working with wet cement against bare skin can be a serious hazard resulting in skin complaints.

In periods of extreme hot weather it can be uncomfortable for staff to keep cool and there is a risk of overheating. Over time people can adapt to hot conditions by sweating more and changing their behaviour to try and cool down. There are several ways of keeping cool. PPE is a last resort and it is recommended that staff should stay out of the direct sun as much as possible, stop, redesign, reduce certain tasks or work, drink plenty of water and take regular breaks in the shade or cooler areas, reduce working rate and strenuous periods of work, avoid work situations or tasks where there is an increased risk during hot weather e.g. working in confined spaces, cool your skin by using a water spray to cool down or use of a hand fan.  However, in many work situations such changes may not be possible, eg when protective clothing has to be worn.

What if someone is showing signs of heat stress or exhaustion?

If someone is showing signs of heat exhaustion they need to be cooled down. The NHS advises that there are four things you can do to cool someone down and they should feel better within 30 minutes:

• Move them to a cool place
• Get them to lie down and raise their feet slightly
• Get them to drink plenty of water. Sports or rehydration drinks are OK
• Cool their skin – spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them. Cold packs around the armpits or neck are good too

Stay with them until they are better and call 999 if the person is:

• No better after 30 minutes
• Still feeling hot and dry
• Not sweating even though they are too hot
• Showing a temperature that’s risen to 40°C or above
• Experiencing rapid or shortness of breath or is confused, has a fit or loses consciousness

If someone needs your help (for example in taking their temperature or to drink or cool down), you may need to be in close proximity to them .  Remember to protect yourself and others by washing your hands with soap for 20 seconds or by using an alcohol hand-rub before and after helping someone, and try to ensure that you don’t cough or sneeze over them.

Where can I get further information?

The following free leaflets have been produced by HSE:

• https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg451.pdf
• Keep your top on: Health risks from working in the sun ^[1]
• Sun protection: advice for employers of outdoor workers ^[2]

The following website also provides useful information:

• SunSmart: the UK’s national skin cancer prevention campaign ^[3]