Danger: Ultraviolet Radiation from the Sun! Outdoor Workers and Sun Protection

Quick Facts:

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation produced by the sun is a known carcinogen.  Employees who work outdoors for all or part of the day have a higher than average risk of skin cancer due to sun exposure. Supervisors, management, health, and human resources personnel need to make employers aware of how to prevent damage from UV radiation.

There are many costs savings associated with investment in sun protection. Consider the following three critical points:
Costs and Benefits
According to the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (2010),
• The estimated cost of skin cancer in Canada in 2004 including direct medical costs and indirect costs (sickness, death and disability costs) was $531,750,000, over half a billion dollars.
• The average melanoma client loses 28 days from work.
• Non-melanoma skin cancer accounts for an average of 14 days of disability.
• UV radiation may also cause eye cancer, cataracts, weakening of the immune system, and medication reactions.

Lower Work Output 
• Presenteeism refers to diminished on-the-job performance due to impairment by health issues. A severe sun burn, the stress of doctor’s  appointments, fear of impending cancer, or undergoing treatment for skin cancer may not be responsible for absenteeism, yet may affect the employee’s functioning on the job.

Due Diligence
• By providing a healthy workplace environment, employers protect themselves from liability charges and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) claims.
• As of 2002, WSIB had 45 settlements related to skin cancer, 27 of which were postal workers and 10 were construction workers.

Other reasons for organizations to invest in workplace health promotion are:
Improved Workplace Profile
According to The Health Communciation Unit (2010),
• Workplaces that value and improve the health of the organization gain by improving their business and community profile. Improved profiles may lead to advantages in hiring and retaining better employees.

Employee Satisfaction
According to The Health Communication Unit (2010),
• Workers who are satisfied with their organization tend to be healthier. There are links between employee health, productivity, and job satisfaction. A healthy workforce translates into employee satisfaction.

There are simple steps that workplaces can take to protect their business and their employees:
1. Promote awareness of the health risks associated with UV radiation from the sun.
2. Provide education about sun avoidance and protective practices to reduce these risks.
3. Create a supportive environment that enables employees to practice sun protective behaviours.
4. Provide sun protection policies to support changes and enhance sun protection behaviours.

Resources:

Canadian Dermatology Association: Sun Safety for Outdoor Workers
This is an excellent website for Canadian Outdoor Workers. This website offers medical advice from dermatologists, short videos, free print resources, and a policy template.

Ontario Ministry of Labour
A must for workplaces – this site outlines the Ministry of Labour’s guidelines for UV radiation. It has excellent background information on the science behind UV radiation, acute and chronic effects of UV radiation, as well as workplace responsibilities.

Australia: Sun Smart at Work
This website contains guidelines and policy information for workplaces. It informs workplaces about skin cancer detection and risk factors for the outdoor worker.

Australian Cancer Council: Workplaces
This site will help workplaces keep their employees safe from the sun. Sections include: developing a sun protection policy, information on sun safety for employers, and other related resources.

Upcoming Events:
Project Health Networking session – Sun Protection: Promoting and supporting strategies for your Outdoor Works:
Thursday, March 3, 2011  12:00p.m. - 2:00p.m.
Registration will be available on-line by mid-January 2011 – see www.projecthealth.ca.

January 2011
National Non Smoking Week, January 16-22, 2011. This year’s theme is “There are hundreds of reasons to quit... what’s yours?”
Weedless Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Driven To Quit Challenge 2011 All Ontario resident, 19+ who plan to quit tobacco use on or after January 1, 2011, may be eligible to register. Registration opens and prizes will be revealed on January 4, 2011.

February 2011
World Cancer Day February 4, 2011
Heart Month

March 2011
National Nutrition Month
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

April 2011
National Cancer Month

May 2011
National Mental Heath Week May 3-9, 2011
World No Tobacco Day May 31, 2011

June 2011
Sun Safety Awareness Week
Sponsored by the Canadian Dermatology Society, this week usually occurs the first or second week in June.

References:

Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. (2010). The Economic Burden of Skin Cancer in Canada: Current and Projected Final Report. Retrieved from http://www.partnershipagainstcancer.ca/sites/default/files/Economic%20Burden%20of%20Skin%20Cancer%20in%20Canada%20Report%20-%20Final.pdf

The Health Communication Unit.  (2011). The Case for Comprehensive Workplace Health Promotion: Making “Cents” of a Good Idea. Retrieved from http://www.thcu.ca/workplace/documents/business_case_WEB_SITE_FINAL.pdf

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