Marley says “construction workers are still failing to take precautions” from the sun

Marley has reiterated its message to construction workers in its long running “Safe in the Sun” campaign, its aim is to raise awareness about an important public health issue.

The research, which was conducted by Nottingham University, revealed that those working outside for an average of seven hours a day or more, either thought they were “not at risk” or “didn’t know whether they were or not”, due to a misguided perception that UK climate conditions do not pose a skin cancer danger.

Research into the impact of sun exposure in the UK construction sector is a reminder about the risks facing tradespeople who work outdoors – each year more than 1,500 new cases of work-related non-melanoma skin cancer are diagnosed.

However, according to a report from IOSH, nine in 10 skin cancer deaths could be prevented if precautions to avoid sun damage were made.

Since its launch in 2004, “Safe in the Sun” has focussed on reminding outdoor workers about the need to protect themselves. The message is the same: be aware of the dangers the sun and UV rays and take some easy preventative actions to stay safe.

Marley has the following Safe in the Sun advice for merchants and their customers:

• Keep a shirt or jacket on and opt for tightly woven fabrics, which help to form a barrier to the sun’s harmful rays.
• Do not leave exposed skin unprotected. Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and remember to reapply regularly.
• Always wear a hard hat – preferably with a brim and flap that will cover the ears and the back of the neck.
• Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.
• Check your skin regularly for unusual spots and moles, or changes to spots and moles.
• Wear safety sunglasses with a UV 400 rating to not only protect eyes from harmful UV rays.
• Check that eye protection is certified in line with EN 166, personal eye protection, and EN 172, sun glare filters for industrial use.