Sun Safety at Work: How to Protect Your Outdoor Employees from Harmful UV Rays
8 Minutes
Team Curative
Jul 19, 2024
July is recognized as UV Safety Month, a critical time to raise awareness about the dangers of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Increased exposure to UV rays during summer poses significant health risks and, if your employees work outside, can significantly impact their ability to work and their productivity. Health-related absenteeism, decreased work performance, and higher healthcare costs ultimately impact you as an employer.
If you’ve got employees frequently exposed to UV rays, we have some tips for protecting your outdoor workers from overexposure, keeping them at their best all summer long. Read up on the health impacts of UV exposure and the importance of preventive healthcare, as well as the treatment options available should UV damage occur and the role of affordable health insurance plans in supporting employees’ health outcomes.
Understanding UV Radiation
Before understanding what makes UV rays so powerful, it helps to know what they are. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation from the sun and artificial sources like tanning beds. It has shorter wavelengths than visible light, making it invisible to the human eye. Based on wavelength, UV radiation is classified into three types: UVA, UVB, and UVC.
UVA: With the longest wavelength, UVA rays can penetrate the skin, leading to premature aging and wrinkles. They account for about 95% of the UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface and can even breach windows and clouds.
UVB: With a shorter wavelength than UVA, UVB radiation primarily affects the skin's surface and is responsible for sunburn. It plays a key role in the development of skin cancer. UVB rays are more intense during midday and can be partially blocked by windows.
UVC: It has the shortest wavelength and is the most dangerous. However, UVC rays are completely absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere and do not reach the ground, so they pose no threat to human health under normal circumstances.
Increased Outdoor Activities and Sun Exposure
Employees who spend most of their workday outside are at risk of greater sun exposure, especially in the summer. You might imagine sun safety for people visiting beaches, lounging by pools, playing golf, and exploring amusement parks. But, a large portion of the United States economy also relies heavily on outdoor workers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost 33% of American employees had “regular outdoor exposure in 2022.”
Common outdoor jobs include:
Agricultural workers
Lifeguards at beaches and pools
Employees at amusement parks and recreational destinations
Construction workers
Landscapers
With so much time spent in the sun, these workers are exposed to five to ten times more UV radiation annually than indoor workers, translating into a higher risk for developing skin cancers. Sadly, nearly one in three deaths from non-melanoma skin cancer is caused by working under the sun, making your responsibility as an employer even greater to help your team gain access to affordable health insurance plans.
Additional Health Impacts of UV Radiation
Beyond the well-documented risk of skin cancer, exposure to UV radiation affects multiple systems in the body, causing long-term damage and contributing to a range of health problems that can severely impact quality of life.
Premature Aging: UVA radiation penetrates deeply into the skin and contributes to premature aging, causing wrinkles, leathery skin, and age spots—this process, known as photoaging, results from collagen breakdown and abnormal elastin accumulation.
Eye Damage: UV radiation can harm the eyes, increasing the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, and other eye conditions such as photokeratitis and pterygium. These conditions can impair vision and, in severe cases, lead to blindness.
Immune System Suppression: Excessive exposure to UV radiation can suppress the immune system, reducing its ability to fight off infections and diseases. This suppression can increase the risk of skin infections and decrease the effectiveness of vaccines.
DNA Damage and Genetic Mutations: UV radiation causes direct damage to the DNA in skin cells, leading to mutations that can result in skin cancers. The formation of thymine dimers is a common type of DNA damage caused by UVB radiation, which can lead to errors in DNA replication.
Prevention is Critical
What’s an employer to do? Education is the first step toward prevention. Consider circulating the tips below to help protect employees from the harmful effects of UV radiation:
Use Sunscreen: This sounds basic, but so many people skip this step. Encourage employees to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen (which protects against both UVA and UVB rays) with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. If swimming or sweating, sunscreen should be reapplied at least every two hours.
Wear Protective Clothing: Clothing can be a great physical barrier against UV rays. Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and skirts made from tightly woven fabric offer the best protection. UV-protective clothing lines are also designed specifically to block out the sun's harmful rays.
Seek Shade: Whenever possible, avoid direct sunlight, especially during midday hours when the sun’s rays are the strongest (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Using umbrellas, trees, or other forms of shade can significantly reduce UV exposure.
Wear a Hat and Sunglasses: A wide-brimmed hat can protect areas often exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck, and ears. Sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays are also essential to protect the eyes from UV damage and reduce the risk of cataracts and other eye problems.
Regular Skin Checks: Regular self-examinations of the skin for new or changing moles, freckles, or spots can help detect skin cancer early. Visiting a dermatologist annually for a professional skin examination is recommended.
UV Protection: A Smart Investment for Employers
Employers have a critical role in ensuring the health and safety of their employees, particularly those who work outdoors and are at higher risk of UV-related health conditions. But preventive care doesn’t just benefit your team — it benefits your business, too:
Reduced Healthcare Costs: Regular check-ups and early detection of skin conditions can prevent more serious and costly health issues. By encouraging employees to see their healthcare providers regularly, employers can help catch and treat skin conditions early, reducing the need for expensive treatments and hospitalizations down the line.
Increased Productivity: Healthy employees are more productive. Preventive healthcare, including regular skin cancer screenings and UV exposure counseling, can help employees maintain their health and well-being, reducing sick days and improving overall job performance. This directly benefits the employer by maintaining a steady and productive workforce.
Enhanced Employee Morale and Retention: When employers invest in the health and safety of their employees, it fosters a positive work environment. Employees are more likely to feel valued and appreciated, leading to higher morale, increased job satisfaction, and better retention rates. Comprehensive healthcare benefits, including preventive services, can be a key differentiator in attracting and retaining top talent.
Compliance with Occupational Health and Safety Regulations: Employers have a legal and ethical obligation to provide a safe working environment. Implementing preventive healthcare measures and educating employees about UV exposure can help employers comply with occupational health and safety regulations, reducing the risk of legal issues and potential fines.
Curative: Your Comprehensive Preventive Healthcare Solution
Curative offers affordable health insurance plans tailored to meet the needs of your employees. With a broad network of high-quality providers, Curative ensures employees can access the care they need. The Curative network includes:
~1 million professional providers
170,000 ancillary facilities
~8,000 hospitals
24/7/365 access to a local physician in under 10 minutes via Teladoc
Access to supplemental First Health network
Curative’s affordable health insurance plans feature one monthly premium, $0 copays, telehealth services, direct member support, and a baseline visit to establish a care relationship. The Baseline Visit is a crucial component of Curative’s healthcare plans. It ensures that employees receive a comprehensive health assessment, allowing for personalized care plans and early detection of potential health issues. The Care Navigator helps employees manage their healthcare needs, providing guidance and support throughout their healthcare journey.
As an employer, you have a unique responsibility to protect your talent from harm while they are on the job, including the effects of UV radiation. By implementing preventive measures and providing access to affordable health insurance plans, you can ensure the well-being of your team. Curative’s comprehensive healthcare solutions offer the necessary support to achieve this goal.
Resources:
American Cancer Society. (n.d.). UV protection. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/sun-and-uv/uv-protection.html
American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Ultraviolet (UV) radiation. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/sun-and-uv/uv-radiation.html
Cancer Council Australia. (n.d.). Settings: Workplace | National Cancer Prevention Policy. https://www.cancer.org.au/about-us/policy-and-advocacy/prevention-policy/national-cancer-prevention-policy/skin-cancer-statistics-and-issues/settings-workplace
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Recommendations for sun protection. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/sunexposure/recommendations.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Productivity. https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/model/control-costs/benefits/productivity.html
Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Health effects of UV radiation. https://www.epa.gov/sunsafety/health-effects-uv-radiation
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.) Employer Responsibilities.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, January 23). 32.9 percent of employees had regular outdoor exposure in 2022. https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2023/32-9-percent-of-employees-had-regular-outdoor-exposure-in-2022.htm
World Economic Forum. (2023, July 19). The Business Benefits of Boosting Employee Health and Well-Being. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/07/business-benefits-of-boosting-employee-health-and-well-being/
World Health Organization. (2023, November 8). Working under the sun causes 1 in 3 deaths from non-melanoma skin cancer, say WHO and ILO. https://www.who.int/news/item/08-11-2023-working-under-the-sun-causes-1-in-3-deaths-from-non-melanoma-skin-cancer--say-who-and-ilo