Preventing sun exposure at work
New Zealand has the second highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Preventing sunburn at work is an valuable way to reduce risks for outdoor workers.
Increasing sun-safe behaviours for outdoor workers
Different intervention studies have looked at education, protective equipment and workplace policies. Research recommends a multi-component approach.
Over exposure to sunlight can cause skin damage
Find out about the risks and benefits of sunlight exposure for outdoor workers, and how UV exposure can lead to skin cancers.
Sun exposure is a risk for outdoor workers
Aotearoa New Zealand has the second highest rate of skin cancer in the world.
We also have a large number of people working outside in the construction, agriculture, horticulture, forestry, transport and postal sectors.
While some sunlight is good for us and helps us to maintain Vitamin D production, overexposure to sunlight and ultraviolet light leads to skin damage.
Specific ways organisations can help their workers include the provision of protective equipment including hats and sunscreen, using shade and educating workers about potential damage.
Where an organisation educates workers, provides protective equipment, and develops a workplace policy on being safe in the sun, they can have a greater impact.
Feedback
To find out more about the Wellbeing at Work initiative, or to give us your feedback on the early material, contact Professor Joanne Crawford.
Professor of Health and Safety
School of Health
References
- Bauer, A., Diepgen, T. L., & Schmitt, J. (2011) Is occupational solar ultraviolet irradiation a relevant risk factor for basal cell carcinoma? A systematic review and meta‐analysis of the epidemiological literature British Journal of Dermatology, 165(3), 612-625,
- Diepgen, T., Fartasch, M., Drexler, H., & Schmitt, J. (2012) Occupational skin cancer induced by ultraviolet radiation and its prevention British Journal of Dermatology, 167(2), 76-84.
- Duffy, S. A., Hall, S. V., Tan, A., Waltje, A. H., Cooper, S. A., & Heckman, C. J. (2018) The sun solutions intervention for operating engineers: a randomized controlled trial Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 27(8), 864-873.
- D’Orazio, J., Jarrett, S., Amaro-Ortiz, A., & Scott, T. (2013) UV radiation and the skin International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 14(6), 12222-12248.
- Entringer, A.C., Brannon, L.A., Whitaker, W.K. (2021) Educating outdoor workers using tailored and financial messages to encourage safe-sun behaviors Health Education Research, 36(3), 374–383.
- Gordon, R. (2013) Skin cancer: an overview of epidemiology and risk factors Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 29(3), 160-169.
- Gordon, L. G., Leung, W., Johns, R., McNoe, B., Lindsay, D., Merollini, K. M., Elliott, T.M., Neale, R.E., Olsen, C.M., Pandeya, N., & Whiteman, D. C. (2022) Estimated healthcare costs of melanoma and keratinocyte skin cancers in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand in 2021 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(6), 3178.
- Greinert, R., de Vries, E., Erdmann, F., Espina, C., Auvinen, A., Kesminiene, A., & Schüz, J. (2015) European Code against Cancer 4th Edition: Ultraviolet radiation and cancer Cancer Epidemiology, 39(1), S75-S83.
- Heydari, E., Dehdari, T., & Solhi, M. (2021) Can adopting skin cancer preventive behaviors among seafarers be increased via a theory-based mobile phone-based text message intervention? A randomized clinical trial BMC Public Health, 21, 134.
- Horsham, C., Auster, J., Sendall, M. C., Stoneham, M., Youl, P., Crane, P., Tenkate, T., Janda, M., & Kimlin, M. (2014). Interventions to decrease skin cancer risk in outdoor workers: Update to a 2007 systematic review BMC Research Notes, 7(10), 1-8.
- Jakobsen, M. M., Mortensen, O. S., & Grandahl, K. (2022) Sun protection behavior in Danish outdoor workers following a multicomponent intervention Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 885950.
- Lansdow n, T. C., Cowan, S., Nioi, A., Cowie, H., Wendelboe-Nelson, C., Rashid, S., Ritchie, P., & Cherrie, J. W. (2020) Vitamin D and UV exposure in construction workers—a randomized control trial using text messaging to promote positive behaviours Journal of Public Health, 42(3), 594-601.
- Ministry of Health (2021) New Cancer Registrations 2019. Wellington: Ministry of Health.
- Sang, Y.,& Deng, Y. (2019) Current insights into the epigenetic mechanisms of skin cancer Dermatologic Therapy, 32(4), e12964.
- Schmitt, J., Seidler, A., Diepgen, T. L., & Bauer, A. (2011) Occupational ultraviolet light exposure increases the risk for the development of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta‐analysis British Journal of Dermatology, 164(2), 291-307.
- Sendall, M. C., Stoneham, M., Crane, P., Fleming, M., Janda, M., Tenkate, T., Youl, P., & Kimlin, M. (2016). Outdoor workers and sun protection strategies: Two case study examples in Queensland, Australia. Rural and Remote Health, 16(2), 1-14.