Staying safe when working in the sun

The sun is back and it feels as if we’re finally reuniting with a long-lost friend. However, it can become a worker’s worst enemy when they have to work in the heat all day. Do you know why the sun is so dangerous? In this article, we’ll show you all the dangers of sun exposure and how to protect yourself from our warmhearted friend.

Why the sun can cause significant damage

The sun can be a real hazard if you aren’t aware of its strength. UV radiation is no joking matter, as it can permanently damage your skin without proper protection. UV-exposure can result in wrinkles, early ageing and skin cancer if left unchecked.

In addition to those long-term consequences, the sun also causes your body to heat up at an alarming rate, making you sweat and become dehydrated, tired or confused. That can result in heat exhaustion or other health problems.

Consequences of sun exposure

You probably thought of it already: a sunburn is probably the most common result of sun and heat exposure. Skin on fire, aching whenever you move and feeling nauseous all day… Anyone who’s ever had a sunburn before, knows that they are horrendous.

In addition to sunburns, heat exhaustion is also a common side effect of being exposed to the sun for a long time. It occurs when the heat exposure causes your body temperature to rise too drastically, keeping your brain and other organs from functioning properly.

The longer you are exposed to the sun, the higher the likelihood of you experiencing these consequences. And don’t think that a cloudy day or bad weather can keep you safe from getting sunburnt. Workers rarely have a say in the conditions they have to work in, though. That’s why learning about the sun’s effects and how to protect yourself is so important.

Understanding SPF and UPF

Everyone has heard of the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) already. Most of us use it to determine the strength of sunscreen. However, what you really need to look out for is a good Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) in protective workwear.

SPF indicates the amount of time it will take for UV radiation to penetrate your protective layer and damage your skin. UPF refers to the amount of UV radiation a piece of clothing can protect you from. This is measured on a scale from 15 to 50. Clothing that has a UPF of 30, for instance, will let 1/30th of all UV radiation through. That means that 3% of the radiation would be penetrating your protective layer and be able to damage your skin.

Therefore, when you’re looking for PPE to wear during the summer or PPE to protect you from the sun in general, UPF is an important factor to take into account.

Means to protect yourself from the sun

The first step is always sun cream. Protect your skin with a sunscreen that has an SPF rating of at least 30 and, if possible, look out for a waterproof sun cream. A waterproof version will stay put even when you are sweating.

Whenever possible, find some shade. Your main priority on a hot day should be to stay cool. So, try to have all your breaks in a shady spot that allows your body to cool down a bit.

Finally, protective clothing will keep you safe from the sun. Want to learn more about what it is you need to wear during the hot summer months? Read ‘Safety without the heat: the PPE you need’ or discover our summer must-haves.