The Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA) is joining the Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC) in the effort to develop a sun safety program for outdoor workers in Canada.
The partnership, announced as part of this year’s Sun Awareness Week (June 6 to 12), underscores the importance of providing protection to outdoor workers who cannot always follow the number one rule of sun safety—getting out of direct sunlight during peak hours.
“People have long accepted hardhats and work boots as essential safety equipment on construction sites, and we need this same sort of protection for workers who spend long periods outdoors in the sun,” said Dr. Jennifer Beecker, national spokesperson for the CDA’s Sun Awareness Program.
According to the OCRC, approximately 1.5 million Canadians are exposed to sun at work. The largest industrial groups exposed to sun in Canada are construction, farming, building care and maintenance.
The OCRC’s Sun Safety at Work Canada program will help companies implement a sun safety regimen into their occupational health and safety management system to protect workers. As part of the program, a comprehensive range of resources are being developed to support workplaces in the effort to become more sun safe.
While the number of new cases of skin cancer continues to rise, it is one type of cancer that can be prevented by taking the following precautions:
- When the UV Index is 3 or higher, skin should be protected as much as possible. In general, the UV Index in Canada can be 3 or higher from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. between April and September—even it is cloudy;
- Seek shade or bring an umbrella;
- Wear clothing and a wide-brimmed hat, as appropriate to the activity and weather, to cover as much skin as possible, as well as for added eye protection;
- Use sunscreen labelled ‘broad spectrum’ and ‘water-resistant’ with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, on skin not covered by clothing. Apply sunscreen generously and reapply when required;
- Do not use UV tanning equipment or deliberately try to get a suntan, and avoid getting a sunburn; and
- Wear sunglasses or prescription eyeglasses with UV-protective lenses.
