Working in the sun: How you and your team can stay protected

Working in construction can mean you’re exposed to the sun for hours on end and if you’re not careful you could end up doing serious damage to your skin. Being exposed to UV light can lead to sunburn in the short term, which whilst painful will pass within a few days or weeks but in the long term being exposed to UV light without protection can lead to conditions such as skin cancer.

Damage to your skin is not the only risk when working in warm conditions. Being exposed to the heat for long durations can also lead to other issues such as dehydration which can lead to feeling unwell or fainting.

Who is most at risk?

Working in the sun sounds nice on paper, but it doesn’t come without its risks.

Construction workers can be exposed to the sun for long periods of time, which means they can cause serious damage to their skin if they’re not careful. UV (ultraviolet) light can cause both short—and long-term issues, so working in these kinds of conditions shouldn’t be taken lightly.

But UV exposure is not the only risk. The heat can also cause a lot of harm if you’re not careful. Being exposed to the heat can lead to issues like dehydration, so you and your team need to stay vigilant in the summer months – even if it is nice to be out in the sunshine after so long.

To help you along, here’s our guide on the risks of working in the sun, along with our tips on keeping workers safe and protected.

Who is at risk from working in the sun?

No matter who you are, everyone’s at some level of risk of sunburn, heat stress and skin cancer. But some people have higher risks than others.

People with fair skin, freckles, and red or fair hair are more likely to feel the effects of the sun, as well as workers who may have a large number of moles. According to Cancer Research UK, they’re more at risk of developing serious skin conditions like melanoma from prolonged sun exposure.

This is because those with lighter or pale skin have less melanin, which helps to block certain levels of damaging UV rays. That doesn’t mean people with darker skin and more melanin are invulnerable. Everyone needs to make sure that they’re protecting themselves appropriately.

What are the biggest risks of working in the sun and heat?

Those who spend a lot of time outside will be more exposed to the sun’s UV rays, which can cause various health issues. These can range from short-term discomfort to long-term complications.

Here are some of the most common health risks construction workers can face in the sun and heat.

Sunburn

Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause sunburn, which can mean redness, blistering and swelling of your skin. Sunburn can also result in heatstroke and fatigue, so make sure you and your team don’t get caught out without cover and ample water when working outside.

Dehydration

The sun’s heat causes our bodies to lose fluid as we sweat. If these fluids aren’t replenished fast enough, dehydration can occur, which can cause dizziness, fatigue, headaches, and impaired cognitive function. In turn, this can increase the likelihood of accidents, especially when those affected are involved in safety-critical roles.

Skin cancer

Repeated sunburn can increase the risk of skin cancer, and it’s something construction workers need to take seriously. Those who work in this industry account for 44% of all occupational skin cancer diagnoses, and 42% of occupational skin cancer deaths each year. And, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, your risk of developing a serious melanoma more than doubles after five or more sunburns.

Heat-related illnesses

Working in the heat can result in heat exhaustion and heatstroke, which can be life-threatening in severe cases. Common symptoms of heat-related illnesses include nausea, dizziness, confusion and rapid heartbeat.

Eye irritation and damage

If you or your workers are out in the sun every day, the risks of eye irritation and damage increases over time. Some construction workers may get cataracts (a clouding of the eye lens), as well as other visual problems like allergic conjunctivitis.

Ageing

Increased sun exposure is strongly linked to premature ageing. UV radiation damages the skin’s collagen and elastin, giving it a wrinkled, leathery, or mottled appearance.

Do employers have a legal responsibility to protect those working in the sun?

According to the UK’s Construction Design and Management (CDM) Regulations 2015, employers have a legal obligation to ensure the Health & Safety of their workers on construction sites.

This includes providing the right personal protective equipment (PPE), safety training and supervision, so you’ll need to do everything you can to minimise the risks associated with sun exposure.

If you’re a contractor, you can demonstrate your Health & Safety compliance to clients and meet pre-qualification requirements with our SSIP certification!

Do I need a working in the sun risk assessment?

It’s definitely advisable to carry out a risk assessment to protect workers from potential harm. UV radiation and heat stress can be deadly, after all.

Your working in the sun risk assessment should identify hazards, evaluate risks, and help you implement control measures. If you’re unsure, then we’ve got a nifty blog post with more information on how to write your risk assessment .

What should I consider in a risk assessment?

When writing your risk assessment for work being carried out in the sun and heat, you should think about things like:

The intensity and duration of sun exposure: What intensity are the UV rays, and how long will workers be exposed to sunlight? You can find daily UV estimates online to keep you well informed.
Workload demands: The more challenging the work, the higher the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Individual risk: Factors like skin type, age, and pre-existing medical conditions can increase an individual’s risk.
Environmental factors: Remember that temperature, humidity, and shade availability can impact the risk of sun exposure and heat stress.
Workplace design: Are there areas with enough shade, and is it easy for workers to access these areas?
Best practices: Assess whether team members are allowed to take extra breaks, and whether they’re encouraged to seek shade after working in the sun.

Taking these elements into account will help you reduce the risk of harm to construction workers working in the sun and ensure a safe, proactive environment.

Tips for working in the sun

With this in mind, you should take a dedicated approach to working in the heat and sun to help reduce health risks.

Your top tips for working in the sun include:

Plan work schedules carefully
Provide sun and heat safety training
Encourage workers to wear sun cream
Offer breaks in the shade
Urge workers to drink plenty of water
Provide protective clothing
Provide quality eyewear
Encourage workers to check their skin regularly

Let’s break down these precautions so you know exactly what to do to protect yourself and your workers.

1. Plan work schedules carefully

If you have some flexibility in work patterns and schedules, try to limit employees’ time outside during the hottest, sunniest parts of the day, which is typically between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

While this isn’t always possible – especially if you’re working to tight deadlines – it can be a good idea to schedule more physically demanding duties during the morning when it’s cooler. This protects the health and welfare of your workers and reduces their sun exposure.

2. Provide sun and heat safety training

Workers should be given the right information and training to work safely in the heat. This not only keeps workers protected, but also safeguards your company from legal and financial liabilities.

Your teams will need to know how to look after their health and wellbeing when working in the heat, and be aware of key risks and protective measures. This will help them stay proactive and keep them performing at their best.

3. Encourage workers to wear sun cream

This is our number one tip for working in the sun. It’s a really easy way for workers to avoid burning and damaging their skin, and for avoiding long-term issues like skin cancer.

Make sure your teams are using the correct level of protection for their skin and regularly topping up their sun cream throughout the working day. SPF30 is a good place to start, as it protects against UVB rays 30 times longer than unprotected skin.

4. Offer breaks in the shade

In the UK, workers are legally entitled to an uninterrupted 20-minute break if they work for six or more hours per day.

We suggest you encourage workers to use this time in shaded areas to help reduce the risk of skin damage. Having a short break or lunch break in the shade is a really easy way to give skin a rest, especially at lunchtime when the sun’s rays are at their peak. You can also think about whether you can make indoor or shaded areas available for meetings and for when mixing materials (if you’re using concrete, it’ll also stop it from drying out so fast).

5. Urge workers to drink plenty of water

This is a precaution many workers can slip up with. As employees are often focused on their tasks and duties, they can sometimes forget to keep themselves hydrated.

Working in the heat will likely mean workers will sweat a lot to keep themselves cool, which will result in fluid loss. It’s incredibly important to replenish fluid lost, so make sure your team is drinking plenty of water to prevent dehydration and heat-related illnesses. Have a timer set, and provide easy access to a source of water – whether that’s tap water or bottled.

6. Provide protective clothing

Your workers may be tempted to wear less when it’s hot, but this leaves them more exposed to the sun. They should wear light, loose-fitting clothing that covers as much skin as possible. Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and wide-brimmed hats provide great protection against the sun’s rays.

Remember that material, colour and weave can actually affect the amount of UV radiation a material is able to block. So make sure you’re ready to guide employees on what to wear if needed.

Just remember to make sure that, when using power tools and equipment, any loose clothing is kept out of the way to avoid injuries.

7. Provide quality eyewear

It’s important for your workers to wear sunglasses with UV protection to shield their eyes from harmful radiation. They should ideally be wearing sunglasses or safety glasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays.

Sunglasses and protective eyewear are also really helpful for reducing glare. Working in the sun means reflective surfaces like metal, glass, and water can make it difficult to see properly, so make sure your employees are well-equipped.

8. Encourage workers to check their skin regularly

It’s really important for construction workers to be proactive with their health. They should check their skin regularly for any signs of change – especially when it comes to new moles or discolouration.

If workers discover anything that has an usual size, shape or colour, or if a patch starts itching or even bleeding, they’ll need to consult a doctor straight away. Identifying issues like skin cancer early means it may be much more treatable.

Protecting your workers with Smas Worksafe

Working in the heat and sun presents risks that shouldn’t be overlooked. Protection from exposure isn’t just a matter of comfort or preference; it’s a really important aspect of Health & Safety on construction sites.

By following our top tips for working in the sun and taking the precautions we’ve outlined, you can help workers reduce their risks of sunburn, heat-related illnesses, and long-term health conditions.

If you’d like to build on your Health & Safety knowledge, then we’re here to help! We offer everything from Health & Safety Awareness (HSA) training to a range of CITB courses to drive your standards of compliance. You can find out which training schemes are right for you by contacting our expert team here.