Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Prevention
29 CFR 1926.95 · This talk in Spanish
Why it matters
Outdoor construction workers get several times the UV dose of indoor workers, and it shows up as skin cancer at rates the trades do not talk about. UV bounces off roofs, concrete, and metal, burning in the shade of your hard hat brim. This is separate from heat: a cool cloudy day still delivers the dose. The fix is boring and cheap: cover, cream, and catching spots early. Today we talk about the tan that is not harmless.
Hazards
- ⚠ Cumulative UV exposure driving basal, squamous, and melanoma skin cancers
- ⚠ Reflected UV off membranes, concrete, and metal decking
- ⚠ Burns on ears, neck, lips, and forearms the shirt does not cover
- ⚠ Cloudy-day complacency while UV stays high
- ⚠ Ignored changing moles and sores that do not heal
- ⚠ Eye damage: cataracts and growths from years of glare
Controls and safe practices
- ✓ Cover the skin: long sleeves in light wicking fabric are cooler than burned skin, plus neck shades on hard hats.
- ✓ SPF 30 or higher on ears, neck, face, and forearms; reapply at lunch, not just at 6 a.m.
- ✓ Lip balm with SPF; lips burn and crack on roofs all summer.
- ✓ UV-rated safety sunglasses; glare off decks damages eyes year round.
- ✓ Use shade for breaks and rotate high-exposure positions when possible.
- ✓ Know your skin: a mole that changes, a sore that does not heal in weeks, a new rough patch means a doctor visit.
- ✓ Annual skin checks if you have decades outdoors; early melanoma is curable, late is not.
Crew discussion questions
- Who here has been sunburned this month, and where were you working?
- What does our crew actually wear: tank tops or sleeves?
- Is there sunscreen in the trucks right now?
- Has anyone had a spot checked or removed? What made you go?
Applicable OSHA standards
29 CFR 1926.95
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