Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Prevention
29 CFR 1926.95 · This talk in Spanish
Why it matters
Working outdoors in the sun raises your risk of sunburn and skin cancer, and the trades do not talk about it much. UV comes through on cool, cloudy days too, so this is separate from heat. 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 bright surfaces adding to the dose
- ⚠ 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.
- ✓ Broad spectrum sunscreen, SPF 15 or higher, on ears, neck, face, and forearms; put more on at least every two hours, and more often when sweating.
- ✓ 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.
- ✓ If you have years outdoors, ask a doctor about checking your skin.
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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