Summer is nearly here
Carpenters, Construction and Outdoor workers are probably the worst culprits of not taking care in the sun. As soon as the clocks go forward we try to make the most of the longer days, rejoicing that the hard winter months are now behind us! But all these long hours outdoors could be exposing our skin to more sun that is probably good for us. A tanned body might show off our rippling muscles 😉 , however do we really know the damage that is potentially being done to our body.
To answer our questions and to also help us change our own habits, we asked the team at ScreenCancer UK, what we should be doing to make sure we are taking care in the sun? Let’s start with the most common myths about the sun:
Common Myths
- If it’s cloudy the sun can’t damage my skin
- If it’s not very hot the sun doesn’t affect me
- I’m already tanned so I am safe from sun damage
The Facts
- Dangerous sun rays can get through cloud cover and they’re not linked to temperature
- A tan doesn’t protect you from skin cancer it means you’re already damaging your skin
- There is no such thing as a ‘healthy’ tan, when you are tanning it is your skins natural defence to the sun’s UV rays and the damage has already been caused. A tan does not protect you from skin cancer
- Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer – 90% of all skin cancer deaths could be prevented if sun exposure is controlled
- Getting a painful sunburn just once every two years can triple the risk of malignant melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer
- Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the world and is the easiest to avoid
Top tips on how to protect yourself from solar radiation at work, if you are an outdoor worker:
- Ensure you are wearing sunscreen and are reapplying as per the label says to do so. Sunscreen should be considered as part of your PPE.
- Don’t buy one bottle, get a couple and keep them in your van, just in case you leave one on site
- Wear your sunscreen from March to the end of September, it is just as important as your high vis and/or hard hat
- Wear sunglasses that wrap around your head
- Stay hydrated
- If you have anything on your skin that looks unusual, or you are worried about a mole, then you must get it checked out as soon as possible.
Get advice for you and your employees today
Before we begin the wonderful long days of summer lets make sure we have found ways to make sure we are taking care in the sun. ScreenCancer UK offer fantastic advice and company screening, where they can bring the dermatologist to your place of work by screening workers who may be high risk of skin cancer. Or you can pop along to their offices at the Innovation Centre in Medway. ScreenCancer also offer toolbox talks, were they educate employees on how to stay safe and protected at work and play, plus an in-depth understanding of self-checking and why it’s so important.
Visit www.screencancer.com for more information on skin cancer, skin conditions and their services. Or telephone 01634 931010 and speak to a member of the team.
Stay safe this summer