Wise up to skin cancer
Aug 15, 2011
Hopefully there will be a few weeks of sunny weather for us all to enjoy before autumn arrives. While it is more pleasant to work outside with the sun on your back, the dangers from the sun should not be overlooked. According to Constructing Better Health, a not-for-profit organisation committed to improving health in the construction industry, 10,500 cases of malignant melanoma are diagnosed every year in the UK. Other reports indicate seven people die from skin cancer every day in the UK.
We have been asked questions by clients this year regarding requirements to provide sun creams for employees and what should the policy be for protecting employees who spend long periods working outside. These issues concern not just construction, maintenance and ground keeping staff, but also employees who spend all day outside in a sales role.
The HSE provides a free guidance booklet “keep your top on” aimed at outdoor workers which offers good advice applicable in many industries, www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg147.pdf. You can also download a poster to help promote skin cancer awareness in the workplace from www.cbhscheme.com/Skin-Cancer-Awareness-Campaign.
For further information, contact:
Mark Dalton BSc CMIOSH MIIRSM RMaPS
Chartered Safety & Health Practitioner
Mobile: 07908 499976
Tel: 01422 358525
E-mail: mark.dalton@wilbyltd.co.uk
