Abstract
ObjectiveOutdoor workers have high levels of exposure to ultraviolet radiation and the associated increased risk of skin cancer. This paper describes a review of: 1) descriptive data about outdoor workers' sun exposure and protection and related knowledge, attitudes, and policies and 2) evidence about the effectiveness of skin cancer prevention interventions in outdoor workplaces.Data sourcesSystematic evidence-based review.Data synthesisWe found variable preventive practices, with men more likely to wear hats and protective clothing and women more likely to use sunscreen. Few data document education and prevention policies.ConclusionReports of interventions to promote sun-safe practices and environments provide encouraging results, but yield insufficient evidence to recommend current strategies as effective. Additional efforts should focus on increasing sun protection policies and education programs in workplaces and evaluating whether they improve the health behavior of outdoor workers.
Highlights
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States [1]
Risk factors for skin cancer and sun-protective behaviors High levels of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation increase the risk of all three common forms of skin cancer, and approximately 65%-90% of melanomas are caused by exposure to UV radiation [4]
This paper summarizes the state of knowledge about outdoor workers' sun exposure and sun-protection practices, and describes and updates the methods and findings of a systematic evidence review of the effectiveness of interventions to reduce UV radiation exposure among outdoor workers, in order to prevent skin cancer
Summary
There is considerable room for improvement in occupational sun protection. Some workers take precautions while working outdoors in the sun, but the vast majority of outdoor workers studied in the United States, Canada, and the Mediterranean region – the regions for which there are multiple publications – do not practice adequate or any sun safety. Education of individual employees or adoption of policies to improve sun safety does not yet occur with great frequency. Employees may find it difficult to practice some commonly recommended sun safety techniques such as avoiding being outdoors, using shade, and wearing protective clothing without changes to work conditions and procedures. For the greatest possible impact, comprehensive workplace sun safety interventions should be aimed at both the outdoor workers and their employers. Workplace communication can be used to deliver sun protection advice to employees families These efforts should be carefully evaluated so that other occupational health and cancer prevention experts can be sure the most effective approaches are adopted and used widely, to achieve the greatest public health benefit
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