Sun safety at work

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, and it’s also one of the most preventable. Help employees protect themselves from the harmful effects of the sun and excessive UV exposure by providing information and changing work conditions (such as scheduling and providing protective equipment). Working outdoors puts you at a higher risk of developing skin cancer because you are regularly exposed to the sun for long periods of time. Outdoor workers are often in the sun when the ultraviolet (UV) radiation is strongest: between 11 am and 3 pm, when the UV Index is 3 or higher, and often between April and September. The following sections can help you make your workplace sun safe for all your employees, especially those who work outdoors.

Educate

Do you want to provide information on sun safety to employees? The Educate module will supply you with information to share with employees through newsletters, posters, or other internal communications. Topics include fact sheets and tips on promoting sun safety at work, protection for outdoor workers, avoiding overexposure and more.

Educate
Resources

Fact
Sheets

Act

Providing opportunities that encourage employees to be more sun safe can help move them from education to action. As part of creating a healthy workplace, build in activities that encourage sun safety like a Own Your Own Skin Tone Challenge.

Download the following materials to help you get ideas or plan these activities:

Sun Safety
Challenge

Know The
Skin You’re In

Support

Supporting sun safety in the workplace is important. One way to create a supportive environment is through the use of organizational policies that support employees in making sun safe choices. The Support module has tips on how to develop a sun safety policy, view a sample policy, and access other ideas on how to support sun safety in the workplace.

Download Support Resources

Download Policy Resources