Exposure to Solar UV During Outdoor Construction Work in Britain.

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Dermatology
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Excessive solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure is a known cause of skin cancer.
• Approximately 1500 new cases of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) occur annually in Britain due to occupational UV exposure.
• Outdoor construction workers represent a high-risk group for UV-induced skin damage, yet their exposure levels are poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify erythema-weighted UVB radiation exposure among construction workers in Scotland and Southeast England.
• To assess the associated risk of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) based on measured UV exposure.
• To inform employer strategies for managing sun safety and skin health surveillance for outdoor workers.

Main Methods:

• UV exposure measurements were collected from 41 construction workers across 9 worksites over 758 working days.
• Erythema-weighted UVB radiation was measured using sensors attached to workers' hard hats.
• Data were collected as part of an intervention study focused on altering worker behavior regarding UV exposure and vitamin D levels.

Main Results:

• Daily UV exposure varied significantly, ranging from 0 to 13.47 standard erythema doses (SED).
• Mean daily UV exposure for outdoor construction workers was 2.0 SED, compared to 0.7 SED for indoor workers.
• Accumulated UV exposure over a 30-40 year career could potentially more than double an outdoor worker's risk of NMSC.

Conclusions:

• Outdoor construction workers in Britain experience substantial occupational UV exposure.
• Employers should adopt proactive sun safety management and skin health surveillance for their workforce.
• Interventions, such as text message reminders, may help mitigate UV exposure risks for outdoor workers.