Are workers protected? Analyzing sun protection policies in Andalusian municipalities

The aim of this study is to assess the sun protection policies and practices (SPPP) of Andalusian municipalities (Spain) as employers of outdoor workers since excessive ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure is the leading preventable cause of skin cancer.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on the occupational implementation of SPPP by local councils employing outdoor workers in Andalusia, a region located in Southern Spain where high levels of UVR are recorded.

The Occupational Sun Protection Policies and Practices Survey (OSPPP-S) was designed and piloted.

Sixty-one Andalusian municipalities were included in the analysis, representing a response rate of 7.8 %. These municipalities reported employing a total of 29,332 (median: 255; IQR: 616) workers of which 12,611 (median: 90; IQR: 302) work outdoors (43 %). In 21.3 % of the municipalities, sun protection policies are included in the occupational risk prevention plan, 23 % have complete health surveillance plans (identification of vulnerable workers and periodic sun damage assessment) and 41 % do offer sun protection education. Regarding sun protection personal protective equipment, we found that municipalities do not provide their workers with sunglasses (63.2 %), sunscreen (63.2 %), long-sleeved shirts (42.3 %), long trousers (42.3 %) or hats (24.6 %). Nevertheless, 42.7 % of the surveyed municipalities believe the occupational sun protection of their workers to be adequate or totally adequate.

Andalusian municipalities have very poor occupational SPPP. These results show an urgent need to implement strategies for the prevention of diseases associated with UVR overexposure to protect outdoor workers.