The burning issue

Employers have a legal 'duty of care' to assess the risks of working in the sun and to take preventative action such as choosing the right protective equipment and skin care products.

Sunscreen is of paramount importance for helping to reduce the risks of damage to the skin. Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30 means that the product will stop 95-97% of UVB rays and allow 30 times longer in the sun before burning than without it.

However, it is important that the product is applied correctly; even on a cloudy day, 30-50% of the sun's rays reach the skin so sunscreen should be liberally applied every 2-3 hours.

Christine Mottershead, marketing director at Deb advises: "As Sun Safety Week approaches, it is important to look at the needs of outdoor workers." Christine suggests: "Organisations should work with companies who are experts in skin care to provide a systemised skin safety solution along with providing advice and educational materials based on the HSE's 6-point code."