Suggestions for Developing and Implementing UVR Guidelines for Workplace Outdoor Social Activities

Many workers spend their working time indoors and are only exposed to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays (UVR) while attending workplace outdoor social events.  Since most workplaces plan outdoor social events during the summer months, and in Ontario, UVR is most strong between May and August, if your workplace is planning social events such as BBQ’s, ball games, or golf tournaments, then consider making Sun Safety part of the event.

The following are suggestions to help ensure your workplace supports healthy, sun-protective behaviours for all employees during workplace social events.

Develop Sun Safety Guidelines for all outdoor workplace social events

• Sun Safety behaviours will be taken into consideration during the planning phase
• Employees and their families will be highly encouraged to practice Sun Safety behaviours while attending workplace social events
• If feasible, shade structures will be made available at all events

Inform employees of the new guideline

• Post the new guidelines
• Provide employees information on the new guidelines (via H & S meetings, paycheque inserts, newsletters, announcements, voicemail, E-mail etc)

Offer employees Sun Safety education

• In celebration of Cancer Awareness Month, offer sun safety pamphlets to all employees each April (available at the Canadian Cancer Society, 254-5116)
• Host a health fair and have sun safety as one of the selected topics
• Include sun safety information in your employee newsletter
• Provide Health and Safety Officers with first aid training for heat stroke, UV overexposure of the eye and skin

Choose an event location and time that supports Sun Safety

Social events can be hosted:

• During NON-peak UV times, i.e. before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
• In locations that provide adequate shade, i.e. under awnings, canopies, large umbrellas, and tents
• In locations that limit reflection of UVR, i.e. away from snow, sand and water

Implement a sun evaluation strategy to be used for workplace outdoor social events

• A one-page questionnaire form that can document the number of sunburns pre and post events is an efficient way to evaluate the effectiveness of your new sun safety guideline.

What is the ultraviolet index (UVI) and why is it so important to understand when planning outdoor activities?

The UVI is a measure of the intensity of the UVR on the earth’s surface as it relates to the health effects on human skin.  Becoming aware of the daily UVI can lead to informed decisions about practicing sun safety behaviours that will have a lasting effect on health.

Adverse health effects of UVR include acute and chronic changes to skin, eyes and the immune system.  The immediate response to over exposure to UVR on the skin is sunburn.  With chronic exposure over time cumulative skin damage, like freckles, some mole development, and diffuse brown patches can occur.  UVR is the major risk factor for skin cancer, which is the most common cancer diagnosed in Canada.  Chronic exposure to UVR appears to be the major risk factor for cataract development and several studies have reported that over exposure to UVR alters immune responses in humans.  To reduce the risks related to over exposure to UVR for employees and their families, consider the UVI when planning outdoor events.

What do the UVI numbers mean?

The UVI for Canada can be found with weather forecasts on the radio and television, in newspapers and on the Ministry of the Environment’s web site at

http://www.cmc.ec.gc.ca/cmc/air-quality/images/UV_day1.gif or the Weather Network at http://www.theweathernetwork.com/features/uv/pages/UVYQG.htm

Source:  World Health Organization, Global Solar UV Index, a Practical Guide, 2002

http://www.who.int/uv/publications/en/GlobalUVI.pdf