It’s important to protect staff from being exposed to too much sun – especially as our summers become warmer. Research suggests a third of those who work outdoors in the UK don’t wear sun cream to protect themselves from UV (ultra-violet) radiation. With this in mind it’s vital employers understand and educate employees about the health risks associated with sun exposure. Below we explore five ways employers can make a difference.
Understand who is most at risk
We all probably remember a holiday where we’ve overdone it and paid the price for spending too much time in the sun, probably experiencing sunburn, redness, peeling skin and potentially even serious burns. Even occasional sunburn can cause skin damage. The main thing to recognise as an employer is that any employee working outside can be at risk of over-exposure to the sun.
Having said that, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) points out there are some people who should take particular care. These include those with fair or freckled skin that doesn’t tan, goes red or burns easily, those with red or fair hair and light-coloured eyes, and anyone who has a large number of moles. All outdoor workers should also take care to avoid damage to the eyes, overheating from the sun or dehydration.
Raise awareness and offer safety precautions
The good news is that as an employer there is a lot you can do to communicate the importance of sun protection, for example:
- Encourage staff to keep covered up during the summer months, even if only a short-sleeved shirt, especially at lunchtime when the sun is at its hottest.
- Make sure outdoor workers are wearing a protective hat, ideally one with a brim or a flap that covers the ears and the back of the neck.
- Encourage staff to use (and potentially provide) sunscreen of at least SPF (sun protection factor) 15, and ideally higher, on any part of the body they can’t cover up.
- Make sure employees stay in the shade whenever possible, especially during breaks and during the hours of 11am – 3pm when the sun is at its highest. A good way to do this is to site water points and rest areas in the shade.
- Consider scheduling work to minimise exposure, for example adjusting shifts to earlier or later in the day.
- Encourage staff to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, and make sure they have access to a regular water supply.
Understand what sun exposure is
Especially in the UK, where our summer months don’t tend to be marked by day after day of blazing sunshine, it can be easy to become complacent about the need for sun protection. However, even a hazy or overcast summer’s day can be dangerous in terms of sun exposure. As the charity Cancer Research UK explains, the sun can be strong enough to cause sunburn from mid-March to mid-October in the UK. Even if it’s cold or cloudy, during these months the sun will still be strong enough to damage your skin if you’re not careful.
One way to monitor risk levels is to look for the day’s UV index (often included on weather forecasts). If it is at three or above, you will need to think about protecting your skin.
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health also makes the important point that up to 80% of UV rays can travel through clouds, highlighting why, even on a cloudy day, an outdoor worker can be at risk.
Recognise the value of ongoing training and education
Protecting your employees from sunburn or sun exposure makes obvious business sense in terms of reduced absence from work as well as looking after their own long-term health. However, it is a message that may need continual communication to help encourage employees to take precautions.
Further advice can be found at Cancer Research UK as well as here.
It’s key is to try and ensure these messages are being regularly communicated and taken seriously, perhaps through regular talks and education. It’s also important that managers or team supervisors working outside model best behaviour – such as wearing sunscreen and a hat and staying in the shade where possible – to give ‘permission’ to their co-workers to do the same.
Steps to take if a worker suffers from sun exposure
Finally, the fact it is so easy to get caught out and overdo it in the sun means it is important for employers and employees to know what to do if this does happen. There are two elements to this: short and longer term. In the short term, as this advice from the NHS explains, get out of the sun immediately, hydrate with plenty of fluids, cool the skin and moisturise it. If needed, take painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.
Skin may peel and flake, which is normal, but if a worker is experiencing blistering or swelling, chills or fever, or signs of heat exhaustion or sunstroke, they need to seek medical advice. The NHS had provided further information here including in what circumstances to call 999.
Longer term, it is good practice to encourage employees, especially those who work regularly outside, to be alert to the danger of skin cancer and to get into the habit of checking their skin for any changes.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK, with more than 400,000 people diagnosed each year. The earlier a diagnosis, the more chance of a positive outcome and full recovery.
Changes to moles or blemishes can be a possible warning sign (though it may also be harmless). If you spot a change in your skin it is important to get it checked by your GP. Take a look at the NHS website for further advice and visual examples on what to look out for.
We have provided some general advice on this matter, but it is also important to follow any internal guidance your company may provide, such as an outdoor workers policy or a set of sun safety guidelines.
Ref: WPW0247 this information was updated April 2025.
