Employers and workers warned on dangers of too much sun

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published two new leaflets on the dangers of too much exposure to the sun.

Sun exposure has been linked to skin damage including sunburn, blistering, skin ageing and, in the longer term, skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK, with over 40,000 new cases every year. People with pale skin are most vulnerable to ultra violet (UV) related skin problems, particularly those with freckles, red hair, or with a family predisposition to the disease.

One leaflet is for employers responsible for staff whose work keeps them outside for most of the day and the other is aimed at workers. The employers' leaflet suggests they should protect employees with measures such as:

* the provision of advice as part of general health and safety training;

* encouraging workers to cover up (with hats and long sleeved shirts) in hot weather;

* recommending the use of sun screen with at least factor 15 protection; and

* suggesting that workers check their skin regularly for abnormalities - for example moles or unusual spots that change size.

Sun protection advice for employers of outdoor workers and Keep your top on, aimed at workers, are available free as single copies or in priced packs of 20 from HSE Books.

HSE Books can be contacted at PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2WA, tel: 01787-881165 or fax: 01787-313995; online orders: www.hsebooks.co.uk