Protection From UV Radiation

All skin types can suffer damage from exposure to sunlight. It is important that you protect your skin from prolonged exposure to solar UV radiation regardless of your skin type.

 

If you are exposed to solar UV radiation over a prolonged period of time you can experience damage to the cornea, formation of cataracts and pterygia. Cataracts are like a white colouring of the lens of your eye. Pterygoid are wing-shaped growths of tissue on the eye and can cause symptoms like a mild case of conjunctivitis.

 

Several factors contribute to an increased risk of developing skin cancer:

• exposure during childhood;

• outdoor activities - for example, a job where you work outside, suntanning, outdoor leisure and sporting activities;

• living closer to the equator - Queensland has a higher rate of diagnosed skin cancers than Tasmania;

• being outdoors when solar UV radiation is more intense - between the hours of 10.00am and 2.00pm (11.00am and 3.00pm when there is daylight saving);

• having a fair complexion, blue eyes and freckles, and skin which tans poorly and burns easily.

 

People who have already had a skin cancer or keratoses also have an increased risk of developing skin cancer.

UV Protection Solutions

There is a lot you can do to reduce the amount of sunlight you are exposed to, both in your leisure time and during work.

 

Most cancers can be prevented by protecting your skin and eyes from sunlight. Where possible your employer should lessen the amount of exposure to solar UV radiation by providing shade. Trees, buildings or other structures can be used. If you do not have these objects available, shade can be created by the use of canopies, tents, screens and other portable structures which are easy to put up and take down.

 

Clear car glass has a protection factor of about 13 SPF while some window tints have higher protection factors, so when driving for long periods consider keeping your windows up.

 

Another option is to change your work routine so that you work indoors between the hours of 10.00 am and 2.00 pm (11.00 am and 3.00 pm when there is daylight saving).

 

UV Protection Monitors

There are a lot of UV protection monitors on the market. We review UV protection monitors by price, brand, expert opinion, consumer reviews, buying conditions, quality and more, to help you choose the best UV protection monitor model without paying a lot. We recommend you this small, portable device for measuring harmful ultraviolet light radiations

 

Clothing

Try to wear clothing that gives good protection from the sun - for example, trousers instead of shorts, a hat and a long-sleeve shirt with a collar.

 

Sunscreens

Sun protection factor, more commonly known as SPF, is a classification based on prescribed standards. The higher the SPF, up to 15+, the greater your level of protection. A sunscreen works best if you reapply it every two hours. Remember, no sunscreen can give you full protection from sunlight.

 

Lip protection

Lip cancer from prolonged exposure to sunlight is common in outdoor workers. Your lips should be protected with an SPF 15+ sunscreen or lip protection with the same rating. There is a wide range of cheap Sun Protection Lip Balms available on Amazon

 

Eye protection

If you work in a highly reflective environment then it is recommended that you wear sunglasses that meet prescribed standard, such as UV sunglasses with UV and blue light protection.

 

 

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