What is this document?
INDG147, titled "Keep Your Top On", is the HSE's guidance on reducing health risks from sun exposure for outdoor workers. It provides practical advice on protecting yourself and your employees from ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK, with over 40,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Outdoor workers who are regularly exposed to the sun face increased risks and need proper protection.
Who needs to read this?
- Outdoor workers in construction, farming, landscaping, and similar trades
- Employers with staff who work outside
- Site managers and supervisors responsible for outdoor teams
- Construction and building contractors
- Agricultural and horticultural workers
- Utility workers and those in highways maintenance
- Delivery drivers and those who spend time outdoors
- Waste collection workers
- Anyone who works outside for extended periods
Key points covered
The HSE guidance addresses:
- Health risks from UV radiation including skin cancer and sunburn
- Who is most at risk from sun exposure at work
- Warning signs of skin damage and when to seek medical advice
- Protective measures employers should put in place
- Personal protection for individual workers
- Chemical interactions that can make skin more sensitive to sunlight
How this applies to you
UV radiation should be treated as an occupational hazard for outdoor workers. Employers have a legal duty to protect their employees from the effects of UV radiation as far as is reasonably practicable.
Understand the risks
The dangers from sun exposure include:
- Skin cancer which can be fatal if not treated early
- Sunburn which damages skin and increases cancer risk
- Heat exhaustion and heat stroke in hot conditions
- Eye damage from bright sunlight
The first warning signs of skin cancer are often a small scabby spot that does not heal after a few weeks, changed or newly formed moles, or skin discolouration. Pay particular attention to growths on the face, especially around the nose and eyes, or on the backs of the hands.
Employer responsibilities
Employers should:
- Include sun protection advice in routine health and safety training
- Plan work to minimise sun exposure during the hottest part of the day
- Provide shade where possible for break areas
- Encourage workers to keep covered and use sunscreen
- Consider whether certain medications or chemicals used at work might make skin more sensitive
Personal protection
Workers can protect themselves by:
- Keeping covered with long-sleeved shirts and trousers where practical
- Wearing a hat with a brim or flap that protects ears and neck
- Using sunscreen of at least SPF 30 on exposed skin, reapplying regularly
- Taking breaks in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm when UV is strongest
- Drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration
- Checking skin regularly for any changes or unusual marks
Be aware of increased sensitivity
Certain factors can make skin more sensitive to sunlight:
- Some medications
- Contact with certain chemicals at work (such as dyes, wood preservatives, coal-tar and pitch products)
- Contact with certain plants
If any of these apply, extra care is needed.
Related Safety Clarity content
- Workplace Safety Requirements - General employer duties for health and safety
Source: This page summarises HSE guidance document INDG147. For the full official guidance, visit the HSE website.