Ultraviolet Radiation

Hazards of daily exposure on site

In recent years there has been growing concern over the health risks of exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Construction workers are particularly at risk because they often work outdoors.

Long-term health risks of UV exposure include:

• skin cancers
• eye damage
• weakening of the immune system
• premature aging of the skin.

Melanoma in men rising faster than any other cancer.

Skin Cancers

Every year, there has been an alarming increase in the incidence of skin cancer. Sunlight is the main source of ultraviolet radiation (UV) known to damage the skin and cause skin cancer. Exposure to the sun's UV radiation is widely recognized as a highly preventable cause of skin cancer. Studies show that people who work outside, such as construction workers, are at risk for developing skin cancer and need to be educated on the damaging effects of the sun and how to protect themselves.

Melanoma is the least common but most dangerous type of skin cancer. The incidence of melanoma in men is rising faster than all other cancers.

According to the Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA), the mortality rate from malignant melanoma is increasing, particularly in middle-aged males.

Melanomas most often appear on the upper back, head, and neck. The CDA also notes that there is generally a lag time of 10 to 30 years for the clinical appearance of skin cancer to occur.

Consequently, it is critical for young workers to beware of the cumulative effect of unprotected sun exposure. The more time they spend unprotected in the sun, the higher the risk of developing skin cancer.

Although most construction workers generally cover up their arms, legs, and torso on site, their faces and necks are still exposed to the sun's harmful rays. In addition, areas like the tips of the ears and the lips are often overlooked when it comes to sun protection.

The type of skin cancer that develops on the ear or the lip has a high chance of spreading to other parts of the body and causing death. Melanoma may also occur on the sun-exposed parts of the head and neck. In fact the majority of skin cancers (2 out of 3) occur on the head and neck, followed by the forearm and back of the hand. Workers too often leave these critical areas exposed to the harmful effects of UV radiation.

Individual risk factors for developing skin cancer include:

• fair skin that burns easily
• blistering sunburns in childhood and adolescence
• family history of melanoma
• many freckles and moles.

Wide-brim hard hats help to shade skin and eyes as
well as protect against rain and falling debris.

Eye Damage

Eye damage from overexposure to sunlight may cause short-term and long-term health effects.

Short-term effects may be:

• frequent blinking and watering of the eyes
• intolerance to strong light
• blurred vision.

Long-term effects include:

• growth of the eye lining (conjunctiva) to the point where it interferes with vision
• cataracts that cloud vision.

Immune System

Recent research shows that overexposure to UV radiation decreases the body's ability to fight bacteria and viruses. This makes the body more susceptible to infection and illness.

Skin Aging

Constant exposure to the sun accelerates the skin's aging process, resulting in blemishes and wrinkles.

Additional Risk Factors

In addition to the harmful effects of the sun's direct rays, some workers may be exposed to indirect UV radiation. Workers can receive additional radiation if they are on or near a surface that reflects sunlight (see front cover). Reflective surfaces such as concrete, water, unpainted corrugated steel, building glass, and aluminum can increase the amount of ultraviolet radiation to which a worker is exposed.

Another source of indirect UV radiation is from the hard hat itself. UV rays can reflect off the hard hat onto a worker's face, magnifying the amount of UV exposure.

Although all construction workers are at risk, those who don't have ready access to shade and/or work at heights are at a higher risk for UV overexposure. These trades include:

• concrete finishing workers
• roofers
• rodworkers
• formworkers on high-rise and residential sites
• roadworkers
• traffic signallers
• ironworkers

In addition, working at sites with southern exposure limits the daytime shade available and increases UV exposure.

Even indirect exposure can be harmful. Remember–even on cloudy or hazy days, UV radiation can penetrate the atmosphere and burn your skin.

Spot Check

Normal mole: round or oval, even colour. Many moles - increased risk of melanoma skin cancer.	Atypical mole: mix of browns, smudged border, often bigger than than 5mm. Increased risk of melanoma skin cancer

Melanmoma Skin Cancer: Potentially Deadly Look for changes in:
COLOUR - new colour, black, brown, red, blue or white.
SHAPE- irregular border scalloped but well-defined	SIZE- enlarges

Actinic Keratoses - not skin cancer. Indicates excess sun exposure over many years. Red, rough, scaly spots, may itch or sting. Increased risk of skin cancer.

Basal cell skin cancer: can cause disfigurement. Flesh-coloured, red or black, round bumpwith a pearly border, develops into ulcerating sore.

Squamous skin cancer: Can be life-threatening Thickened, red, scaly bump or wart-like growth, develops into a raised, crusted sore.

Common skin cancers usually appear on sun exposed areas.

See you dermatologist if you note any of the above

Spot Check courtesy of Canadian Dermatology Association

• Supply workers with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.
• Ensure adequate shaded areas for workers on breaks and lunch.
• If possible, rotate workers to shaded areas of the jobsite.
• Educate workers on the hazards of UV radiation.
• Ensure that workers use UV-absorbent safety glasses.