Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

ResearchWellbeing and health promotionOccupational Health

Golf course workers more worried about injuries than sunburn

by Ashleigh Webber 6 Nov 2018
by Ashleigh Webber 6 Nov 2018

Two-thirds (68%) of outdoor workers are more worried about work-related injuries than sunburn, research into Irish golf course maintenance workers’ attitudes to sun protection has found.

Research by University College Dublin and Hacettepe University in Turkey, which was published in the journal Occupational Medicine, found that, despite workers being exposed to ultraviolet radiation and therefore being at a higher risk of developing skin cancer than those who spent most of their working day indoors, only one in 10 had received training on how to stay safe in the sun.

Sunburn

Employers should protect outdoor workers during warm weather

Skin cancer responsible for 8% of cancer-related claims, reveals insurer

Seventy-six per cent of the 156 staff surveyed said they regularly used sunscreen; 78% drank water while working; 73% wore peaked caps and 58% wore sunglasses.

Attitudes towards protective equipment varied depending on the worker’s age, with those aged 18-44 more likely to wear sunscreen (82%) than those aged 45 and over (64%). They were also more likely to wear sunglasses (64% versus 46%).

Despite the increased risk of sun exposure, only 58% said their employer provided sunscreen; 54% offered protective clothing (such as a peaked cap); and only 22% supplied sunglasses.

Dr Anjali Mahto, a consultant dermatologist at the British Skin Foundation, advised those who work outdoors to wear a high protection sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.

“Sunburn causes direct damage to DNA in skin cells resulting in inflammation and in extreme cases, cell death. Sunburn will increase the risk of developing skin cancer and care should be taken to limit exposure,” said Dr Mahto.

Lisa Bickerstaffe, spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation, said: “Failing to take appropriate measures to protect the skin from UV rays when working outdoors can have potentially life threatening consequences later on.

“Employers of those that work outdoors could provide a uniform that includes sun protective clothing such as legionnaire-style hats, long sleeves and sunglasses.”

The study also found a strong correlation between sunscreen use and knowledge about skin cancer, but there was no difference in usage patterns whether or not the employer supplied sunscreen.

Ashleigh Webber
Ashleigh Webber

Ashleigh is editor at OHW+ and HR and wellbeing editor at Personnel Today. Ashleigh's areas of interest include employee health and wellbeing, equality and inclusion and skills development. She has hosted many webinars for Personnel Today, on topics including employee retention, financial wellbeing and menopause support. Prior to joining Personnel Today in 2018, she covered the road transport sector for Commercial Motor and Motor Transport magazines, touching on some of the employment and wellbeing issues experienced by those in road haulage.

previous post
Third of HR professionals face unethical behaviour
next post
Women’s state pension age rises to 65

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

You may also like

Insight into severity of menopause symptoms

27 May 2022

Occupational health reforms ‘need momentum’, urges SOM

27 May 2022

CPD: Understanding occupational health career pathways (on-demand webinar)

26 May 2022

Record prostate cancer screenings post-pandemic

24 May 2022

Signs of severe eating disorders often missed, warns...

23 May 2022

GPs call for new OH service to relieve...

23 May 2022

Occupational health key to helping employers manage long...

23 May 2022

Three in 10 say physical health has worsened...

20 May 2022

Obesity prevalence projections show 36% will be obese...

20 May 2022

NHS pressures leaving thousands waiting for cancer diagnosis

17 May 2022

  • The importance of being an ethical leader and how to become one PROMOTED | What is ethical leadership?...Read more
  • RPO Report: 2022, The Year to Outsource PROMOTED | Employers should be overwhelmed with choice...Read more
  • Report: Enabling organisational agility through talent & people success PROMOTED | Work has been challenged...Read more
  • Employee Trends 2022 report PROMOTED | Edenred research on employees analysed the key employees’ trends for 2022...Read more
  • How finance apprenticeships can boost business PROMOTED | As the world’s most forward-thinking professional accountancy body...Read more
  • Paul Devoy: Showing appreciation to the Investors in People community PROMOTED | Ask most people what comes to mind when you mention Investors in People...Read more
  • White paper: How digitalisation can support evolving occupational health PROMOTED | Download this free white paper to discover how digitalisation can help occupational health meet emerging challenges...Read more

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2022

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2022 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today