Association of occupational sun safety policy and actions in state transportation sector in the United States

Abstract

Background Occupational sun protection is recommended by government health authorities. Sun safety policies and predictors of managers’ reports of sun safety actions were assessed. Methods Written policies from 21 state departments of transportation (DOTs) enrolled in a randomized trial to test methods for scaling‐up an occupational sun safety intervention were coded for sun safety content at baseline. Managers (n = 1113) supervising outdoor workers reported on sun safety actions in a baseline survey. Results Twenty state DOTs (95.2%) have a policy with at least one sun protection component. Sun safety training was increased at workplaces with a written sun safety policy (p < 0.001) and unwritten standard procedures on sun protection (p < 0.001). Reported sun safety actions were highest where there was a written sun safety policy (p < 0.001) and unwritten standard procedures on sun protection (p < 0.001). Conclusions Policies are essential for the implementation of employee sun safety. There is room for improvement in existing policies of state DOTs.

Barriers and Facilitators in the Creation of a Surveillance System for Solar Radiation-Induced Skin Cancers

“…It is important to note, however, that education campaigns aimed at increasing knowledge of skin cancer risk factors or cancer prevention activities for workers are unlikely to be successful if they are not implemented within a comprehensive sun safety program which includes a commitment to the provision of resources and tools to act upon this knowledge, including provision of shade structures, sunscreen dispensers, and/or sun protective clothing, for example. 75, 76…”

“…It is important to note, however, that education campaigns aimed at increasing knowledge of skin cancer risk factors or cancer prevention activities for workers are unlikely to be successful if they are not implemented within a comprehensive sun safety program which includes a commitment to the provision of resources and tools to act upon this knowledge, including provision of shade structures, sunscreen dispensers, and/or sun protective clothing, for example. 75,76 Safety programs for any hazard, sun included, can range from informal work practices up to formalized structures with requirements, activities, and persons responsible clearly identified, and in general, a sun safety program that considers multiple preventive considerations is likelier to be successful. Programs have been developed over the years to help support employers in controlling exposure to solar UVR among their workers.…”