Banner with employees in BP® protective clothing (PPE).

UV protection on the construction site: What is the best way to protect myself?

Historically construction workers have been at greater risk of developing cancer from their work than any other industry group. Among the occupational groups particularly at risk are the so-called outdoor workers, who are frequently exposed to the sun during their diverse outdoor work.

Employers are obliged to take all measures to protect their employees from harmful UV rays. Very different forms of personal protective equipment (PPE) are used - from head protection to workwear to skin protection.

In this blog we will look at how the right workwear can contribute to UV protection.

Two construction workers are wearing high-visibility clothing in neon yellow with UV protection.

UV protection at work is becoming increasingly important

When the weather is nice, working outdoors is fun. At the same time, however, the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays increase the risk of white skin cancer. The incidence of skin cancer has increased dramatically in recent decades. There are around 16,700 new melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK every year, that's 46 every day (2016-2018). And there are around 2,300 melanoma skin cancer deaths in the UK every year, that's more than 6 every day (2017-2019).

The sun's rays damage the genetic material of the skin cells. To a certain extent, the body can recognise and repair this damage. However, if the skin is exposed to the sun too intensively and for too long, cancer cells can develop.

Cf. Cancer Research UK: Melanoma skin cancer statistics

A construction worker in the heat wears work clothes with UV protection in neon yellow.

Shirt, trousers, hat and high sun protection factor

When it comes to measures, the TOP principle requires that technical measures be taken first, then organisational measures and finally personal measures, as is generally the case when eliminating all hazards in the workplace.

One of the technical and organisational measures for UV protection is that working hours should not be during the most sun-intensive time between 11 am and 2 pm. Of course, this is not always possible in everyday working life. Therefore, in the end, personal protective measures must be taken in the vast majority of cases.

The first thing you need for proper sun protection is headgear. UV-protective hats and caps do a good job here, but are not suitable for all activities. For example, in some typical jobs, such as brush-cutting, a problem arises: The brush cutter combinations that workers have to wear have openings in the neck area and on the head - in other words, precisely those places that are particularly exposed to the sun's rays.

But UV protection does not stop at the head: Work clothing also plays an important role. It is crucial for the acceptance of the clothing that it is light and comfortable to wear. After all, UV protection is mainly used when it is warm.

A construction worker wears a high-visibility jumper with UV protection and stops at a bicycle.

High-visibility protection with integrated UV protection

Many employees - for example those who work in the municipal sector - have to wear high-visibility clothing at work. This applies, for example, to all those who work in road construction or in waste and disposal companies.

Without high-visibility high-visibility clothing certified according to the EN ISO 20471 standard, they cannot carry out their activities safely. That is why high-visibility clothing is mandatory - in the dark, at dust, but also during the day. High-visibility clothing must also protect against UV rays.

Because the requirements and personal preferences of workers wearing high-visibility clothing vary greatly, leading manufacturers offer wearers in this field a wide range. The product range extends from weather protection jackets to waistcoats, soft shell jackets, T-shirts and polo shirts to long and short trousers.

Not all protection clothing is the same

There are several standards that deal with UV protecction. For workwear, you often come across UV standard 801 and EN 13758, so it is important to know the differences:

UV Standard 801: The internationally recognised measuring method is used to determine the UV protection value of textiles. Using a sun spectrum that corresponds to Australia's solar radiation, textiles are also tested in wet, stretched, washed condition and after characteristic use stress. The measurement of the UV protection factor according to UV Standard 801 is always based on the most unfavourable wearing and usage conditions. That is why it is considered particularly demanding.

EN 13758: This standard describes a test of UV irradiation on textiles in a new, dry and unstretched state with a solar spectrum that corresponds to the solar irradiation of New Mexico (USA). In this way, a supposedly high UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) is quickly achieved. BP® shirting already achieves UPF 50+ after this test. BP® always chooses the safer route and therefore has the BP® Hi-Vis collection tested according to UV Standard 801.

As with all other forms of PPE, UV protective clothing is not only about the protective function, but also about many other details such as wearing comfort, freedom of movement or the functionality of the clothing. After all, what good is the best UV protection if the clothing is not comfortable and does not support the wearer in his typical work processes.

No complete protection without skin protection products

The use of UV Standard 801 certified textiles can be an important contribution to preventing skin damage from UV radiation. However, it is important to note that no clothing offers 100% protection from UV rays and that additional sun protection such as sunscreen and shade is recommended even when using certified textile products.

No matter how well you protect yourself with a hat and clothing: The particularly neuralgic parts of the body such as the nose, ears, lower lip, neck or hands must always be covered with sunscreen. These so-called sun terraces are often the parts of the body where white skin cancer develops.

UV protection for women

In the past, women in particular often faced this problem because there was no protective clothing in a women's fit. This was a problem especially in the area of high-visibility protection, where the proportion of women is comparatively high. That's why BP was one of the first manufacturers to develop women's high-visibility clothing that meets the same UV standards as men's clothing.

Woman wearing BProtected work clothing on railway tracks.

UV protection on the construction site: how to protect yourself and get support

Working outdoors in good weather is enjoyable, but it also carries risks. The sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage the skin and increase the risk of skin cancer. People who regularly or predominantly work outdoors are particularly affected.

Various protective measures come into play here, from headgear to suitable work clothing to skin protection. However, it is important to know that no clothing offers absolute protection against UV rays. Therefore, it is advisable to use additional sun protection such as sunscreen. There are also various standards for UV protection, such as UV Standard 801 and EN 13758, which regulate how textiles are tested for their UV protection properties.

Occupational skin protection products are also important, especially those with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 to 50. The good news is that employers often cover the cost of protecting their employees. In many cases, the responsibility for skin protection lies with employers and they should provide appropriate measures such as protective clothing and creams.

Overall, UV protection on the construction site is a serious concern. With the right measures and support from employers as well as BG BAU, workers can help minimise the risks of UV radiation and protect their health. Stay safe and take good care of your skin!

Blog author and workwear expert:

Mark Mauderer, content manager at Bierbaum-Proenen (BP), a leading manufacturer of workwear for care, shares his extensive expertise in this field. He offers profound insights into BP's decades of experience in the development of high-quality care garments.