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

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. 

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: Many high-visibility products from well-known manufacturers such as BP comply with this more demanding standard. 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. All BP® Hi-Vis shirts are tested according to this standard and offer at least Protect 30, which is roughly equivalent to sun protection factor 30. The tested fabrics in the BP® Hi-Vis collection have a Protect value of 80.

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.