Download all sun safety facts.
Each year there are over 80,000 new cases of skin cancer in Canada, making it the most diagnosed type of cancer. There are also over 1,500 deaths from skin cancer each year and rates are increasing.1
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (from sunlight, indoor tanning beds, or other artificial sources) can be harmful – for example it is the primary cause of skin cancer. Outdoor workers are up to 2.5 – 3.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with skin cancers.1 Outdoor workers are also at risk for developing heat stress when working in the sun.2
There are over 1,500 deaths from skin cancer each year in Canada.1 Even if treated quickly, skin cancer requires surgery and leaves permanent scarring. The average melanoma patient loses 28 days of work per diagnosis.2
Heat stress can occur from sun exposure, your environment, and physical activity.1 Heat stress can lead to a range of serious health issues such as heat cramps, dizziness, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and sometimes it can lead to death.
Heat illnesses as a result of heat stress are seen more often in younger workers, those who are new to the job and in industries with substantial outdoor work.1
Melanoma skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in young adults.1
Sunburns can cause long-term damage to your skin. Sunburns put you at a much higher risk to develop skin cancer. 1
A tan is your skin’s physiological response to the stress caused by UV.1 Any type and amount of exposure to UV, including from tanning beds, can be harmful and increase your risk of skin cancer.
A ‘base tan’ is a tan equivalent to a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 2-4, which is not sufficient to protect your skin from a sunburn or skin cancer.1
Skin damage from UV is often not properly repaired by your body. Continued UV exposure and damage to your skin can lead to skin cancer and other skin conditions.
While skin cancer is more common in people with fair skin, people with all skin types and colours can develop skin cancer. Skin cancer in people with darker skin is often detected at a more advanced stage and so the outcomes tend to be more serious. 1
The UV Index is a measure of the level of sunburning UV radiation we are exposed to. It is not related to temperature. Many factors contribute to UV levels including latitude, altitude, air pollutants, cloud, time of year, and time of day. You can monitor the UV Index by checking your local weather forecast.
Clouds only block 20% of the sun’s UV.1 You still need to use sun protection on cloudy days.
Snow can reflect up to 88% of UV1, which can increase your UV exposure. Reflected UV is particularly bad for your eyes and may lead to a condition called photokeratitis or snow blindness.
Using a sunscreen that is SPF 30, broad spectrum, and water-resistant can be a good way to protect yourself. However, most people don’t apply it evenly or apply enough sunscreen, so the ‘real’ SPF can be much lower.1 Sunscreen should be used in combination with covering up, wearing a wide-brimmed hat or hard hat with brim and using neck flap, wearing UV protective eyewear, seeking shade, and staying out of the sun whenever possible.
Sunscreen ingredients are tested and must follow health guidelines to make sure they are safe to use. Some advocacy groups claim that certain chemicals in sunscreens are harmful and may increase your risk of developing cancer, however none of these chemicals (oxybenzone, retinyl pamitate, and parabens) have been found to pose a cancer risk.1
Apply sunscreen as directed on the bottle, and reapply every few hours. If you’re sweating or working hard throughout the day, it’s recommended that you reapply more often.
Apply sunscreen first before applying insect repellent.1 You should reapply sunscreen as needed, and more often if you’ve been in the water or sweating. Insect repellent tends to last longer.
Front windshields can be made from laminate glass, which provides good protection from solar UV. Side windows are made from tempered glass which blocks some but not all solar UV.1
For most locations in Canada, we often receive enough solar UV from incidental exposure throughout the day to produce sufficient vitamin D.1 Vitamin D can also be obtained safely from foods like dairy products, fatty fish, fortified foods, and supplements.2
Some clothing can be hotter to wear, but research indicates that wearing long pants does not appreciably affect your body temperature or your body’s response to working in a hot environment.1
Acclimatization your body’s ability to adapt to working in a hot environment. This happens by slowly increasing the time and intensity of your outdoor work in a hot environment. However, you can quickly lose the benefits of acclimatization, even over a weekend. After seven consecutive days of not working in a hot environment you are no longer sufficiently acclimatized, and should begin the process again.1 Some agencies in Canada indicate that outdoor workers generally do not work long enough at high enough temperatures to become acclimatized.2
People who are not physically fit or who have a range of underlying health conditions take longer to become acclimatized.1
Being sufficiently hydrated is critical to avoiding heat stress. Once you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. During moderate activity in moderately hot conditions, workers should drink about one cup of water every 15-20 minutes.1
To help prevent heat stress, eat a balanced diet rather than taking salt tablets.1 Too much salt can cause higher body temperatures, increase thirst, and lead to other illness.
