Understanding young adults’ sun safety practices in the workplace

BackgroundCurrent literature suggests young outdoor workers experience a higher risk for workplace exposures including elevated risk of sun related health risks for outdoor workers.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess young workers' understanding of sun-related hazards and associated sun safety practices in the workplace.MethodsA survey targeted young workers ages 18 -25 years in Canada and the United Kingdom either currently or previously employed. The full survey was on a variety of workplace hazards, and we report here on the subset of respondents who reported working outdoors for at least part of their typical day, for which a sun safety-related module was also asked. A sample of survey respondents were also invited to participate in a focus group.ResultsNearly all (97%) of the 760 outdoor workers reported knowledge of skin cancer being a risk of sun exposure, but few workers (13.9%) reported receiving sun or heat safety training. Over half (65%) reported little concern about workplace sun exposure. Self-reporting of sun safe practices among respondents, such as often wearing UVR protective clothing (7.5%) was poor.ConclusionsFindings suggest that young workers have moderate awareness of workplace sun safety, but generally reported poor adherence with sun-safe practices at work.