When working outdoors in the Sun the effects of the weather in this environment can potentially have a very serious impact on an employees welfare if the risks have never been previously considered or managed properly. This impact maybe immediate or it may occur over a long time period. The risk of sunburn, dehydration and Heat Stress must be guarded against as they can lead to serious damage to health if ignored. Too much sunlight is harmful to your skin. A tan is a sign that the skin has been damaged. The damage is caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight. In the short term, even mild reddening of the skin from sun exposure is a sign of damage. Sunburn can blister the skin and make it peel. Longer term problems can arise. Too much sun exposure can cause skin damage including sunburn, blistering and speeds up ageing of the skin, making it leathery, mottled and wrinkled. The most serious effect is an increased chance of developing skin cancer. Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the UK with over 50,000 new cases every year. Sun protection is important and people need to realise that sunburnt skin is damaged skin. A suntan is not a sign of good health.

What can you do to protect yourself?

Keep your top on, wearing long sleeve shirts or loose clothing with a close weave and long trousers stops most UV)
Wear a hat with a brim or a flap that covers the ears and the back of the neck.
More frequent rest breaks;
Stay in the shade whenever possible.
Take breaks in the shade whenever possible especially at lunch time.
Schedule work to cooler times of the day where possible.
Use a high factor sunscreen of at least SPF15 on any exposed skin.
Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
Check your skin regularly for any unusual moles or spots. See a doctor promptly if you find anything that is changing in shape, size or colour, itching or bleeding.

The following website also provide useful information:

SunSmart: the UK's national skin cancer prevention campaign run by Cancer Research: http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/healthyliving/sunsmart/

What is the maximum temperature in indoor workplaces?

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 lay down particular requirements for most aspects of the working environment Regulation 7 of these Regulations deals specifically with the temperature in indoor workplaces and states that during working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable. However, the application of the regulation depends on the nature of the workplace i.e. a bakery, a cold store, an office, a warehouse.

The associated ACOP goes on to explain:

The temperature in workrooms should provide reasonable comfort and all reasonable steps should be taken to achieve a reasonably comfortable temperature. 'Workroom' means a room where people normally work for more than short periods.

Provide air-cooling plant, shading windows and sitting workstations away from places subject to radiant heat.

Where a reasonably comfortable temperature cannot be achieved throughout a workroom, local cooling should be provided. In extremely hot weather fans and increased ventilation may be used instead of local cooling.

Where, despite the provision of local cooling, workers are exposed to temperatures which do not give reasonable comfort, rest facilities should be provided. Where practical there should be systems of work (for example, task rotation) to ensure that the length of time for which individual workers are exposed to uncomfortable temperatures is limited.