Alarmingly, nearly one-in-three deaths from non-melanoma skin cancer result from working under the sun, according to a recent study from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
THE GLOBAL IMPACT
In 2019, an estimated 1.6 billion people of working age were exposed to solar ultraviolet radiation while working outdoors. This figure represents 28% of all working-age individuals. In the same year, almost 19,000 people in 183 countries died from non-melanoma skin cancer due to outdoor work in the sun. The majority of these individuals (65%) were male.
THE RISING THREAT
Occupational exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation is the work-related risk factor with the third highest attributable burden of cancer deaths globally. From 2000 to 2019, skin cancer deaths attributable to occupational sunlight exposure nearly doubled, increasing by 88%.
THE CALL FOR ACTION
The research emphasizes the need for more action to protect workers from hazardous outdoor work in the sunlight. Since skin cancer develops after years, or even decades of exposure, workers must be protected from solar ultraviolet radiation at work from a young working age.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Governments should establish, implement, and enforce policies and regulations that protect outdoor workers from sun-induced skin cancer. These measures include providing shade, shifting working hours away from the solar noon, providing education and training, and equipping workers with sunscreen and personal protective clothing.
TOOLS FOR PROTECTION
The WHO, ILO, the World Meteorological Organization, and the United Nations Environment Programme have developed the SunSmart Global UV App. This tool allows outdoor workers to estimate their exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation.
