Be sun smart this summer

Staying sun smart over summer is a challenge many tradies will take on (and fail). If that’s you, check out Site Safe’s top tips and resources to help you protect yourself against harmful UV rays

We’re well into summer in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and many of us have welcomed the warmer weather with open arms. 

However, the seasonal change also brings some added health and safety risks for those working onsite during the summer months and, while these can be easy to overlook, those who don’t take these risks seriously can pay the ultimate price.

The sun can be deadly

Skin cancer, mainly caused by overexposure to ultraviolet rays (UV), is the most common cancer in New Zealand, with more than 80,000 Kiwis getting it each year, according to the Cancer Society.

With this in mind, check out Site Safe’s list of practical safety advice below:

1. Slip into shade

• Reduce your sun exposure where possible by taking regular breaks in the shade.
• Avoid long periods of work in direct midday sunshine.

2. Slip on sun-protective clothing

• Protect yourself with UV-protected clothing.
• Wear UPF50+ rated lightweight long pants and long sleeved shirts in lighter colours with adequate air flow or ventilation to help keep your temperature down.

3. Slop sunscreen on exposed skin

• Choose a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of at least SPF30.
• Ensure the AS/NZ 2604 standard is on the label.
• Apply at least 15 minutes before going outside.
• Reapply at least every two hours.

4. Slap on a hat

• Use a hard hat with a front brim.
• If the back of your neck is going to be exposed to the sun for long periods of time, use a neck flap or a combination full brim with neck flap.

5. Wrap on tinted safety glasses

• Wear close fitting, wrap-around styles.
• Ensure the AS/NZ 1337 standard is on the glasses.

6. Hydrate

• Drink plenty of water regularly throughout the day to stay hydrated.
• Keep a water bottle nearby and drink before you are thirsty.
• Drink 150 to 200ml of water every 15 to 20 minutes, rather than consume a 1L drink every now and again.
• Most people need about eight glasses of water per day, but if you’re working in all day heat, it’s likely you will need more.
• Drinking water is preferable to drinking coffee, tea and energy drinks.
• You can still enjoy the odd tea or coffee as they are only mildly diuretic. However, energy drinks contain large amounts of caffeine (and sugar), which can have more extreme diuretic effects and can lead to dehydration.

The Site Safe summer safety poster can be downloaded for free. 

Site Safe members also have exclusive access to our Working in Summer toolbox talk, which identifies hazards, symptoms and signs, and specific controls to best manage these risks. You can access them on the Site Safe website.

The Cancer Society and WorkSafe NZ also have some valuable resources and safety tips on being sun smart and working safely in extreme temperatures. They can be found at sunsmart.org.nz and on the worksafe website. 

 

Site Safe NZ Inc is a not-for-profit, membership-based organisation that promotes a culture of safety in the New Zealand construction and related industries.