Skin Cancer Prevention in the Workplace
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Canada (Canadian Cancer Society Statistics, 2007) and the numbers of new cases are continuing to rise. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun and artificial sources has long been associated with the development of skin cancer.
Non-melanoma skin cancer (basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma) is the most common cancer, accounting for approximately one-third of all newly diagnosed cancers. (Canadian Cancer Society, Facts on Skin Cancer, 2006) Non-melanoma skin cancer is primarily due to prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Melanoma has been linked to intense short-term exposure as well as total lifetime exposure to ultraviolet radiation. (Canadian Cancer Society, Made in the Shade Sun Protection, 2006)
The risk factors associated with the development of skin cancer include:
- light coloured skin, eyes or hair
- skin that freckles easily and/or has a large number of moles
- family history of skin cancer
- several blistering sun burns as a child
- use of certain drugs or cosmetics that make you more sensitive to ultraviolet radiation
- taking medications to suppress the immune system
- recipient of an organ transplant
- participating in outdoor activities and outdoor sports
- working outdoors
- (Canadian Cancer Society Facts on Skin Cancer, 2006)
Construction workers, landscapers, lifeguards, summer camp workers and others who work outdoors and who are exposed to ultraviolet radiation from the sun are at an increased risk for skin cancer, sunburn and eye damage.
Company Benefits Associated with Skin Cancer Prevention in the Workplace
Employers can benefit by promoting skin cancer prevention and providing a sun safe environment for their employees and outdoor workers. Benefits to employers can result in:
- Improved health of their employees
- Reduced absenteeism due to skin cancer treatment
- Reduced use of health benefit claims
- Increased productivity
Building a Successful Program in Your Workplace
An effective skin cancer prevention program includes a comprehensive approach that utilizes components from four health promotion strategies to be successful in sustaining sun safe practices.
Review the skin cancer prevention examples and resources included in the description of each health promotion strategy below. Then develop an action plan incorporating the strategies that best fit the goals and objectives for your workplace.
The four health promotion strategies are:
- Awareness Building
- Education and Skill Building
- Environmental Supports
- Policy and Guideline Development
If you employ outdoor workers, complete the Sun Safety at Work Workplace Risk Assessment. It will assist you in identifying the risks for skin cancer of your employees and the organizational needs. Based on the results of the assessment, identify the goals to reduce and/or prevent these risks and develop your program that includes activities to meet the needs related to education, environmental supports and policy development within your workplace.
The following sections provide details on how to build a workplace program for each of the four health promotion strategies:
Awareness Building
Building awareness of skin cancer prevention in the workplace is important, especially if you employ outdoor workers. Health promotion messages that encourage the adoption of sun safe behaviours can be distributed through a variety of information channels such as payroll inserts or email messages. Health information to create these messages can be found on a variety of websites and utilized within your workplace. Some of these websites include:
Printed Materials
Printed resources to promote awareness of skin cancer prevention are also available from your local Canadian Cancer Society office and the Canadian Dermatology Association.
Back to top of Building a Successful Program section
Education and Skill Building
Once employees are aware of the need to protect themselves and their families from the effects of ultraviolet radiation, consider providing educational and skill building opportunities in your workplace.
Skin cancer prevention educational resources for outdoor workers including videos and a DVD can also be obtained from the Canadian Dermatology Association:
Sun Safety for Outdoor Workers: A skin cancer prevention program for outdoor workers
Promoting Sun Safety on the Golf Course: A resource for golf course owners and operators
York Region SunSense Coalition
Back to top of Building a Successful Program section
Environmental Support
Providing a work environment that supports adopting sun safe behaviours can impact the health of employees by reducing their risks for skin cancer and taking preventative measures.
Along with the provision and use of uniforms, hats, sunglasses and sunscreen for their outdoor workers, employers need to consider the addition of artificial or natural shade to the environment as an important preventative measure against exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. These additions may include providing artificial shade structures such as canopies, umbrellas, gazebos, awnings, as temporary or permanent covers to patios, entrance ways and outdoor eating areas. They may also include providing natural shade areas from planting trees and bushes. As well, workplaces can consider and ensure their employees have access to shade when planning work schedules and events that require their employees to be working outdoors.
In order to assess the environment around your workplace, you may want to conduct a shade audit. This audit will assist in identifying existing shade areas and determine where additional shade is needed. More information on shade and how to conduct a shade audit is provided in the "Plant Trees, build shade: for your health and the environment" pamphlet or at www.sunsafeyork.org.
Back to top of Building a Successful Program section
Policy and Guideline Development
A workplace policy outlines general goals, objectives and actions that a company will aim to achieve. Workplace policies that support skin cancer prevention include:
- Outdoor event policy
- Policies for outdoor workers
Developing an Outdoor Event Policy
Consider developing a policy to ensure that any outdoor events hosted by the workplace are sun safe. Sun Safety policy for planning outdoor events should include:
- Assessing the site for existing shade
- Utilizing additional portable shade structures such as umbrellas or tents
- Ensuring staff are able to rotate tasks between shaded or indoor areas and outdoor activities. Avoid having the same people exposed to the direct rays of the sun all day
- Providing sun safety information though event registration. Encourage participants to take personal sun protection measures of wearing hats, protective clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Encouraging event organizers to role model sun safe behaviours
Developing a Policy for Outdoor Workers
If you employ outdoor workers, consider developing policies to promote skin cancer prevention and the prevention of heat related illness. Resources and information to assist you with your policy development can be found at the following websites:
The Canadian Dermatology Association provides a sample policy for outdoor workers
Ontario Ministry of Labour, Ultraviolet Radiation in the Workplace Guidelines Ontario Ministry of Labour, Heat Stress Guidelines
Back to top of Building a Successful Program section
Links
Back to main Health Topics page for information on other topics
For more information, please contact
York Region Health Connection at 1 800 361-5653, TTY 1-866-252-9933 | 
Print 
