In Ireland, we often underestimate the risk that comes with exposure to the sun. 

But for many of the teams we work with across construction, infrastructure, utilities and field operations, UV exposure is not occasional. It is part of the job. 

Skin cancer remains the most common cancer in Ireland, and the risk is significantly higher for those working outdoors over long periods. 

What is often overlooked is that this is a workplace risk, not just a personal one. 

It sits alongside every other hazard that organisations are responsible for identifying, assessing and controlling. 

 

The basics are well understood: 

Providing suitable PPE such as UV protective clothing and sunglasses 

This goes beyond simply advising teams to “wear sunscreen”. It means putting structured, practical controls in place that are easy to follow and consistently applied across sites. 

In practice, this can include: 

  • UV-rated long sleeve workwear (UPF 30–50+) that is lightweight and breathable  
  • Neck protection such as hard hat attachments to protect ears and the back of the neck  
  • Wide-brim or extended peak hard hats to reduce direct facial exposure  
  • UV-protective safety sunglasses (UV400, safety-rated) to reduce glare and long-term eye damage  
  • Task-appropriate clothing policies, moving away from short sleeves where exposure risk is high  
  • Hydration and cooling supports such as water stations and shaded areas  

What differentiates organisations doing this well is not just the equipment itself, but how it is embedded into inductions, supervision and procurement. It becomes standard PPE, not optional. 

 

Making sunscreen readily available on site 

Providing sunscreen is one thing. Making it usable is another. 

We see strong organisations taking simple but effective steps such as: 

  • Installing fixed sunscreen stations at site entrances and welfare units  
  • Issuing personal sunscreen as part of PPE packs  
  • Stocking sunscreen in vehicles for mobile teams  
  • Placing it visibly alongside water and first aid, not stored away  
  • Supervisor-led reminders and distribution during high UV days  
  • Including sunscreen locations in site inductions  
  • Adding it to high-exposure task kits  
  • Using visual prompts to encourage reapplication  

The difference is visibility, accessibility and normalisation. If it is easy to use, it gets used. 

 

Planning work to reduce exposure during peak UV hours 

In Ireland, UV exposure typically peaks between 11am and 3pm, even on cloudy days. 

Reducing exposure is not always about stopping work. It is about planning how and when work is carried out. 

In practice, this can include: 

  • Rescheduling high-exposure tasks such as roofing, steel fixing or surveying to earlier or later in the day  
  • Rotating teams to limit prolonged exposure  
  • Using shaded or sheltered work areas for static tasks  
  • Aligning breaks with peak UV periods  
  • Sequencing indoor or lower-exposure work during high-risk hours  
  • Using forecasts from Met Éireann and guidance from the Health Service Executive  
  • Adjusting start times during summer months where feasible  
  • Reinforcing awareness through supervisor briefings  

Strong organisations treat this the same way they would plan around wind, rain or other environmental risks. It becomes part of normal operational thinking. 

 

Building awareness so teams understand the risk and recognise early signs 

Providing controls is only part of the solution. 

If teams do not understand the risk, those controls are far less likely to be used consistently. 

In practice, this looks like: 

  • Clear, practical toolbox talks explaining UV risk in simple terms  
  • Using real-world examples that make the risk relatable to daily work  
  • Ensuring teams recognise early warning signs, including:  
  • New or changing moles  
  • Irregular edges or uneven colouring  
  • Sores that do not heal  
  • Persistent redness or scaly patches  
  • Visual reminders across welfare areas and high-traffic points  
  • Embedding sun safety into daily routines such as applying sunscreen before shifts and reapplying during breaks  
  • Strong supervisor engagement and visible role modelling  
  • Inclusion in inductions and refresher training  
  • Encouraging a speak-up culture where concerns can be raised early  
  • Seasonal reinforcement aligned with organisations such as the Irish Cancer Society  

When teams understand the risk for themselves, behaviour changes. And that is where long-term protection starts. 

 

But like most areas of safety, the difference is in how consistently these measures are applied in practice. 

We are seeing more organisations take a structured approach, integrating sun exposure into their risk assessments, site inductions and daily briefings. 

Not because they have to. 

But because they recognise the broader impact. 

 

When sun safety is taken seriously, the benefits go well beyond compliance: 

  • Fewer heat-related incidents and fatigue on site  
  • Improved concentration and decision-making in outdoor roles  
  • Reduced long-term health risks and associated absence  
  • Stronger engagement from teams who can see that their wellbeing is genuinely considered  
  • A more mature safety culture, where less visible risks are treated with the same importance as immediate hazards  

 

This is where safety performance starts to shift. 

Because it reflects an organisation that is not just reacting to risk, but thinking ahead. 

If this is not something that has been fully considered across your sites, it is worth taking a closer look. 

Because protecting your team is not just about the risks you can see. 

 +353 (0)21 206 6006 |  [email protected] |   ehsinternational.com