Construction industry at an increased risk of skin cancer: your
help needed
05 July 2012
Whilst the weather so far this year has been
anything but summery, outdoor workers are still at risk of skin
damage and potentially skin cancer from the sun's UV rays even on a
cloudy or overcast day.
Skin cancer is the commonest type of cancer in
the UK with around 100,000 new cases each year. More than 50%
of cases of occupational cancer caused by sun exposure in the UK
occur in construction, with research showing that construction
workers are up to nine times more likely to develop this type of
cancer than any other work sector.
To improve awareness of the risks of skin
cancer when working outdoors and offer guidance on protective
measures, a project is currently underway aimed specifically at the
UK construction industry. The project is led by chartered
IOSH member Paul Madgwick, assisted by a group of experts including
several members of the IOSH Construction Group and is funded
through the IOSH research and development fund.
The project consists of a 12 minute film ideal
for use as a tool box talk aid and simple questionnaires to be
completed by the workers. The questionnaires, evaluated by the
University of Nottingham, will provide research not gathered before
on how construction workers' sun safety knowledge, attitudes and
behaviour develop as a result of having viewed the film. The
research on attitudes and behaviours will also be of use for those
developing other health and safety awareness initiatives in the
future.
IOSH is currently looking for a number of
companies working in the construction industry, especially small
and medium sized companies, to take part in the project which is
free. Companies would be asked to show the film, get workers
to complete simple questionnaires and possibly take part in a focus
group.
Would you like to get involved? If
you're interested in taking part and would like to find out more,
you can contact Paul Madgwick on +44 (0) 7971 810
389 or email sun safety before 31
August 2012.