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. 2023 Jul;66(7):601-609.
doi: 10.1002/ajim.23480. Epub 2023 Apr 4.

Setting-based skin cancer prevention at the workplace: A survey among German outdoor workers

Tatiana Görig  1 , Eckhard W Breitbart  2 , Hans Drexler  3 , Katharina Diehl  1
Affiliations

Setting-based skin cancer prevention at the workplace: A survey among German outdoor workers

Tatiana Görig et al. Am J Ind Med. 2023 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Outdoor workers are at increased risk of developing skin cancer. Setting-based prevention at the workplace can reduce the UV exposure of outdoor workers through appropriate technical or organizational measures. We explored the implementation of setting-based UV protection at the workplace in Germany from the perspective of outdoor workers.

Methods: A Germany-wide sample of 319 outdoor workers from different employment sectors (64.3% male) was surveyed via telephone on different technical and organizational measures for UV protection at the workplace. Bivariate analyses were performed to explore associations with job-related characteristics.

Results: In general, 28.0% were rarely or never provided with a place in the shade during working hours, and 27.4% rarely or never provided with a shaded place during breaks. One-third had rarely or never the opportunity to work in the shade on hot summer days. Overall, 51.9% reported receiving protective clothing from their employer, 45.5% were provided with headgear, and 25.1% with sunscreen. About one-third had often or always the option of starting work earlier in the morning on hot summer days to work less in the sun, while 18.6% had to work overtime on such days. One-third (35.4%) had been educated at work about risks of solar radiation and sun protection measures.

Conclusions: Our study is among the first to present findings on the implementation of different setting-based UV protection measures at the workplace and provides starting points for employers and policy makers to improve UV protection at the workplace.

Keywords: Germany; occupational exposure; outdoor workers; skin cancer prevention; sun-safety.

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References

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