Jane White from IOSH talks skin cancer and construction sites

We've been talking recently about working outdoors and the importance of protecting yourself against the sun. There's over 240 cases of melanoma cases as a result of sun exposure while working every year.

Demo Talk Radio focused on these dangers for Episode 3 of their podcast, and they had an interesting and eye-opening discussion with Jane White, Head of Research and Information Services at IOSH. The pdocast is well worth your time to listen to.

Get yourself covered!

Very recently we featured a handy UV Index chart, which we said would be a good addition to any site office or canteen.

Following on from that, and almost certainly prompted by the sunshine we have been experiencing recently, there has been a large number of articles in both national and trade press about the risks of melanoma as a result of exposure to the sun. Having read most of the articles, two statistics stand out. Firstly, at present 50 people per year are dying as a result of malignant melanomas attributable to exposure to solar radiation while at work. That is almost 1 person per week and if that was not bad enough 5 people per day, on average, are being diagnosed with a form of skin cancer contracted at work.

We make no apologies for repeating this subject as, while in numerical terms it is not comparable with asbestos related diseases, this is something we can do something about very easily. Simply covering up and using high factor sun cream is usually all it takes, although you will find more comprehensive advice here:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pUbns/indg147.pdf

To finish on a personal note, those of you who know John Woodward well, will know that his father died from skin cancer, almost certainly from service in the far east during World War 2 and long hours in his garden at home. So it is something we believe needs addressing and we will continue to get the message out there.

Be Aware! Summer is on its way

Two “non-election” headlines caught the eye this week, with summer rapidly approaching. First off there was the annual promise of a “barbecue” summer, where have we heard that before? This was closely followed by the story that the rise in Melanoma skin cancers now, can be directly attributed to the growth of the cheap package holiday from the 1960s onwards.

Clearly our understanding of Melanoma has increased, to the extent that, with guidance, we can recognise them ourselves and also that we can act to stop them developing. Given that prevention is better than a cure and that a very large proportion of construction and demolition staff will be working outside this summer, this UV Index guide issued by the World Health Organisation is a useful tool to keep around the office.

Remember using sun cream is a simple solution and may turn out to save your life in the future. Also, like Asbestos, the exposure levels are important too, so even if the Sun does not seem to be strong bear in mind the amount of time you will be out in it, and act accordingly.

Skin Cancer – Sun Safety in Construction presentation on April 3rd

On Thursday, 3rd April the IOSH has funded a Skin Cancer - Sun Safety in Construction presentation.

It is being held at 2pm following a buffet lunch at 1:30pm at the following location:

Hollyfields Centre Club Ltd,
Woodacre Road,
Erdington,
Birmingham B4 0JT

Paul Madgwick, a PhD student in Applied Psychology at the University of Nottingham, and Jonathan Houdmont, a Lecturer in Occupational Health Psychology at the University of Nottingham, will both be speaking. Here's an overview of what is being covered:

"At Aprils meeting we will welcome Paul Madgwick Construction Health and Safety Manager and CDM Coordinator at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust along with Jonathan Houdmont Lecturer in Occupational Health Psychology at the University of Nottingham.

The presentation will give an overview of skin cancer, explaining the types of cancer and their UK prevalence as well as the level of under reporting and cost to the NHS. The occupational levels of skin cancer will be explained, as will the level of risk for different occupational sectors. A brief introduction to the aims and objectives of the Sun Safety in Construction project will follow.

The findings of the nationwide survey of construction workers on sun safety knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours will then be presented followed by the DVD based intervention and the findings of the intervention."

Both members and non-members can attend this presentation free of charge.

Source: iosh