Prioritizing sun protection in your outdoor business: Key essentials employees need

Sunscreen

When it comes to sun protection essentials, sunscreen is often the first thing that comes to mind. After all, most people are familiar with the fact that UV overexposure causes sunburn, which inflames the skin and makes it hot to the touch. This temporary condition can make it more than just painful for your employees to keep working, it heightens their risk of developing skin cancer down the line. If you’re set on starting an outdoor business, you’ll definitely want to give your employees some sunscreen. 

Some key features to look for: an SPF of at least 30 to block UVB rays and a minimum PA++ rating for shielding against UVA. These are often found in sunscreens labeled as providing “broad-spectrum” protection. Avoid aerosol or spray-on sunscreens, as they usually go into the wind instead of onto the skin. 

If you want something more effective, you can get a sunscreen that complies with Australian standards, which are particularly strict since skin cancer rates down under are among the highest in the world. SunButter sunscreens, certified as the world’s first to be palm oil-free, all offer SPF 50 and PA++ for broad-spectrum protection. Crucially, they work for all skin types, making them great to use in the workplace. 

The only issue left? Actually getting your employees to use them. This 2022 Frontiers in Public Health shows that even construction workers don’t use sunscreen often, even if employers provide it, or as recommended by health experts, so make sure to educate your employees about best sunscreen practices. That includes putting sunscreen on all exposed skin at least 20 minutes before sun exposure and reapplying it every two hours. Employees should also reapply sunscreen more often if they get sweaty or are wearing insect repellent.

Sunglasses

Given all the emphasis placed on skin sunburns, it’s easy to (literally) overlook the risks of UV overexposure for the eyes. Long-term impacts include a heightened risk of blindness through conditions like cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (which causes central vision loss), and even eye cancer. 

However, you’ll want to be more immediately worried about eye sunburn in the short term. In bouncing off reflective surfaces, the sun’s glare can overwhelm the eyes with UV rays and cause photokeratitis. It’s often a concern in snowy environments, which is why it’s also called “snow blindness.” However, it can be equally hazardous throughout the year if your outdoor employees work in environments near water or shiny cars and buildings. Photokeratitis can cause redness, gritty sensations, pain, and even temporary vision loss. 

To keep your employees’ eyes safe as they work, you’ll thus want to ensure they wear protective sunglasses. Rather than simply having dark lenses, these should come with a “UV400” label that guarantees they can actually block 100% of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Ideally, they should also use wraparound frames that protect more of the eye area from both the sun and debris that can scratch and infect the eyes on windy days. 

To check all those boxes, it’s best to get this eyewear from reputable brands. In particular, the popular Ray-Ban sunglasses meet all the above criteria. Ray-Ban sunglasses provides 100% UV protection as standard. However, you’ll want to look at models like the RB033 and RB4335. These use wraparound lenses and polarized lenses specifically designed to block glare and prevent photokeratitis.

Sun-protective clothing

For full-body sun protection, you’ll want to go beyond simply providing employees with sunglasses and sunscreen. It’s still possible to get sunburned under clothes, and sunglasses can’t protect the eyes when the sun’s shining directly overhead. Even if your outdoor business doesn’t fall under construction work, then, it’s still crucial to provide “personal protective equipment” in the form of UPF garments. UPF is basically the clothing equivalent of the SPF in sunscreen. This Cureus review notes that though all clothes can block UV rays to some degree, UPF-rated clothes are generally considered more effective.

You’ll thus want to give employees long-sleeved shirts, pants, and hats with a minimum UPF of 30. In particular, look for hats with brims at least four inches wide to protect more of the eyes and face, as well as the neck and the nape. To prevent heat stress, make sure the UPF clothes you provide are also made of breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics like polyester. Wool can be beneficial in colder weather. Brands like Solbari have significantly extensive collections of head-to-toe garments you can refer to, as they all come with a UPF 50 rating.

Conclusion

Of course, you also want to outfit your outdoor business with a few first aid essentials for treating sunburn should it occur. Make sure your employees have water on hand to replenish fluids, small towels they can wet and apply to the burned area, and cooling moisturizers like aloe vera gel and 1% hydrocortisone cream to speed the healing process. It’ll also help to provide bandages they can apply to any blistered skin to prevent infections. 

Damp towels or cold compresses can similarly help relieve the early symptoms of eye sunburns caused by photokeratitis. You can also provide moisturizing eye drops to help ease any discomfort or pain. If any of your employees wear contacts, have them remove their lenses as soon as they suspect they have eye sunburn. 

Get your employees the medical attention they need if they’re dehydrated, are feverish, or have more severe skin sunburns. If photokeratitis causes vision distortions that last for more than two days, it’s best to get employees an appointment with an optometrist.