There are over 24,000 people employed in British Columbia’s agriculture industry and sun and heat exposure are workplace hazards for many of them.
Agriculture workers have a 2.5-3.5 times greater risk of developing skin cancer than indoor workers, according to a Sun Safety At Work Canada 2016 report. Employers are responsible for addressing this risk.
AgSafe, BC’s agriculture health and safety association suggests the best way to reduce the risk of sun and heat exposure in the workplace is to implement a sun and heat safety action plan for outside workers.
“There are resources available for those who employ outdoor workers to help them develop and implement a sun and heat safety plan,” says Wendy Bennett, Executive Director of AgSafe. “The key is controlling the worker’s exposure to sun and the possibility of heat stress.”
Checking Environment Canada’s UV index regularly to monitor worker risk and providing a shade structure, where practical or enabling shade breaks on the worksite will help reduce the effects of sun exposure.
Scheduling heavy work outside of the hottest times of the day, before 11 am and after 3 pm when UV levels are lower, along with regular “cool-down” rest periods will help reduce the risk of heat stress.
Knowing the signs of heat stress - decrease in alertness, extreme fatigue, nausea, dizziness, confusion, muscle cramps, and fast shallow breathing, is very important and should be acted upon immediately if they present.
Bennett adds that the risk of heat stress is higher when employees are working outdoors with equipment that gives off heat.
Tips to avoid sun exposure and heat stress:
- Wear loose-fitting tightly woven or UV-protective labelled clothing; wide brimmed hats that shade the face, ears and neck; apply sunscreen throughout the day
- Wear sunglasses to protect eyes from UV rays
- Hydrate regularly with water
- Take breaks in the shade
Additional Resources:
About AgSafe
For over twenty years AgSafe has been the expert on safety in the workplace for British Columbia’s agriculture industry and is committed to reducing the number of agriculture-related workplace deaths and injuries by offering health and safety programs, training, evaluation and consultation services.
For more information about AgSafe resources and services call 1-877-533-1789 or visit www.AgSafeBC.ca