SS57-04 PREVENTION OF SOLAR UVR RISK AT THE WORKPLACE AND HEALTH SURVEILLANCE

Abstract

Hundreds of millions of outdoor workers worldwide are exposed to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR), determining several adverse effects to their eyes and skin. The presentation is a call to action for the prevention of solar UVR-induced adverse effects in outdoor workers, and in particular of skin cancers. An adequate recognition of the occupational risk related to solar UVR exposure and a specific risk evaluation are needed to improve prevention. Risk assessment is fundamental for the identification of the best interventions available to reduce the risk: the main preventive measures are collective and individual ones. Collective measures include technical interventions, such as shading of the UV-irradiated surfaces at the workplace, and organizational measures, as avoiding to work during the central hours of the days. Individual measures are the personal protective equipment (i.e. specific UV-filtering hats, clothes and sunglasses) to be compulsorily provided to the workers, and also sunscreens, when recommended. Other fundamental interventions for a proper prevention are workers' training and occupational health surveillance. In order to raise the awareness on this important, even if under-recognized, occupational risk and to stimulate more adequate prevention policies, an increase of the number of skin cancers reported to workers' compensation authorities would be extremely important. To prevent the burden of solar UVR-related occupational skin cancers, an adequate risk evaluation with identification of appropriate preventive and protective measures, specific workers' training initiatives and ad-hoc health surveillance programs must be urgently implemented.