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Posted By PJR
We have recently been advised by HSE that sunscreens should be issued to all of our outside workers.
We have concerns about this and feel that it is better to get employees to cover up and wear caps (foreign legion style) and also change working hours to avoid hottest part of day.
We also feel that the issue of sunscreens should be based upon risk assessment.
The inspectors view seems to be that we cannot be certain that they will cover up - but we cannot be certain they will wear sunscreen either!
Any views would be appreciated.
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Posted By Jack
I know from previous discussions on this topic that there are diverse views. However, I share your concerns. It even seems to cut across the fairly recently reissued advice from the HSE which says nothing about sunscreen being 'issued' but concentrates on employers 'encouraging' employees to use it.
I quote a couple of paragraphs:
Encourage workers to use sunscreen of at least SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 15 on any part of the body they can’t cover up and to apply it as directed on the product. They might prefer to use a spray or an alcohol-based (non-greasy) sunscreen
Encourage workers to keep covered up during the summer months - especially at lunch time when the sun is at its hottest. They can cover up with a long-sleeved shirt, and a hat with a brim or flap that protects the ears and neck.
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Posted By Emma Forbes
Hi, we've got a claim in against us from an employee who has contracted skin cancer. When I spoke to the insurance chap that came round and took details about what provisions we'd made, I told him that we had advised all employees to wear SPF15 +, provided long cotton jackets to wear in the summer and had toolbox talks with videos. I'd asked about whether we should have provided sunscreen and he said that very few companies etc actually do so and we had made more than enough provisions to prevent this happening.
Whether or not it is, still remains to be seen.
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Posted By Nigel Hammond
When I worked for a local authority, we had this debate every year with parks staff. Our advice was to follow the hierarchy of controls: avoid exposure to the sun where possible, failing that cover up with clothes and hats, finally as a last resort provide sun tan lotion - but only if the risk assessment justifies it. However, none of the risk assessments seem to end up justifying suntan lotion - even for lifeguards of an outdoor pool.
If you do have to issue suntan lotion. It might be worth considering 'P20' which is sold in Superdrug. I use it on my children as recommended by their school because it lasts all day and is waterproof. It is expensive but you don't have to keep re-applying it.
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Posted By John Allen
The one that annoys me is period dramas set before WW2 where the characters get on and off trains made up of ex BR Mk1 coaches (1950s) and hauled by a post war steam engine. If the producers have gone to the trouble of going to a heritage railway location they could at least have asked the operators to provide correct period stock.
Also according to films and TV every Allied tank that served in WW2 was in fact a post war Sherman.
No doubt I’ll be accused of trainspotting. It does make you think however that if they are getting the bits you know about wrong, how much are they getting wrong in the areas that you are not knowledgeable?
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Posted By John Allen
Whoops - wrong thread!
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Posted By Lesley
now the previous reply really did confuse me - lol!!
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Posted By David A Jones
If you have identified exposure to the sun as a significant risk to your employees within a risk assessment then you must take some action to minimise that risk so far as is reasonably practicable.
This may be done by the issue of suitable PPE such as sun hats an the insistence that they cover up e.g. long sleeve shirts that are SPF rated etc. You may consider that toatl cover up is impracticable and therefore propose the use of a sun creams etc. If the use of sun creams is your control measure then the employer is duty bound to provide it as it constitutes PPE - note this does not mean you have to buy the most expensive designer creams that some may want - bulk supplies can be sourced and distributed as appropriate.
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Posted By David Brede
I recommend to our workers to use Ultrasun Factor 15 or above which apparently was formulated for skiers so has to last all day without re application.
Having said that as 'PPE' of a sort it is the last resort if working in the sun cannot be avoided or use of full cover clothing cannot be enforced.
Perhaps in addition to the worksite signage of No Boots, No Hat, No Hi Vi, No job should be No shorts!
I have seen that a Norwich firm imports American style wide brimmed hard hats that meet UK standards.
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Posted By Ian Forster
To supply Sunscreen would be a nightmare, as it would be a supply on demand item, every employee would be getting it for his wife, kids, family and friends.
As soon as an employee was told no, the implications would be un thinkable.
I worked for a Local Authority and to be honest I can just see it now, it would be a bottle aday, I still have PPE which i've never used and thats going back 5 years, Dc Matrins and alike. the best and most cost effective would be to provide suitable clothing, Base ball caps with flaps, long sleeve cotton tops, etc. and remember to put company logo on so employees can claim there washing allowance from the tax man
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