Outdoor workers are 3.5 times more likely to develop skin cancer than those who work indoors according to WorkSafe BC.
Between 2011 and 2015 WorkSafe BC accepted six claims for malignant skin cancer caused by work-related sun exposure.
Vice-President of Prevention Services, Al Johnson says while the number might not seem that high, it doesn’t make it any more acceptable.
“Six might not seem like a significant amount but those six workers who have received an injury we consider very serious.”
Johnson adds there are several occupations that are most at risk in BC. “Construction, Agriculture, and then specific people like letter carriers, electricians, delivery and courier type persons, basically all those employees who are out there in the sun.”
Employers are encouraged to provide shade structures while working outdoors in the summer.
Other tips include booking the most demanding work outside the hours of 11AM to 3PM.
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