Construction workers could be as many as nine times more likely to get skin cancer as workers in other sectors that come from a similar social group and background.
According to new research from the University of Manchester, construction workers have a higher risk of contracting skin cancer on account of the long periods they spend working outside in direct sunlight and ultraviolet rays reflected from nearby surfaces, such as concrete.
The study also reveals that building and construction workers have significantly increased incidence of other health conditions attributable to their job compared with other workers.
Dr Raymond Agius, who led the research team, said: “Construction workers are an important focus of our research. Many are unaware that their work can put their health at risk of a whole range of conditions, including asbestos-induced tumours, serious skin conditions and skin cancer. More work is needed to support and inform them.”
The Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM), whose journal published the study, claimed that employees who work in the construction sector must be prioritised and targeted with advice on preventive measures.
The organisation’s president, Dr Henry Goodall, said: “Workers in the construction industry suffer from a lack of occupational-health provision and this also needs to be addressed and improved.”
He added: “Neglecting to cover up under the hot sun can be just as dangerous as forgetting to wear a hard hat. We need to send a clear message that the days of the topless builder are over. Skin cancer may take several years to develop and it is often a young person’s disease, which can devastate a young family.”
George Guy, acting general secretary of construction union UCATT, said: “This study demonstrates the risks that construction workers face of developing skin cancer. It is essential that everyone involved in the industry ensures that construction workers are given the full information about the risks they face and the preventative measures they need to take in order to reduce those dangers.”
A separate study, also published in the SOM’s journal, highlights the importance of employer-led sun safety interventions in the construction industry. The team found that younger men were particularly likely to avoid wearing shirts. However, the researchers also found that appropriate training encouraged workers to adopt protective measures, such as applying sun screen, drinking plenty of water, wearing long-sleeved loose-fitting tops, and regularly checking their skin for changes.
NHS statistics show that the number of people suffering from skin cancer has risen dramatically over the past 30 years.
