Employers' legal duty to mitigate the risks against sun exposure at work
Employers have a duty of care to provide a safe working environment for their employees. This includes taking steps to prevent risks associated with sun exposure.
To ensure you are fulfilling your responsibilities as an employer, find out about the legislation and standards regarding sun safety in the workplace.
Part 2, Section 8 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 20053 states that it is the duty of every employer "to ensure the safety, health and welfare at work of all employees". This means that employers must ensure their employees can work safely, and without risk to their health, and includes unprotected exposure to UV radiation.
Section 8 also makes clear that employers should provide "information, instruction, training and supervision, where necessary" and "to ensure safety and the prevention of risk arising from the use of articles or substances or the exposure to noise, vibration, radiation, or any other ionizing agent". This means that employers are legally bound to inform their employees of the dangers that spending time in the sun can bring.
Part 2, Section 13 of the Act, an employee, while at work must "make correct use of any article or substance provided for use or for the protection of employee, including protective clothing and equipment". This means that if an employer implements UV-protection policies and provides sun-protective measures for their employees, staff must conform.
UV radiation should be considered an occupational hazard for people who work outdoors.
Employers have a duty of care to assess the risks and take the necessary steps to identify workers who have a higher risk of exposure to the sun's UV radiation.
A health and safety manager, or a responsible person, should be appointed to make sure that health and safety measures are always being adhered to.
Employees need to be made aware of the possible dangers of sun exposure. To assure this, employers should provide thorough training and an ongoing programme of education.
It's clear that cooperation between employers and employees are required to implement any effective measures to help minimise the risk of UV sun exposure at work.
Access a package of downloadable materials to promote sun protection in your business including a toolbox talk video and presentation to help with your training programme plus awareness posters.
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Our range of sun protection lotions and dispensers are ideal for outdoor workers who need to protect themselves against damaging ultraviolet rays.
