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THE PRACTICE
SUN EXPOSURE RISKS

Skin cancer

CLIMATE CRISIS
THE PRACTICE CLIMATE CRISIS
Exposure to UV radiation is
1
the most important risk factor
for melanoma and nonmelanoma
skin cancers. (Arnold et al, 2022)
2 The global incidence of
melanoma is predicted to
increase to 510,000 new cases (a
50% rise from 2020) and 96,000
deaths (a 68% increase from 2020)
by 2040. (Arnold et al, 2022)

‘Such research is vital to identify them to identify and act on issues far 3 Areas with the highest
country-specific links between heat and more quickly. incidence rates include:

● Australia/New Zealand
labour, to assess the impact of existing
● Western Europe
heat regulations and to highlight those How can OSH professionals
● North America
occupational settings and worker groups drive the debate?
● Northern Europe.
at most risk.’ It’s vital that OSH professionals
(Arnold et al, 2022)
ensure that addressing the impact of
Beyond the body climate change on workers is on their Climate change is recognised

Heat doesn’t just affect workers physically organisation’s agenda by presenting 4 as a key contributing

– it affects cognitive ability too. Research facts, figures and employee testimony. factor due to rising temperatures,

shows that the risk of workplace accidents For the issue to be taken seriously, depletion of the ozone layer and
increases by 5% to 7% when temperatures you might need to link these impacts to increased sun exposure.
rise above 30°C and by 10% to 15% when company output or the bottom line in (The Lancet Oncology, 2023)
temperatures exceed 38°C (Narocki, 2021). order for management to understand
While those with fair skin are
‘Many employers have very little the business as well as human cost. 5
understanding of this particular issue,’ says Industry research is also critical. most at risk, all groups need
to acknowledge the danger and
Rob. ‘Excess heat has a huge impact on your Shouro says: ‘Crucially, early warning
take action to protect themselves,
ability to concentrate, plan and problem- systems combining sector-specifi c
regardless of skin colour. Those
solve as well as on your reaction times temperature thresholds with viewed as lower risk are often only
and overall alertness, leading to mistakes, meteorological forecasts enable heat diagnosed at a later stage, resulting
falls and accidents, risking harm to both health action plans to be deployed in a worse prognosis.
individual workers and their colleagues as at the right time to protect the most (The Lancet Oncology, 2023)
well as an organisation’s performance.’ vulnerable worker groups.’
Neelesh adds: ‘It’s absolutely critical Action plans and control measures 6 Due to the amount of time
for OSH professionals to take this into only work, though, if they’re adhered exposed to UV radiation,
outdoor workers are, on average,
consideration when assessing the risks to, and OSH professionals need to
at 60% greater risk of developing

associated with specific tasks, especially in vocalise their concerns to senior
skin cancer.
high-risk environments, for example where management if this isn’t the case.
(Humber and North Yorkshire
workers are operating heavy machinery or OSH professionals therefore play
Cancer Alliance, 2023)
working at height.’ a pivotal role in moving the debate
Addressing the issue might include forward and tackling the challenges Melanoma skin cancer risk
agreeing as an organisation at what presented by climate change. 7 has been found to be 2.2
temperature work should stop to ensure times higher among airline pilots
worker safety; redesigning tasks and and cabin crew compared with the
To view references, visit PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY
amending schedules; and supervisors ioshmagazine.com/ general population.
(Cancer Research, 2023)
monitoring work more closely, enabling climate-crisis-workers
50 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | IOSHMAGAZINE.COM

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