A recent survey by Jewson has revealed that almost 60% of construction workers would be happy to slap sun cream on a building site buddy.
When asked about attitudes to sun protection, 357 out of 625 Jewson customers said they would help their workmate apply sun cream.
The important of sun protection is being emphaised this week when local specialist skin nurses take up position at Boots in Newport. From 13:30-15:30 on Thursday afternoon (17th August) the nurses will be offering advice on sun protection and information on how to spot the early signs of skin cancer, as well as carrying out free mole checks.
Although 60% of people surveyed would be happy to help a mate, just over a third said they never apply their own sun cream when working outdoors on a sunny day. This compares to only 7% who never apply sun cream when on holiday abroad.
Worryingly, more than half of respondents said they had been sun burnt in the past 2 years. Being sunburnt just once every 2 years triples the risk of skin cancer.
James Buckle, South East Area Director at Jewson, said:
“It’s great to see that so many tradespeople are up for helping out their mates on site – within reason! However, there’s a lot of work still to do to keep builders safe in the sun.
“We know builders don’t have much time on their hands, so prioritising something like sun care isn’t always easy – especially given Britain’s unpredictable weather. But with construction workers often outside for long periods of time, they can be at a much higher risk of exposure to UV rays than most.
Article continues below this advertisement “We’re showing our support to the NHS England South Cover Up Mate campaign to help raise awareness of the dangers of being in the sun without protection.”
NHS England Wessex Medical Director, Dr Elizabeth Mearns, said:
“It’s very encouraging that even in the rough tough world of construction many builders are willing to support colleagues in avoiding harmful sun exposure.
“But skin cancer deaths are still rising in the Isle of Wight. In 2005, 10 people died from the most serious form of skin cancer. Unfortunately, by 2014 this rose to 15 deaths in a year. It’s crucial to cover up from the sun – not just for yourself but also your family.”
Jewson is supporting the NHS England South Cover Up, Mate campaign, which is targeting male agricultural and construction workers, gardeners and sports-players because of their prolonged exposure to the sun.
Official NHS advice on staying safe in the sun is:
• spend time in the shade if you can
• make sure you never burn
• cover up with suitable clothing and sunglasses
• use at least factor 15 sunscreen
