Skin cancer prevention in the house building industry

Skin cancers are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Within the construction industry, workers may be exposed to solar ultra-violet radiation. Workplace hazards such as exposure to polycyclic hydrocarbons are an additional risk factor for the development of skin cancers. Overall, these occupational hazards, associated with individual risks and behaviours, may increase construction workers risk of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The aim of the research was to investigate the extent and implementation of skin cancer prevention in the construction industry in England and Wales. The focus of the primary research was on house building companies. In order to achieve the aim a questionnaire was sent to health and safety advisors, site managers were interviewed and solar protection observations of construction workers were completed. A health promotion intervention to improve solar protection was designed, administered and evaluated. Response rates of 31% (n=94) from the questionnaire, 50% (n=5) from the interviews and 318 observations were achieved. Results revealed that within the construction industry skin cancer prevention was limited. Whilst 99% of the questionnaire respondents had completed risk assessments, less than half of companies included exposure to adverse weather conditions within the assessment. The size of company had an impact on the adoption of skin cancer prevention. Larger companies were more proactive in policy development and health education. During the observational survey, half of the construction workers had inadequate solar protection with less than 75% of the skin covered. In order to improve the level of solar protection, house building companies needed to adopt an educative approach that was underpinned by the provision of protective equipment and supported by policy development.