The danger above: why sun safety matters for every scaffolder this summer
We all know the dangers inherent in scaffolding. Falls from height, dropped tools and manual handling risks are well understood and heavily regulated. Yet one significant hazard often goes unrecognised: prolonged exposure to the sun. With temperatures set to rise significantly from today, there has never been a better time to make sure your workforce is protected.
Why scaffolders are at particular risk
Unlike many construction trades, scaffolders frequently work:
- At height, with no natural shade
- On steel structures that reflect and intensify UV radiation
- For extended periods in fixed positions
- During peak daylight hours
Regulators, medical authorities and industry bodies including NASC, IOSH, the HSE and the WHO all highlight solar UV radiation as a serious workplace hazard. Solar ultraviolet radiation is officially classified as a Group 1 human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer; placing it in the same risk category as asbestos and diesel fumes. Even in the UK, up to 80% of UV rays can penetrate cloud cover, and UV intensity rises with altitude.
The numbers
- Sun exposure causes 99% of non-melanoma skin cancers and up to 65% of malignant melanoma cases worldwide
- Between 2000 and 2019, deaths from occupational sun exposure increased by 88%
- IOSH states that up to 90% of skin cancer deaths could be prevented by controlling UV exposure at work
Short-term risks
- Sunburn, blistering and heat exhaustion
- Dehydration and fatigue
- Reduced alertness and increased accident risk at height
Long-term risks
- Premature skin ageing
- Cataracts and eye damage
- Non-melanoma skin cancer
- Malignant melanoma — the deadliest form of skin cancer
The WHO notes that skin cancer often develops after decades of repeated exposure, meaning today's scaffolders may not see the consequences until much later in life if protection is ignored.
What good protection looks like:
Effective sun protection does not require complex systems or expensive equipment:
- Clothing: long-sleeved breathable tops, UV-rated safety helmets with neck flaps, trousers where practicable
- Sunscreen: broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher, applied to the face, neck, ears and hands, and reapplied regularly throughout the day
- Breaks: scheduled breaks away from direct sunlight, access to shaded welfare areas
- Hydration: easy access to drinking water, encourage workers to drink little and often
NASC guidance: signs of heat-related illness to watch for:
NASC's own guidance document SG46 Adverse and Inclement Weather Conditions advises employers and workers to monitor for the following symptoms:
- Headache and dizziness
- Nausea and muscle cramps
- Clammy or hot skin
- Fast or weak pulse
- High body temperature
- Passing out
Should any worker experience these symptoms, stop work immediately and find a cool place to rest. Heat stroke should be treated as a medical emergency requiring urgent medical assistance.
Now is the time to make sure toolbox talks, site inductions and welfare arrangements are in place. Protecting scaffolders from the sun is not just about comfort. It is about safety and about preventing serious, life-changing disease.
For full guidance refer to NASC SG46 Adverse and Inclement Weather Conditions, available on the NASC website.
