South Africa's UV index regularly reaches 8 to 11 or higher in summer, which is extreme exposure, and unlike Europe the sun is a year-round risk here, not a seasonal one. Outdoor workers get roughly 2 to 3 times more UV radiation than indoor workers, and cumulative exposure over a career raises the risk of skin cancers including melanoma. Heat illness is the other danger, running from heat cramps to heat stroke, which is a medical emergency. The protections are simple and they work: cover up, use sunscreen, seek shade and keep your fluids up.
The risk in SA
CANSA, the Cancer Association of South Africa, recognises UV radiation from sunlight as an occupational carcinogen for SA workers. The key facts:
- Outdoor workers are exposed to about 2 to 3 times more UV radiation than indoor workers.
- Working in UV raises the risk of non-melanoma skin cancers by approximately 60 percent compared with workers who spend most of their time indoors. This figure comes from international occupational health research.
Heat stress
SA's climate creates genuine heat illness risk, and construction workers are especially vulnerable because of heavy PPE, hard physical work and limited shade on many sites. The risk runs from heat cramps to heat exhaustion to heat stroke:
- Signs of heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, pale, cool and clammy skin, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea.
- Signs of heat stroke, a medical emergency: confusion, hot, red and dry skin, no sweating, very high body temperature. Call 10177 immediately.
The "5S" protection framework
Adapted from the international SunSmart approach:
- Slip on long-sleeved, collared shirts and long trousers. Choose lightweight, breathable fabric with a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating of 50 or higher where you can.
- Slop on SPF 30 or higher broad-spectrum sunscreen on all exposed skin. Apply 20 minutes before going out and reapply every 2 hours, more often if you are sweating heavily.
- Slap on a wide-brimmed hat that covers your ears, neck and face. Hard hats can take brim attachments, so use them.
- Slide on wraparound sunglasses with 100 percent UVA and UVB protection.
- Seek shade whenever you can, especially during the peak UV hours of 11am to 3pm. Plan demanding outdoor tasks for early morning or late afternoon.
Hydration
- Drink water regularly through the day, and do not wait until you feel thirsty.
- In hot conditions, aim for at least 500ml an hour during active outdoor work. This figure is from international occupational health guidance; a specific SA Department of Health figure for outdoor workers could not be located, so verify with the NIOH or the Department of Health.
- Go easy on caffeine and alcohol, as both dehydrate you.
Your employer's legal duty
Under OHSA Section 8, employers must provide a working environment that is safe and without risks to health. UV and heat are health risks, so they must be in the site OHS risk assessment and addressed through PPE, scheduling controls (avoiding peak UV hours where practicable) and adequate drinking water.
Know your skin
Check your skin once a month for:
- New spots or moles that are asymmetrical, have irregular borders, uneven colour, or are larger than 6mm.
- Spots that itch, bleed, crust, or fail to heal over 4 weeks.
See a doctor promptly for any suspicious change. Early-detected skin cancer is highly treatable; late-detected cancer often is not. CANSA can be reached at cansa.org.za or 0800 226 622.
Common mistakes
- Treating sunburn as just part of the job. Each burn adds to a lifetime cancer risk that shows up decades later.
- No sunscreen on the neck and ears. These are classic skin-cancer sites and the easiest to forget.
- Working through the midday peak. Where you can, shift demanding tasks to early morning or late afternoon.
- Waiting to feel thirsty. By then you are already dehydrated. Drink steadily through the day.
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