HSE Urges Outdoor Workers to Take Sun Safety Seriously This Summer

The HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) is calling on employers across Cork and Ireland to prioritise UV protection for outdoor staff this summer, as UV radiation levels begin to rise for the April to September period.

With over 11,000 cases of skin cancer diagnosed in Ireland each year and numbers continuing to increase, the NCCP is urging organisations in construction, agriculture, transport, fisheries, maintenance, local authorities, and water safety to embed sun safety into their workplace health and safety policies.

To support this, the NCCP is hosting a free public webinar, SunSmart for Outdoor Workers, on Tuesday, 28 April 2026 at 12pm. The event will offer practical guidance on reducing skin cancer risk and will include the launch of a new resource, Driving for Work: Sun Safety Guidance, developed by the NCCP alongside the Road Safety Authority and the Health and Safety Authority.

Dr Breeda Neville, Consultant in Public Health, HSE's NCCP, said:

"Outdoor workers receive two to three times more UV exposure than indoor workers. This cumulative exposure significantly increases their risk of developing skin cancer over time. UV protection must be treated with the same seriousness as any other workplace hazard. Simple measures—protective clothing, sunscreen, shade and training—can dramatically reduce risk. We urge all outdoor worker organisations to embed SunSmart practices into their safety culture this summer."

Dr Roisin Rynne, Dermatology Registrar, Tallaght University Hospital, said:

"Occupational drivers face a higher risk of skin cancer due to repeated exposure to UV radiation, often without realising it. By ensuring staff are aware of this risk, providing clear education on protective behaviours, and embedding UV safety into everyday work practices, employers can make a significant difference. Everyone who manages or supports employees with driving duties has an important role to play in reducing skin cancer risk and meeting their health and safety responsibilities."

Workers and employers are encouraged to follow the Healthy Ireland SunSmart 5 S's:

Slip on clothing that covers your skin, such as long sleeves and collared T-shirts. Slop on sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, applied 20 minutes before going outside and reapplied every two hours, or more often if sweating. Slap on a wide-brimmed hat or a hard hat with a brim or neck flap. Seek shade, particularly between 11am and 3pm when UV rays are strongest, and schedule outdoor work outside these hours where possible. Slide on wraparound sunglasses.

Further information and workplace SunSmart materials are available at hse.ie or by emailing prevention@cancercontrol.ie. Registration details for the 28 April webinar are available through the HSE SunSmart hub.