The harmful effects of UV radiation are now undisputed. Since 2015, non-melanoma skin cancer (white skin cancer) has been recognized as an occupational disease (BK No. 5103); immediately after its recognition, it became one of the most frequently reported occupational diseases. This has contributed to a shift in how sunlight is regarded as a risk factor. Awareness of the importance of occupational UV protection is now significantly higher among employers and employees than it was just a few years ago. Employers are legally obliged to take all appropriate measures to protect their employees from occupational diseases. It is considered proven that certain forms of light-induced non-melanoma skin cancer and its precursors are directly and exclusively the result of occupational exposure.

Occupational sun protection is not a private matter for employees. On the contrary: even before so-called non-melanoma skin cancer (“white skin cancer”) was recognized as an occupational disease, adequate protection against UV radiation for occupationally exposed individuals has been part of personal protective equipment (PPE). Employers are therefore legally obliged to provide appropriate protection to every employee at risk.

Sun position and altitude

The time of year and day play a key role in UV exposure. The intensity of solar radiation depends on the angle at which it strikes the Earth: the higher the sun and the steeper the angle of incidence, the stronger the radiation. This means that UV exposure is far higher in summer than in winter and reaches its daily peak around midday. Roughly half of the total daily UV dose reaches the Earth between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Altitude above sea level also has a significant impact, as radiation intensity increases by about ten percent for every 1,000 meters of elevation.

Risk factor: reflection

Diffuse light reflected from the surroundings also contributes significantly to the intensity of UV radiation. Reflective environments such as snow, water, and bright sand can greatly increase UV exposure—for example, bright sand reflects up to 80% of radiation and snow up to 100%. Even clouds, while reducing direct UV radiation, can temporarily increase actual UV exposure through reflection beyond the level present under a clear sky.

Not everyone is equally sensitive to UV-B radiation. Depending on skin type, the skin’s natural protection time—the maximum duration during which unprotected, untanned skin can be exposed to the sun in a single day without reddening—ranges from five to forty minutes. Outdoor workers, who spend all or part of their working time under the open sky, must therefore always protect themselves against UV radiation. The skin’s natural protection time is always too short to withstand the increased UV exposure caused by working outdoors. Moreover, invisible damage that can lead to skin aging and skin cancer occurs even earlier. For more information on skin types, please refer to our brochure.

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Sunscreens are essential for effective UV protection in the workplace. As an integral part of a comprehensive UV protection strategy, they protect areas of skin that cannot be adequately covered by clothing—most commonly the face, neck, nape, and hands. By reducing the penetration of UV radiation into the skin, sunscreens can lower the risk of skin cancer by up to 40%. Effective protection, however, requires the use of suitable products specifically designed for professional application, as well as consistent and correct use.

PGP provides everything employers need for effective UV protection in the workplace. Through comprehensive services and professional products, we support companies in offering optimal protection to every employee at risk. Our services include risk assessments and tailored protection concepts, as well as information materials and training sessions that teach employees on-site how to properly use UV protection products.

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