Workplace sun protection policies and employees' sun-related skin damage

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether mandatory sun protection for outdoor workers in tropical regions is associated with reduced sun damage. METHODS: Survey of 26 employees working under mandatory sun protection policy was compared to survey of 21 employees working under voluntary sun protection policy. RESULTS: Voluntary sun protection associated with employees having more solar keratoses on dorsum of right hand (P=0.006) and more previously excised self-reported skin cancers (P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Employees working under mandatory sun protection policy had reduced sun damage, a likely consequence of less sun exposure.