Solar UV radiation exposure at outdoor work: evaluation and protective measures

Solar UV radiation exposure of outdoor workers depends on three primary factors:  (a) the ambient solar UV radiation, (b) the fraction of ambient exposure received on different anatomical sites, and (c) behavior and the duration spent outdoors.  Thus, hazard assessment for specific outdoor work environments can only be semi-quantitative.  A study of the worksite and tasks can provide an indication of individual worker exposure, but it is important to take into account that exposure will vary much with time-of-day and season.     The data on ambient UV radiation monitored in outdoor work environments are scanty.  Available studies have employed UV radiation sensitive dosimeters (e.g. film badges) or carried out determination of UV exposure by spectroradiometric measurements, modelling, or by a combination of both.  Recent studies show that indoor workers typically experience about 300 standard erythemal doses (SED) per year from solar exposure. (mostly from weekends and holidays).  Outdoor workers at the same latitudes receive about 5 times these exposure doses.      Examples of recent evaluations of outdoor workers'' UV exposure levels will be presented, as well as practical methods for skin and eye protection of workers.