Page 42 - OHS, June 2020

HEAT STRESS
thinking “Whatever, man, my suntan is a badge of honor” after reading the above, you are not cool—you are stupid. Not sorry.
And the experts at OSHA agree, recom- mending the following for sun-exposed workers:
■ Cover up with loose-fitting, long- sleeve shirts and pants
■ Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30
■ Wear a wide brim hat to protect neck, ears, eyes, forehead, nose and scalp
■ Wear UV-absorbent sunglasses
■ Limit exposure—UV rays are most
intense between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Sunscreen
We know, you’ve heard this from your mother before. But, the fact of the matter is, sunscreen is the most important mea- sure for proper sun damage prevention. To understand how it works, we must un- derstand what Sun Protection Factor (or SPF) means. Varying SPFs block incre- mental amounts of UVA and UVB rays, with the number representing how many times longer a person can remain in the sun without burning.
What’s the difference between the two? UVA rays penetrate harmful photons deep- er into the skin to cause premature aging and immunologic problems, while shorter UVB rays are what damage DNA and give way to skin cancer. Not all sunscreens pro- tect against both, so be sure to look for ones labeled “broad spectrum.”
Sunscreen should be thoroughly ap- plied to exposed skin prior to going outside, and reapplication should occur every two hours. The Center for Disease Control recommends all skin types use at least 15 SPF, which blocks 93 percent of UV rays. The fairer your skin, the higher SPF you should use—with SPF 50 block- ing up to 98 percent. Luckily for those who don’t like the feel of traditional lo- tions, sunscreen also comes in easy-ap- ply sticks and sprays.
Sun Protective Clothing
Clothing labeled with a significant ultravio- let protective factor (UPF) is another cru- cial (and relatively easy) preventative mea- sure. UPF differs from SPF because 1) it’s for clothing and 2) it always protects from both UVA and UVB rays. The rating scale is a bit different as well, with the number directly correlating with the amount of UV it blocks.
For example, 50 UPF means only one fiftieth of the sun’s rays will pass through the fabric. UPF clothing comes in just about every style these days and, for those who really want to beat the heat, there are more advanced options with activated cool- ing technology. Unobtrusive UPF head- wear, bands, and sleeves are worthwhile additions for any outdoor worker.
Polarized Sunglasses
And jeepers creepers, don’t forget about those peepers. While ocular melanoma is not associated with sun exposure, UV ray damage can increase odds of developing eyelid cancer and serious eyesight-im- pairing conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration.
According to the American Optomet- ric Association, sunglasses should block 99 to 100 percent of UV rays. Polarized lenses can offer even more protection by re- ducing glare and eye fatigue around water, snow and other bright environments. And with new generations of safety glasses look- ing and performing more like athletic eye- wear, you’ll look and feel good using them.
7 PM
www.ohsonline.com
Realistic HazMat Training Without the Risk.
Give trainees hands-on HazMat response training without the danger. LION HazMat Training tools include the GasTrainerTM, which allows trainees to practice responding to Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) emergencies with a four-gas meter that detects simulated gas clouds created by GasSource emitters.
WWW.LIONPROTECTS.COM/GASTRAINER
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Circle 19 on card.