The majority of our clients are Tradies and that often means working outdoors in our very sunny climate ‒ a blessing and a challenge all in one. Not only can the heat be overwhelming with tired eyes after all that glare, but there is unrelenting UV the whole day.
Choosing the right kind of work clothes, like Hard Yakka work pants, adds to your comfort on site, your ability to work effectively as well as your protection from UV.
UV Facts
As we all know, spring and summer bring the highest doses of UV and, unluckily for outdoor workers, the highest risk time is from 10am to 4pm. Some of us still battle to accept that a cloudy day also comes with up to an 80% UV risk.
Did you know that sweating makes you more prone to UV damage and burning? It increases the photosensitivity of the areas of skin that has sweat on it.
Research has shown that time in UV contributes toward sunburn, sun poisoning and skin cancer. Unfortunately, increased sunshine hours are what the construction industry needs, so UV exposure is unavoidable.
Therefore, using work clothing and work pants that allow you to work easily whilst protecting you from work-related injury and sun damage is imperative.
Skin Cancer
The prevalence of skin cancer is higher than most of us wish to believe. There are more cases diagnosed each year than the combined total of other cancers.
The two highest contributors to skin cancers are UVA and UVB light rays. Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays are suspected to be the greater risk and are around all year long.
Skin cancers commonly diagnosed are Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Melanomas. The latter is the most dangerous but is the least prevalent.
Not All Doom & Gloom
Whilst it’s important to be cautious, it is unnecessary to become too gloomy about it because there are simple, effective ways to counteract the UV attack.
The most effective way is to stop the sun’s access to your skin with the following:
- Stay undercover whenever possible, e.g. eat or take calls in the shade.
- Wear appropriate clothing.
- Include gloves in your clothing selection.
- Different clothing products offer different degrees of UV protection:
- Yarn, weave and colour affect UV absorption;
- The fabric of a white cotton singlet or t-shirt gives you SPF7 protection,
- If the above shirt is wet, protection reduces to SPF3.
- A long-sleeved shirt and long Hard Yakka work pants with closely-knit, durable, dense fabric in darker colours offer the best protection.
Some apparel comes with added UV protection because of the treatments applied to the fabric. Hard Yakka, for example, offers ultraviolet protection. Look out for their garments that list a 50+ rating if you want the maximum protection. This rating is aligned to the AS/NZS 4399:1996 Sun Protection Clothing Classification.
Protect yourself against injury, UV damage and discomfort by ordering Hard Yakk work pants from Stitchem today!