UV Protection: Safeguard Your Sight and Skin This Summer

Did you know that UV rays can cause damage even on cloudy days? Up to 80% of UV radiation passes through cloud cover, meaning workers can be exposed even when the sun isn’t shining brightly. And the surface of the eye is one of the most UV-sensitive parts of the human body—damage can occur in as little as 15 minutes without proper protection.

While heat exposure often dominates summer safety conversations, UV radiation is an equally serious hazard on outdoor jobsites. Whether employees are painting bridges, installing utilities, working on rooftops, or doing heavy highway work, they are consistently exposed to intense, cumulative UV rays—especially during peak daylight hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Prolonged UV exposure can lead to sunburn, skin damage, premature aging, and even skin cancer. For the eyes, repeated exposure without protection can cause photokeratitis (sunburn of the cornea), cataracts, and other degenerative eye conditions. Vision damage can affect hazard awareness, balance, depth perception, and reaction time, all of which are critical to working safely.

Workers are particularly vulnerable when working near reflective surfaces, such as concrete, glass, sand, metal, or water, which can magnify UV exposure. At elevation or in wide-open spaces, the effects are even more pronounced. Employers must address these risks head-on by implementing job-appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and sun safety protocols.

UV-blocking eyewear is often marketed with percentages, such as 99.1% UV protection. While this may seem sufficient, even 0.9% of UV rays reaching the eye can pose long-term exposure risks, especially for individuals who work outside daily. Look instead for glasses labeled 99.9% or 100% UV protection and that meet ANSI Z87.1 impact standards to ensure both sun and physical security.

In addition to UV eyewear, workers can protect themselves against the sun with:

• Hard Hat Neck Shade: Compatible with most standard hard hats, these shades protect the neck from harmful rays
• Ranger Sun Hat: This hat’s wide brim adds shade to the face and neck

Don’t forget that UV exposure contributes to overall body heat. A worker suffering from sunburn, eye strain, or dehydration is more likely to develop heat stress, reduce productivity, and make safety-critical errors.

Go beyond sunscreen. Make eye protection and sun-safe clothing a part of your safety strategy. The sun may be inevitable, but its harm is preventable.