Helping Employees Stay Sun-Safe All Year Long

Whether at work, commuting, running errands, or spending time outdoors, ultraviolet (UV) rays can still affect skin, eyes, and overall health, even in cloudy or cool conditions. UV Awareness Month, recognized in July, is a timely reminder for employers to reinforce sun-safety practices as part of a broader employee wellness strategy. Because UV rays are the leading cause of most skin cancers, supporting daily sun protection is important not only during summer, but year-round. Skin cancer is also the most common type of cancer in the United States and Canada, and employers can play an important role by helping employees understand UV risks, access protective resources, and build sun-safe habits at work and beyond.

Understanding UV Rays

UV rays are a form of invisible radiation emitted by the sun, as well as by artificial sources such as tanning beds and sunlamps. They can harm your skin and eyes, even if you can’t see them or feel their effects right away. There are three types of UV rays.

• UVA rays contribute to skin aging and wrinkling and can damage skin cells in ways that may lead to cancer.
• UVB rays are the primary cause of sunburn, damaging the skin’s outer layers. Exposure is linked to most skin cancers.
• UVC rays are the most dangerous type, but they’re absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere and do not reach the ground.

For employers, reminders such as the following can help guide wellness messaging, work planning, outdoor break practices, and safety conversations.

• UV rays peak between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• UV rays are more intense during the spring and summer months.
• UV exposure increases the closer you are to the equator.
• UV levels are higher at higher elevations.
• UV rays can reflect off surfaces such as water, sand, snow, and cement.

Why UV Protection Matters for Employee Wellness

Unprotected UV exposure can contribute to health concerns that affect comfort, productivity, and long-term well-being. Employers can support employees by building awareness around these risks and making prevention easier during the workday, especially for outdoor workers or employees who travel, commute, or take breaks outside. The risks listed below highlight why sun safety should be treated as both a health education topic and a workplace wellness priority.

• Sunburn: When the skin’s natural pigment, melanin, cannot absorb UV rays effectively, sunburn can occur, causing pain, redness, and sometimes blistering.
• Premature aging: UV damage can lead to visible signs of skin aging, including freckles, brown spots, wrinkles, collagen loss, and widened small blood vessels.

• Cataracts and other eye problems: UV exposure can harm vision and may contribute to cataracts, eye pain, general eye damage, and other vision concerns.
• Skin cancer: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the three main types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Early detection is important because it can improve treatment outcomes. Among these, melanoma is generally considered the most serious type.

Employer Strategies to Support Sun Safety

Employers can help reduce UV-related risks by making sun safety visible, accessible, and easy to practice throughout the workday. Consider the following strategies to support employees in building consistent sun-safe habits:

• Educate employees on everyday sun-safety habits—Use wellness campaigns, safety meetings, onboarding materials, and seasonal reminders to reinforce simple steps such as wearing sunscreen, choosing protective clothing and equipment, drinking enough water, taking breaks in shaded or cool areas, and avoiding indoor tanning.
• Make shade part of the work environment—Provide shaded or indoor break areas when possible and encourage their use during peak UV hours. For outdoor worksites, consider practical shade options such as tents, shelters, trees, or umbrellas.  
• Plan work with UV exposure in mind—When feasible, schedule outdoor tasks earlier or later in the day, rotate employees to reduce prolonged exposure, and build in breaks during the strongest UV periods, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Support protective clothing choices—Encourage or provide breathable clothing, long sleeves, long pants, cover-ups, or other job-appropriate apparel that helps shield skin from UV rays. Remind employees that wet clothing may offer less protection and that darker colors often block more UV rays than lighter colors.
• Encourage the right hat or head covering—Where job duties and safety requirements allow, promote wide-brimmed hats or other head coverings that help protect the face, ears, and neck. For worksites requiring hard hats or other equipment, consider compatible sun-protection options.
• Promote eye protection—Encourage sunglasses or safety eyewear that blocks both UVA and UVB rays when appropriate for the job. Eye protection can help reduce UV-related risks and support comfort for employees who spend time outdoors.
• Make sunscreen easy to access—If feasible, provide or encourage broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 in convenient locations, such as break rooms, outdoor work areas, vehicles, or wellness stations. Remind employees to apply sunscreen before going outdoors and reapply every two hours, or more often when sweating or getting wet.
• Encourage regular skin checks—Use wellness campaigns to remind employees to check their skin for new, changing, or unusual spots and to consult a health care provider with concerns. Employers can also promote preventive care benefits, annual wellness visits, or skin cancer screening resources when available.

Protection from UV and the sun isn’t just seasonal. UV exposure can add up over time, and employers can help make sun safety part of everyday wellness by combining education, supportive policies, accessible resources, and a work environment that makes healthy choices easier.

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  Ashton Sholund

  Associate Director, Wellness Education and Content

  Wellness Alliance

  As a Wellness Content and Information Specialist at the Wellness Alliance, Ashton is passionate about supporting employee well-being and advancing workplace wellness initiatives. With over 12 years of experience as a certified health coach, Ashton has worked extensively in the worksite wellness sector, empowering individuals and organizations to prioritize health and create sustainable wellness strategies. Outside of work, she enjoys group exercise classes and participating in a monthly book club to nurture both her physical and mental well-being.