In this blog, we are going to look a bit further into the dangers of being exposed to the harmful ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun for prolonged periods of time and how workers can protect themselves by wearing PULSAR® Polo Shirts when working outside.

We all love warm, sunny weather – particularly as it is famously hard to come by in the UK – but often forget that it is unhealthy for our skin to be exposed to the sun for prolonged periods of time. Obviously, those at most risk are the people who spend most or all of their working day outside, including people involved in the construction, railways, maintenance, local authority and utility sectors to name but a few. There are hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people across all industries that should be aware of the dangers that direct sunlight can carry.

People with particular facial features need to be even more cautious too. For example, those with fair or freckled skin that tend not to tan are more at risk to the dangers of harmful UV rays, as are people with fair or red hair, as well as light-coloured eyes. Any sign of burning or even a suntan, are signs that the sun is damaging the skin. It is therefore vital to regularly apply sunscreen to try and prevent burning.

Sunscreen isn’t the only way to protect yourself and your skin, there are many ways to protect yourself whilst working in direct sunlight. It may sound obvious but advice such as keeping hydrated with regular drinks of water and making sure you spend as much time in the shade as possible – particularly during lunch breaks – will all help reduce the risks that working in the sun can carry.

For further protection people should make sure the clothing they are wearing also protects them, and PULSAR® have developed a range of Polo Shirts to ensure the wearer is protected to the highest level whilst working in the sun throughout the day.

All PULSAR® Polo Shirts, which are available in both short and long sleeve designs as well as men’s and Ladies fit, are manufactured using fabrics with a Sun Protection Factor Rating (SPF) of 50+. SPF’s are rated on a scale from 2 to 50+ based on the level of the protection they offer, with 50+ offering the highest possible form of protection from potentially harmful UV rays. Yet another example of the PULSAR® philosophy of providing garments that don’t just meet certain criteria, they exceed them – prioritising the health and wellbeing of the wearer at all times, making sure they are as protected as they possibly can be.

Another key bit of advice for when you are working in the sun, published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), is that no matter how warm it gets, to make sure you keep your top on at all times in order to minimise the amount of sun hitting the skin directly – which can increase the risks of people developing skin diseases later in life, such as skin cancer. With this advice in mind when recently upgraded the polo shirts and incorporated underarm mesh ventilation in an attempt to keep the wearer stay cool and comfortable throughout the day, removing any need to take the polo shirt off in its entirety.

These two key features, combined with thermally applied stretchy reflective tape to increase flexibility and reduce any restriction in movement plus a stand-up knitted collar and knitted cuffs that provide optimal fit and comfort, ensure that people can be protected to the maximum from harmful UV rays emitted by the sun whilst also staying cool, comfortable and flexible.

Prioritising the comfort and safety of the wearer without compromise will always be paramount and the only way PULSAR® design, create and manufacture their Ladies and men’s fit high-performance apparel. Whether that be their innovative range of Flame Retardant, Anti-Static and Electric ARC clothing; the ground-breaking Evolution collection of Class 3 waterproof workwear or the Blizzard thermal clothing, that keeps the wearer warm to temperatures down to -15° during the cold, winter months.

Disclaimer: The information provided through Greenham Pulse is for general guidance only and is not legal advice. Greenham Pulse is not a substitute for Health and Safety consultancy. You should seek independent advice about any legal matter.