Open AccessWhat Encourages Sun Protection among Outdoor Workers from Four Industries?
Author(s) -
Janda Monika,
Stoneham Melissa,
Youl Philippa,
Crane Phil,
Sendall Marguerite C,
Tenkate Thomas,
Kimlin Michael
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of occupational health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 1348-9585
DOI - 10.1539/joh.13-0179-oa
Subject(s) - directory , personal protective equipment , government (linguistics) , business , work (physics) , sun protection , telephone interview , environmental health , occupational safety and health , medicine , engineering , sociology , covid-19 , social science , linguistics , philosophy , disease , pathology , computer science , infectious disease (medical specialty) , operating system , mechanical engineering
What Encourages Sun Protection among Outdoor Workers from Four Industries?: Monika JANDA, et al . School of Public Health and Social Work, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Australia—Objectives We aimed to identify current practice of sun protection and factors associated with effective use in four outdoor worker industries in Queensland, Australia. Methods Workplaces in four industries with a high proportion of outdoor workers (building/construction, rural/farming, local government, and public sector industries) were identified using an online telephone directory, screened for eligibility, and invited to participant via mail (n=15, recruitment rate 37%). A convenience sample of workers were recruited within each workplace (n=162). Workplaces' sun protective policies and procedures were identified using interviews and policy analysis with workplace representatives, and discussion groups and computer‐assisted telephone interviews with workers. Personal characteristics and sun protection knowledge, attitudes and behaviors were collated and analysed. Results Just over half the workplaces had an existing policy which referred to sun protection (58%), and most provided at least some personal protective equipment (PPE), but few scheduled work outside peak sun hours (43%) or provided skin checks (21%). Several worker and workplace characteristics were associated with greater sun protection behaviour among workers, including having Received education on the use of PPE ( p <0.001), being concerned about being in the sun ( p =0.002); and working in a smaller workplace ( p =0.035). Conclusions Uptake of sun protection by outdoor workers is affected by a complex interplay of both workplace and personal factors, and there is a need for effective strategies targeting both the workplace environment and workers' knowledge, attitudes and behaviors to decrease harmful sun exposure further.