Staying skin safe
As we start seeing the beginnings of summer and our sun exposure slowly increases, colleagues should note that working outdoors in hot weather can pose a number of health issues.
With temperatures set to rise in May it is important that we reiterate key messages to all our employees around following straightforward health guidance to keep ourselves safe and well in the sun to avoid dehydration, heat exhaustion and skin cancer.
When working outside, particularly on walks, it’s important to keep protected in longer periods of sun exposure.
The first line of defence is to cover up – wear loose, cool clothing to keep the sun off your skin. Royal Mail provides colleagues with a choice of uniform that is made from British Dermatological Association-approved sun safe materials to protect skin from sun exposure and wide-brim hats made of the same materials are also available.
- Protect your head with a hat (preferably with a wide brim) and sunglasses
- To prevent dehydration, drink plenty of fluids such as water, diluted squash or fruit juice
- Most of the time, you can prevent dehydration by drinking water regularly throughout the day, especially in hot weather and when working outdoors
- Use a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 and reapply every two hours in high temperatures
- Seek shade on your break and come out of the sun when it’s at its hottest.
Colleagues affected by hayfever can ease symptoms by following some of the following tips:
- Be prepared and monitor the pollen count
- Put Vaseline around your nostrils to help trap pollen
- Wear wraparound sunglasses to prevent pollen from getting into your eyes
- Shower and change your clothes after you've been outside to wash pollen off
- Keep windows and doors shut as much as possible.
A pharmacist can help with hayfever. They can give advice and suggest the best treatments, like antihistamine drops, tablets or nasal sprays to help with itchy and watery eyes and sneezing; and/or a blocked nose.
