Many Employers Do Not Provide Outside Workers Sunscreen

Spring might seem like it has just begun, but the dog days of summer are right around the corner. Every year, it seems like there are fewer and fewer days of comfortable weather in the low-80s, and more and more of them in the scorching 90s. This is already hard enough to take for people who work indoors in the air-conditioning, but for those of us who spend the workday in the sun, it can be dangerous. Unfortunately, not everyone has an employer who protects them from the repercussions of this kind of work environment, and the results can be devastating.

The Danger of Working in the Sun All Day

Many people are already aware of the dangers associated with being outside in the sun for too long. In the short term, there is the risk for an annoying and painful sunburn. While not dangerous in and of itself, a sunburn can become infected if not treated properly, which can lead to further complications.

Unfortunately, a sunburn is not the only possible thing that you can suffer from too much time in the sun. Consistently exposing your skin to the sun for lengthy periods of time can put you at risk of developing skin cancer. Some forms of skin cancer, such as melanoma, can even be fatal. In fact, an estimated 10,130 people will die of melanoma in 2016 alone.

Many Occupations Require Workers to Be in the Sun All Day

Despite the risk of severe skin conditions, many people do not have a choice as to whether to be outside on a really sunny day – their paycheck depends on it. Whether you work as a construction worker or a landscaper or a lifeguard, your job requires you to be out in the sun all day long.

Many Employers Do Not Offer Protection from the Sun

Unfortunately, many employers who pay their workers to be outside all day in the spring and summer do not provide the protection that these workers need to avoid a potentially serious skin condition.

In one survey done by Deb Group and Harris Poll, no fewer than 71% of respondents who worked outside more than half of the time while on the clock said that their employer did not provide sunscreen for them to use. With many of these occupations paying so little, it does not come as a surprise that those who have to provide their own sunscreen often fail to do so – only 18% of the respondents in the poll said that they always wear sunscreen while on the job.

Maryland Personal Injury Attorneys

The long-term effect of consistent sun exposure can have a serious impact on your skin and your overall health. If you work outside, but your employer is not providing you with the protection that your body needs to avoid a skin condition from the sun, then you should contact a personal injury attorney who can make sure you get the compensation that you deserve. Contact the Baltimore law office of Gilman & Bedigian at (800) 529-6162 or online.