Background
The European Union (EU) is facing an increasing threat to the occupational health and safety (OSH) of its workforce due to the rising frequency and intensity of extreme weather conditions. These are a direct consequence of global climate change, which is altering weather patterns and exacerbating natural hazards across the globe. Workers, in consequence, face new and amplified risks within their professional environments. The rise in average ambient temperatures, heightened exposure to solar UVR due to changing atmospheric conditions, alterations in typical patterns of air pollution, and the direct impacts of extreme weather events are all contributing to a growing concern for the overall well-being of workers throughout the EU. An additional related deficit is the lack of EU rules on natural solar UVR (sunlight) exposure at work. Although skin cancer is a risk for outdoor workers under intense sun (exacerbated by heat and clear skies), the EU’s Optical Radiation Directive 2006/25/EC deliberately excluded sunlight, leaving it to national decisions. (The effects of extreme weather conditions on workers’ health and safety, Policy Department for Transport, Employment and Social Affairs of European Parliament, November 2025)
Objectives
Development of a standardised quantitative measurement methodology / protocol for UVR exposure of outdoor workers.
Target groups
This project targets workers, occupational safety and health professionals, researchers, policy makers, representative of workers and employers who are particularly exposed to heat
Deliverables
- A standardized protocol for UVR exposure of outdoor workers · A peer-reviewed article or brief national fact sheets
- A proposal for a new work item within the framework of a standardization committee. · A workshop with the finding’s presentation and discussion.
Research methods
- Review and compile all the different existing methodologies for measuring exposure to solar UVR at work from scientific literature, standards and best practices
- Compare these methodologies taking into account working conditions in different sectors, at least across Europe
- Develop a common, consensus-based standardized measurement protocol.
Scientific relevance
Currently, the are a wide range of methodologies for describing UV radiation exposure, including:
- Qualitative methods, based on specific questionnaires, whose limitations must be considered; such as reliance on self-reported data and potential social desirability bias when answering questions, even anonymously.
- Quantitative methods, divided into two types: publications that described exposure via numerical models and those that took either environmental or personal measurements to describe exposure (Study of occupational exposure to ultraviolet solar radiation of fishing vessels, INSST, October 2024).
As part of EPOS PEROSH, we have exchanged information about research activities carried out by each member. Regarding solar UVR exposure, each organization applied its own methodology. Having a standardized methodology would allow all stakeholders making measurements, with results more reproducible and comparable between different studies.
Practical and societal relevance
The projects results will improve:
- Protection of workers’ health
- Prevention of long-term illnesses
- Benefits for sectors involving outdoor workers (agriculture, construction, maintenance, gardening, street cleaning, fishing, transport, tourism and others)
- Evidence-based decisions
- Application to public policies
Project leader
Silvia Torres (INSST)
silvia.torres@insst.mites.gob.es
Project participants
- David Vernez, Unisanté
- Guseva-Canu Irina, Unisanté
- Dr Jacek Kubica, CIOP
- Ms Agnieszka Greszta, CIOP
- Jose Hernán Alfonso, STAMI
- Emmerich Kitz, AUVA
- Andrea Militello, INAIL
- Massimo Borra, INAIL
- Timo Heepenstrick, IFA
- Dr Evi Georgiadou, ELINYAE
- Stefan Bauer, BAuA
- EPOS PEROSH members (BAuA, AUVA, CIOP-PIB, IFA, INAIL, and INRS)
